Dhoby Khana Public Laundry
Kerala · India
The Dhoby Khana Public Laundry in Kochi India was founded in the early 1700's for purpose of cleaning laundry at a central community location. At this Laundry facility, the washing of clothes is performed in the old traditional way - manually by hand. This manual method of cleaning clothes has not changed for centuries at Dhoby Khana. The place is a coop laundry with a building set for ironing laundry, another with "cells" containing a concrete wash basin and a slab to slap the fabric during cleaning, and then a field of clothe lines. Each worker gets to set his own clothe line made of braided coir fiber. The strands are opened to set the clothes on the line without using pins. Everything is done by hand here and it is hard work. The establishment started in the 18th century during the Dutch rule for their military in order to wash military uniforms. The ancestors of the workmen belongs to Tamilnadu. Friendly community that was more than happy to let you try using their hot iron press.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Dhoby Khana Public Laundry
Good day. I am Professor Sterling, and we are visiting the Dhoby Khana, Kochi's historic communal laundry. …
Listen in the app2The Washing Cubicles — Rhythmic Toil
As we move into the heart of the Dhoby Khana, we see the individual washing cubicles where each worker has their 'spot'. Here, the 'washers endlessly repeat the same identical gestures' to achieve 'bursting white linen'. …
Listen in the app3The Drying Fields — Rows of White
Leaving the cubicles, we emerge into the drying fields, where 'endless rows of bursting white linen' are hung under the 'bright sun'. A unique aspect here is that 'no clips are needed' to hold the clothes. …
Listen in the app4The Ironing Rooms — Final Finishing
After the linen is dry, it is taken to the ironing rooms for the final touch. Here, the 'Dhoby Khana' cleaners use 'cold irons' and 'coal irons' to press the fabric into 'tightly bent' bundles. …
Listen in the app5A Generational Legacy — Fathers to Sons
The 'Dhoby Khana' is more than just a place of work; it is a 'heritage structure' of the 'Jew community' and other 'diverse cultures' in the sense of being a 'protected' way of life. The 'ancestors' brought from 'Tamil Nadu' have…
Listen in the app6A Day in the Life — Sunrise to Sunset
The cycle of work here begins 'as soon as the sun rises' and often continues until 'seven or nine' in the evening. The 'washers' go 'round coaching to collect the new mounts of linen' and then spend their day in the 'movement' of…
Listen in the app7Sustainable Traditions in a Modern World
In a world of industrial machines, the 'Dhoby Khana' stands as a 'stunning' example of 'non-violence' toward the environment by using 'natural light' and 'coconut fiber ropes'. This 'magnificent and intricate' system has been…
Listen in the app8Closing
We conclude our visit to the Dhoby Khana, a 'vibrant' and 'stunning' witness to the 'ancestors' who have 'held Kerala close to their hearts'. This 'silent space' of labor has taught us about 'harmony,' 'non-violence,' and the…
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What is Dhoby Khana Public Laundry?
Dhoby Khana Public Laundry is a place in Kerala · India with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Kerala · India |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 9.9621, 76.2433 |
| Last updated |
