Partha Sarathi Ceramics

Setting up shop at 4 College Street in Bowbazar was a choice we made years ago. Being right near the medical college means there are always students and doctors rushing past our door. It’s a busy part of town, very old and full of history. We deal with ceramics, so there’s always a bit of grit on the floor no matter how much we sweep. The boxes of tiles are heavy, and we spend a good chunk of our time moving them from the back to the front. We don't have any fancy displays with bright lights or expensive decor. Most of our stock is just piled up where we can reach it. It’s a practical way of working. Sometimes the rain makes the street outside really muddy, and we have to be careful about people tracking it in. We know the other shopkeepers around here pretty well. We share news and sometimes a cup of tea when the afternoon lull hits. Partha Sarathi Ceramics isn't a high-end showroom, just a solid place where people come when they need something specific for their house. We don’t use scripts or anything when people walk in. We just ask them what they’re looking for and see if we have it in the stacks. It’s a straightforward way to earn a living in a very crowded part of the city. We close the doors around seven and head home like everyone else after a long day of lifting.