Surya Masala

Opening up here in Bandlaguda starts early, usually before the sun gets too hot. We are right by the R C Imarat Post Office, so there is always people coming and going with their mail. It’s a bit of a dusty spot but we like it here. Surya Masala isn't some giant factory with shiny walls. It is mostly just us working with the machines and making sure the spice mixes get done right. Sometimes the smell of the chilies gets so strong everyone in the building starts sneezing, but that's just part of the day. We spend a lot of time cleaning the grinders because the turmeric stains everything yellow if you aren't careful. My hands are usually stained by noon. People in the neighborhood know the smell of our place. We don't have a big sign or anything, just the address 2-896-745/1. It’s a practical space. We pack the bags, stack them up, and wait for the transport guys to show up. The post office workers sometimes stop by to say hello or complain about the heat. It’s just a normal business doing its thing. No one here wears a suit. We just wear old clothes that can get dirty. That’s how it goes in this part of town. It is simple work, really. You take the raw stuff, grind it down, and put it in a packet. Nothing fancy about it. It’s just what we do.