Laabh Kala

You can find us at 10 John Parera Chawl, which is on Jivan Vikas Marg in Vile Parle East. Living and working in a chawl means you are never really alone, there is always some noise from the neighbors or kids playing in the lane outside. Laabh Kala is our small venture, and we operate out of this narrow space that we’ve had for a long time. It is a bit of a squeeze when we have a lot of materials lying around, but we make it work. Vile Parle East is a busy part of town, and the walk from the station can be quite a task during the rainy season. Inside the shop, things are a bit cluttered with whatever we are making at the moment. We don't have a big sign or a glass window to show off what we do, just the open door where people can peek in if they are curious. Often, someone from the chawl will stop by just to say hello or ask what we are working on today. The lighting isn't the best, so we usually work near the front where the sun comes in. It is a simple setup, with just a few stools and our tools spread out on the table. We don't follow a very strict schedule; we just start when the sun comes up and keep going until the light fades. It feels more like a home than an office most of the time, and we like it that way.