Shiv Cutlery Works

Chauraha Gali is one of those narrow lanes where you have to watch your step because there is always something going on. Shiv Cutlery Works is right in the middle of Bartan Bazar, so you can imagine the noise levels on a typical Tuesday. There is a constant clinking of metal and people shouting to be heard over the crowd. We spend a lot of time just moving stuff around in the shop. It is a bit dark inside because the buildings are so close together, but we have enough light to see what we are doing. Bartan Bazar is famous for a reason, and being part of it means dealing with the chaos every single day. At Shiv Cutlery Works, we don't have much room to spare. Every corner is filled with something. We sit on small stools and talk to the neighbors when things get a bit slow. The floor is concrete and stays cool even when it is hot outside. Sometimes a stray dog will wander in looking for shade and a place to rest. We don't mind. We just keep working on the cutlery and whatever else needs attention. It is a simple life in Chauraha Gali. We have been here long enough to know all the other shopkeepers by name. It is just a matter of showing up, opening the shutters, and seeing what the day brings in the bazar. It isn't always easy, but it is what we know.