Manoharam

Our place, which we call Manoharam, is tucked away right behind Jama Masjid at house number 1032-A. If you’ve ever walked through this part of Old Delhi, you know how narrow and winding the lanes can be. You can smell the spices and the fresh food from the nearby stalls all day long. It’s a very old and historic area, and our building has that same worn, aged feel to it. We don't have a big, bright sign out front, just a simple door that leads directly into our workspace. Inside, it’s usually a bit of a mess with various materials and old tools scattered around the floor. We actually like it that way because it means we are staying busy with work. The noise of the rickshaws and the crowds of people walking to the mosque is a constant background sound for us. We start our day quite early, usually around the same time the local tea shops nearby begin opening their shutters. There isn't much space for a big office, so we just make do with the small room we have. We sit on low stools and work on whatever needs to be finished that day. Sometimes the heat in the narrow lanes is quite difficult, but the thick stone walls of this old building keep it a little cooler for us inside. It’s a traditional way of working that hasn't changed much since we first opened our door here.