Dongari Masale

You can find us in Room L 366 of the Anu Shakti Chawl. It is right on Dm Road in Lbs Nagar. If you know the Vakola-Santacruz East area, you probably know how busy it gets around the Vakola Bridge. Our space is not very big, just a typical chawl room, but we make it work. The smell of ground spices is everywhere. It’s a strong scent of cumin, coriander, and red chilies that sticks to the walls. We spend most of our day sitting on the floor or on low stools, sorting through raw materials and making sure everything is clean. The machines are small but they run almost constantly. It gets quite loud, and sometimes the neighbors complain, but that is just how life is in a chawl. We pack everything by hand into small plastic pouches. Our fingers are often stained yellow from the turmeric. We have a small wooden box for the cash and a notebook where we write down who owes us what. Outside, the street is always full of people and vehicles. We watch the world go by through the open door while we work. It’s a bit cramped and the heat in the afternoon can be tough, but we just keep going. We take a break for tea when the vendor comes around. It’s a humble setup, but it keeps us busy from morning until late evening every single day.