Natraj Pan Shopee

Our shop is located in Yerwada, specifically in the Mrudkishore Apartment building on SV Road. It’s a bit of a confusing address because the mail sometimes mentions Borivali West or Navi Khadki, but we are right here on Jeil Road. It’s just a small pan shopee, nothing too big or flashy to look at. I spend most of my day behind the counter, cutting betel nuts and getting the leaves ready for the evening. The night time is when it really picks up. People finish their dinner at the nearby spots and then walk over here for a pan. It’s a lot of repetitive work, folding the leaves and making sure the different chutneys are topped up. I’ve lived in this area for a long time, so I know most of the faces that come by. The apartment residents are our main regulars. Sometimes the traffic on Jeil Road gets so loud we can barely hear what people are trying to order. The shop doesn't have much room inside, just enough for me to stand and a few shelves for cigarettes and matches. It gets very hot in the afternoons, so I usually keep the small fan running. It’s a basic life, just running this small business and making sure people get what they want. There isn't any fancy decor here, just the usual jars and the mirror on the wall. We’ve been here for years and the routine stays the same.