Lala Ji Seesan Wale

Lala Ji Seesan Wale is located deep inside Shivaji Market, specifically in the area known as Prajapati Katla within Shivaji Bazar. This part of the city is near the Old Subji Mandi, which means it is a maze of narrow lanes and old buildings that have been standing for decades. Our shop is one of those places that you might miss if you aren't looking for it, but we have been here long enough that most locals know the way. We deal with glass and mirrors, so the inside of the shop is always filled with reflections and large crates of flat glass leaning against the walls. It is heavy, fragile work, and we spend a lot of our time carefully cutting and moving pieces around the cramped space. The market outside is always full of life, with people walking by and the sound of other traders going about their business. We don't have a fancy showroom with bright lights. Most of the time, the air is a bit cool and damp because of the old stone walls. We start our work by clearing enough space on the floor to lay out the sheets of glass. It’s a job that requires a lot of patience and steady hands. We don't do much in the way of talking ourselves up; we just handle the glass and make sure it gets to where it needs to go. It’s just a typical day in a traditional market for us.