Vel Murugan Soda Nilayam

Vel Murugan Soda Nilayam is over at No:25C on West Madha Street in Thiruvotrriyur. It’s a local spot where we make soda, and it’s been part of the street for a good while. The shop isn't much to look at from the outside, but inside we are always busy with the carbonation machines. Making soda is a bit of an art, though mostly it’s just about getting the pressure right and making sure the bottles are clean. The street outside is usually full of people going to the temple or the local shops, so there is a constant hum of activity. We have a small team, mostly family and a couple of neighbors who help out. We don’t have a big marketing plan; we just sell to the local shops and people who stop by. Sometimes the CO2 tanks are hard to get or a batch doesn't turn out quite right, and we just have to start over. It's the kind of work where you get your hands dirty and you’re on your feet all day. We like the rhythm of it, though. It’s a simple life on West Madha Street, and we are just happy to keep the machines running and the bottles filled. We don't need fancy offices to do what we do. We just focus on the gas and the glass, and making sure the crates are ready for the morning deliveries.