On Nayaks road Kasaragode
is the Dinesh beedi factory.
A beedi is an Indian style
country cigarette, cleverly
crafted from a Tendu leaf,
filled with tobacco flakes
and tied shut with a cotton
thread.
It's the working mans best
cigarette and used by tens
of crores.
Firstly the Tendu leaf
is cut to shape using
a metal template.
These leaves are
imported from Gujarat
and come from the East
Indian Ebony tree.
(Diospyros Melanoxylon)
Then the rolling begins with
each operative producing on
average 1000 beedi per day.
This Co-Op workforce seems
happy in their jobs and aren't
contracted to piece work.
Handling ounces of tobacco
dust soaks into their fingertips
giving an all day high.
Meet the Ladies and watch
them roll in this short film
(Duration 2 min 40 sec)
Love from X RJB X