Embrace the work of A Knife sharpening man.

In the crowded street of Vishrantwadi – It was the sight of a old man working on a strange machine. It was the machine that drew my attention. He sharpened knives & scissors between two wheels in motion based on principles of friction. He used his hands and feet to add sharpness to these common instruments.

This man seemed to have a new form of enterprise, one engaged in providing a service so minor and yet so majorly important even in today’s use-and-throw culture. As I stood there, he told me how he had been doing the same work for the past 4 decades.

Shadir Sikhalgar Koregaon wale, he told me his tales- "I am from Satara, but I moved to Mumbai to learn about this work. I have two son who work in Kondhwa & Chandan Nagar & perform the same work. I charge 20rs per knife & 40rs per scissor.

Above all, I loved the joy he experienced in his work. Every knife he sharpened seemed like his first one, the same excitement of four decades ago, the same delicacy and care for his ‘machine’ and yet, much more dexterity and artfulness.