Central Art Traders

Our shop is at 3220, Mohalla Dasan in the Hauz Qazi area. If you’ve ever been to Old Delhi, you know how narrow and crowded the lanes can be. It’s a very old part of the city, and our building has been there for a long time. We deal in art supplies and materials, which is why the place always smells a bit like paint and paper. There are stacks of things everywhere, from brushes to different kinds of canvas. It’s not organized like a modern store. You kind of have to know where things are, or just ask me and I’ll find it for you. The street outside is always full of rickshaws and people carrying heavy loads. It’s noisy and dusty, but that’s just life in Hauz Qazi. I’ve lived and worked around here most of my life. Central Art Traders isn't a big corporation. It’s just me and a helper who has been with me for ten years. We have customers who have been coming to us since they were students. We don't do any big marketing or have a fancy storefront. People just know we are here in Mohalla Dasan. Sometimes the rain leaks in a bit near the front door, so we have to move the stock around. It’s a bit of a struggle sometimes, but we like being part of this community. We just sell art stuff and talk to the people who come in every day. It's a simple, good life.