Dhaka at its core has quite a bit of history. For many of us, New Market, as popular as it is with retailers, brings back many fond memories. In our attempt to navigate through nostalgia and history, we found an interesting store in New Market, Bashir Uddin Tailors and Fabrics – this is the story of a sartorial pedigree.

Bashir Uddin starts

Bashir Uddin built his tailoring business in the 1950s, which later became a famous tailoring brand to this day.

The shop has a very loyal customer base, affirming generations of the same family who prefer this historic location for its unique and detailed work.

After the death of Bashir Uddin, only two of his sons, Abdul Hai and Abdus Salam, tried to take the business forward. Abdul Hai had a place on Bangabandhu Avenue in the late 80s for a while, but not everything went well. Ultimately, Abdus Salam managed to carry on his father’s legacy and keep the business running, which is “Bashir Uddin Tailors and Fabrics” of New Market as we know it today.

Sewn in the family

The company is currently run by two brothers who are grandsons of Bashir Uddin. Md Harun, the elder brother, and Md Hasan are the two faces of the workshop apart from the five tailors who work in the factory.

The two brothers carry out two very different tasks to keep the business running. Hasan, the youngest, has been in the business for the past 15 years, since finishing university. He runs the administrative, logistical, financial and other aspects of the business and being as busy as they are, it is a challenge.

Harun, on the other hand, had the opportunity to learn from his father, and he is directly involved in the work that makes Bashir Uddin Tailors a success.

The cut and the stitch

Bashir Uddin Tailors and Fabrics is known for making panjabis, but they also make coatees, sherwanis, kabli sets, etc.

“It’s about how we cut the pieces. Let me reiterate that we are known for making panjabis and the way we cut the pieces is unique. I have seen how others do it and it is not the same,” said Harun, the tailor tailor who is part of the business since 1993.

“So it’s just the cuts?” I asked curiously and Harun pulled out a freshly finished panjabi from under his counter. “Look at the dots,” he asked, and I leaned closer to get a better look. Even for a layman like me, with no experience in sewing or tailoring, the difference was unmistakable.

“These stitches are sewn by hand. It is one of our specialties and you can tell just by looking at them. Other tailors cannot do this,” he says proudly. “You can even hand-stitch a whole panjabi if you want,” she added, confirming what I’d been thinking: It’s the sartorial equivalent of a secret recipe.

Popular across generations

Nurul Amin Sentu is the oldest living tailor who has been involved in this business. He worked with Bashir Uddin himself and later with his son, Abdus Salam. Learn about the unique styles this business offers. Even in retirement, he sometimes visits the New Market store; for a love that only 50 years of work together can build.

“I have designed panjabis for at least one president of the country. Countless other political people and bigwigs always came to the store, and I also made designs for them,” he recalled. “Politically and historically important people in the history of Bangladesh, from any party, name them; we have accommodated many of them.”

“Sometimes a lot of these people would come with their kids to the store and that’s how those kids get to know us,” Sentu added, saying that the two brothers who run the business are currently doing well and he’s happy to see that the legacy continues. .

“I know your store because I got married wearing a sherwani that my father gave you,” said a customer, and Harun was practically smiling in admiration.

Nowadays, many prefer to buy ready-made panjabis, but Bashir Uddin Tailors never had to worry about losing customers.

Take the Eid season for example. They stop accepting orders between the 8th and 10th of Ramadan and are busy the rest of the month trying to deliver the 1,500 or so orders on time. At least 150 orders are pretty normal in any average month. His rates, although higher than most other tailors, were never a problem for his loyal customers.

Future thoughts

While the two brothers are doing a great job keeping the business alive, knowing its history and legacy, one has to wonder what the future holds. The unique cuts and points that Bashir Uddin has conveyed are now known only to a few.

Hasan, the younger brother, who looks after the administrative side of the business, wants to learn the tricks of the trade.

“My brother does most of the cutting and stuff. I’ve been involved in the business since 2008. I learned a couple of things, but there are a lot of other things I need to take care of, so that’s it. But I want to learn more,” said the young man.

“It’s a family business and the way we do it is unique. Naturally, I want it to continue, that’s why I want to teach it to my younger brother. And my son, although he is young, I would love for him to take up the family business when he is older “added Harun, the couturier.

If you’re a younger customer, maybe you can check them out to see what all the fuss is about. However, if you are one of the long-standing customers, this is your reminder that Bashir Uddin Tailors and Fabrics is not only alive but also proudly maintaining its legacy.