Ravi Masala

Our place is in Ward No. 8, Sikarwari Mohalla, right near the Panchayati Mandir Road. It is an old part of the town where the streets are thin and winding. We deal in masala and you can hear the grinding machines going in the back room sometimes. It is a loud rhythmic thumping that vibrates the floor. The smell of roasted cumin and red chilies is everywhere in the air. It stays in your hair and your clothes even after you leave. We have a simple counter made of dark wood that is very old. People from the Mohalla come in with their own steel containers sometimes. We fill them up and weigh them carefully on the scale. It is a very traditional way of doing things that we have done for years. We do not have any flashy packaging or bright labels, just plain clear bags. The temple road gets very busy during festivals and we have to stay open late. We have to stock up more during those times of the year. The shop is small and the ceiling is quite low so you have to watch your head. It stays relatively cool inside because of the thick stone walls. We do not have an air conditioner, just a ceiling fan that wobbles a bit. I have been doing this since I was young and I know the customers well.