Lakshmi Narayan has restored typewriters in Chamrajpet for over five decades

For over five decades, Chamrajpet resident Lakshmi Narayan has kept the traditional mechanical typewriter alive in Bengaluru by repairing, restoring, and teaching typing from his local workshop. Since 1973, Narayan has dedicated his life to preserving these vintage machines, servicing multilingual models in English, Kannada, Tamil, Hindi, and Urdu, as well as imported European typewriters.

Narayan's lifelong profession began with an apprenticeship at the Bengaluru Industrial Trading Company, where he trained on Halda typewriters. He also taught typing classes alongside his wife at the Sathish Institute of Commerce. Over the last 50 years, this profession has allowed him to secure a home and earn a steady livelihood in the city.

Inside his modest Chamrajpet workshop, shelves are packed with typewriting machines of every kind. Narayan spends his days dismantling aging devices, cleaning years of dust with oil and kerosene, and replacing worn-out parts. Because spare parts are difficult to find, he frequently salvages components from broken machines to bring other units back to working condition.

While many view the typewriter as a museum piece, Narayan continues to attract a diverse clientele. His customers include collectors searching for antique Remingtons and imported Olivers, as well as hobbyists, colleges, and first-time buyers. Additionally, students still enroll in typing classes because certain government posts continue to require certified typing skills in English and Kannada.

Refurbished machines from his workshop typically sell for prices ranging between ₹6,000 and ₹15,000. However, rare models, such as Tamil typewriters, can fetch several lakhs.

To keep pace with modern technology, Narayan has shifted his business marketing. He now uses WhatsApp, JustDial, and OLX instead of newspaper advertisements to share photographs of his restored machines, allowing him to reach customers across India.

According to Narayan, the profession is rapidly shrinking. He estimates that there are only about 50 typewriter mechanics left in the state of Karnataka. Despite the decline of the trade, he continues his daily work in Chamrajpet, offering to teach anyone who is interested in learning the craft.