Top tailor (85) will be dearly missed
The son of a top Roodepoort tailor, who passed away recently, has an amazing story to tell.
A well-known and prominent tailor on the West Rand passed away in April.
Born on 5 June 1928, Bhagwan Rama (85) served Roodepoort by tailoring clothes at 4 Croft Street in the CBD from the tender age of 10. Bhagwan’s son Dhiraj Rama shared some precious information and photos about Bhagwan’s life with the Record.
According to Dhiraj, Bhagwan passed away on 18 April following a recurrent lung infection. “He remained in ICU for nearly 75 days but never recovered.
“The shop on Croft Street opened its doors nearly 100 years ago and my father’s father joined the business as a tailor.
“Their meticulous attention to detail was well appreciated by the community.”
Dhiraj explained that in the afternoons after school Bhagwan joined his father at High Class Tailors where he learnt the craft of tailoring. High Class Tailors was registered as R Bhagwan & Sons and residents frequently begged Bhagwan to sell the old clock in the shop that dated back to the early 1950s. There also was a fashion designer frame in the shop that dated back to 1923.
“He was an impeccable tailor who showed profound craftsmanship.
“I’m sure he had sewn many wedding suits for the grandfathers of current Roodepoort citizens.
“Customers from across the country regularly visited him to share stories of him clothing them during their childhood days.”
Dhiraj says that tailoring is a dying trade and that Bhagwan was considered the last of the professional tailors “who could personally sew any garment ordered from basic material to a final outfit.
“He was an ardent reader of the Record and an article on High Class Tailors, which reflected its history, was documented in the Record early in 1980.
“Resident admired his modesty and empathy, and I believe his craftsmanship with clothing will be sorely missed.”
Dhiraj’s mother Leealavati Rama (79) always accompanied and supported her husband in the business.
“My mother has been overwhelmed with condolences and messages of support and she would like to thank residents for their support over the years.”
Dhiraj says that unfortunately the business closed after his father passed away.
“Bhagwan Rama will be missed dearly, not only by his family but also by his customers and acquaintances.”
