S.K. Masala

Being located in Chauta Bazar means there is never a quiet moment. Our shop, S.K. Masala, is tucked into Ward No. 10 at Shop No.10, and it’s been there for quite a few years now. It is a small place, so we have to use every bit of space we have, stacking bags and boxes right up to the rafters. The smell of the different spices is very strong, and it stays with you long after you leave the shop. We spend most of our time weighing things out on the old scale and packing them into smaller bags for the customers. It gets really crowded on the weekends when everyone from the nearby villages comes into the bazaar to do their shopping. We know most of the other shopkeepers around here, and we often share a cup of tea in the afternoons when the rush slows down a bit. The floor gets a bit messy with spice dust, but we sweep it out every evening before we close up. We don’t have any fancy signs or bright lights, just a couple of old tube lights that sometimes flicker when the power is low. It’s a simple way to make a living, and we just keep at it day after day. We don’t use any big machines, just our hands and a few simple tools. It’s hard work, but we are used to it by now.