The barefoot man was selling cigarettes and paan at a small stall

Man working in a small store
Man working in a small store
Similar Photos

Even today, nearly 90% of India’s retail market is dominated by traditional small-scale shops. But these are not the convenience stores you might find in Japan. Instead, most are humble street stalls or makeshift kiosks, often with little more than a wooden counter and a few crates of goods.

The man in the photo worked at one such shop. With no roof, no walls, it barely resembled what most would call a "store." Yet, for him, this was his shop—his business, his livelihood.

Neatly arranged on a small wooden box, his goods were staples of daily life. But what stood out most was paan, a traditional Indian chewable stimulant made by wrapping betel leaves around a mix of spices, sweeteners, and other ingredients.

Paan stalls like his are a familiar sight across India. Passersby stop for a quick chat, purchase a bundle, and continue on their way. Even in a metropolis like Mumbai, where modern shopping malls continue to rise, these tiny, unassuming stalls remain deeply embedded in the city's daily rhythm.

Despite its barebones setup, this man's stall is a fixture of the urban landscape—a reminder that, beneath Mumbai’s glitzy high-rises and expanding malls, the traditional market culture still thrives.

Each day, he sets up his stall once again, welcoming customers as he has always done, a steady presence in the ever-evolving city.

Comment via
日本語
Mar 2025 INDIA PEOPLE

PHOTO DATA

No

12840

Shooting Date

May 2024

Posted On

March 16, 2025

Modified On

March 17, 2025

Place

Mumbai, India

Genre

Portrait Photography

Camera

SONY ALPHA 7R V

Lens

ZEISS BATIS 2/40 CF

Some Photographing Locations outside Japan

See all Locations »

Some Categories by subject

PREV & NEXT