A vanishing profession

I had almost forgotten about them, until I found him in a
narrow lane in Dharmtala, Kolkata. He was soliciting to fluff up
the pillows and mattresses by pulling out its cotton and beating
it up with his stringed tool. The last I saw someone do that was in 1960's or 70's (may be).
The Stringed tool makes a distinct noise like a bass player's. It alerts
other housewives in the neighborhood, in case they need his services too.

(best seen in original size)