GUNPOWDER ARTISTRY

A rolling piece of art is one thing, one that runs is an outright keeper

- Keshav Teiva Poumai

As it usually is, my morning started long before sunrise, although, this time, it felt different as I rather enthusiastically emerged from under the covers. After completing my morning rituals, I quickly kitted up and rode straight to the Bombay Custom Works workshop, a good 50 minutes away, but somehow, this time, the trip felt much shorter. I parked my bike, walked up to and knocked on the bright red door.

All was quiet. I knocked a second time, but still no response. I started to get worried and took the phone out of my pocket and called Prabhu, the resident BCW crew member, but he didn't pick up. I frantically re-dialled, and was thankfully met with his sleepy voice at the other end asking me whether I had already reached.

I heard his footsteps as he shuffled to the door and unlocked it. The red door slowly creaked open in the silence of the daybreak and there it stood in all its glory. I finally got my first proper look at Barood in person, and to be honest, it truly is a sight to behold.

I gingerly wheeled the motorcycle out into the empty street and set it on the main stand, taking a few steps back to just admire it in the early morning light. Built tastefully around a cast-iron Bullet 350, Barood stands true to its name, ready to ignite a flame of longing in the hearts of almost everyone who sets eyes on it.