Bajrang Leather Arts

Down in Basant Nagar, specifically in Thakkar Bappa Gali No. 2, you'll find our leather workshop. It’s called Bajrang Leather Arts. The first thing you notice when you walk in is the smell of raw leather. It’s a strong scent that sticks to your clothes, but we’re used to it after all these years. We spend our time cutting, gluing, and stitching. We have a few old machines that make a lot of noise, but they still work better than the newer ones we tried once. This isn't a clean, white-walled office. There are scraps of leather on the floor and jars of polish on every shelf. We make different things—bags, belts, and whatever else people ask for. Each piece takes time, and sometimes we get it wrong and have to start over. It’s manual work. Our hands are usually stained with dye or glue by the end of the shift. We aren't trying to be a big brand; we just like the craft of it. The lane outside is pretty narrow, so it’s mostly people walking by or kids playing. We keep the doors open for some air, even when it’s hot outside. People from the neighborhood stop by just to chat sometimes. It’s a small operation, and we like keeping it that way so we can see every item before it goes out the door. It feels more personal that way.