streetscape

Mr Karamchand Gupta runs a stationery shop on the old market street while Mrs Veena operates a stitching and tailoring business from the living room (pawda) of her house . The day begins at 5 am for Mrs Gupta as she finishes her basic chores and goes on a walk around Pangna. After this she begins cooking and engages in her tailoring work during the free time she gets. The older part of their house was built 90 years ago and is made entirely of wood, whereas the newer part of the house is built of concrete. 

The wood and the stone used in the construction of the old house keeps it cool during the summer and warm during the winter. The locals refer to this condition as 'vaatanukool '. 

The Gupta family also has a well-maintained courtyard positioned between the old and new units. It is a quaint, partly shaded space with galgal trees, rose shrubs, and numerous potted plants. They also grow their spring onions, parsnips and coriander in a part of the same courtyard enclosed by a foot high stone wall. The family has added five rooms, two bathrooms, a new kitchen and a small cowshed (made of locally available slate) to the new structure. However, after their children moved out and the in-laws passed away, most of the spaces in the house remain empty. A part of the shop had to be shut down due to lack of business.