Kharol Painter

It gets pretty dusty here on Jaipur Road, especially with the traffic coming through Agra Gate all day long. My name is Kharol and I’ve been doing painting work around Hathi Bhata for quite a while now. Most days start early before the sun gets too hot over Sardar Gali. I usually have a few guys with me, carrying heavy ladders and big cans of paint from one house to another. It isn't fancy work, but it keeps the walls looking decent. People stop by the shop to ask about colors or just to see when we’re free for a job. Sometimes we’re busy with a big project for weeks, and other times it’s just small repairs for a neighbor. I’ve spent a lot of time on top of scaffolding, looking down at the street. You get used to the smell of thinner and wet plaster after a few years in this trade. My hands are almost always stained with some kind of primer or oil paint that won't come off easily. We just get on with it, making sure the edges are straight and the customer doesn't have a mess to clean up when we leave. It’s a simple living. If you walk past the gate, you’ll probably see us sorting through brushes or mixing a fresh batch of lime wash for a backyard wall. The weather in Ajmer can be rough on exterior paint, so there is always someone needing a fresh coat.