Prabhakara Tile Works

Down here in Kundapura, the weather really dictates how things go at Prabhakara Tile Works. We have been working out of this spot at number 3 for quite some time. Making tiles is a slow process that involves a lot of waiting for things to dry and set properly. The humidity near the coast can be a real pain, especially when we have a big order waiting. I grew up around the smell of wet clay and the heat from the kilns, so it feels natural to me, even if it’s tiring. We don't have a big team, just a few local men who have been with us for years and know exactly how the old machines work. Often, I have to go out and check on the raw materials myself because you can't always trust what gets sent over. The yard is usually full of stacked tiles, and we have to be careful when moving them so they don't chip. It’s not the kind of job where you wear a clean shirt; usually, I’m covered in red dust by ten in the morning. People from around the district know to come here when they want something solid for their roofs. We just keep our heads down and do the work, day in and day out, making sure the ovens stay at the right temperature even when the power flickers. It is hard on the back, but seeing the finished tiles stacked up makes it feel like we did something.