Ns Masala

Our place, Ns Masala, is located at Moti Bai Chawl on Station Road. We’re in Bhandup West, not too far from the Ubs Junior College. It’s a lively spot because of the college students and people heading to the station. We spend our days grinding and mixing different masalas. The smell of coriander and cumin is always in the air around our door. It’s a small space, so when we’re working, it can get quite warm and cramped. We use old stone grinders for some of our mixes because that’s how we’ve always done it. The floors are often covered in a fine dust from the spices, and we have to sweep a lot. People from the nearby chawls come in to buy their daily spices in small packets. We don't do much advertising; most of our customers are just neighbors or folks who walk past on their way to the train. We have a few big sacks of raw peppers and seeds sitting in the corner waiting to be processed. It’s a very hands-on kind of work. Sometimes our eyes sting from the chili powder, but you get used to it after a few years. We keep the shop open late because that’s when most people are coming home from work and need something for their dinner. It’s just us, doing what we know, and keeping the traditions of the chawl alive with our spice mixes.