Khaniya Painter

If you look for us in Jacombpura, you’ll find our spot right near the Shri Guru Ravidas Mandir. It’s a quiet enough area, though you can hear the temple bells ringing during the morning and evening prayers. We spend most of our time out on painting jobs, but this is where Khaniya Painter keeps all the supplies. There are brushes of all sizes soaking in tins and old drop cloths piled up in the corner. The floor has spills of different colors from years of work, which actually looks kind of nice in a messy way. People around Jacombpura know us pretty well. They often stop by to ask questions about colors or just to say hello while they are on their way to the Mandir. We don't have a big sign or anything, just the usual tools of the trade sitting around. My clothes usually have a few paint spots on them by the end of the shift, but that’s just how it goes in this line of work. It’s a small operation, mostly just us and a couple of helpers when things get busy. We carry the ladders on top of the small van and head out early in the morning. Coming back here in the evening feels good after a long day of work. We lock up the supplies and head home. It’s simple work, but it keeps us busy and we like being part of the local scene here near the temple.