Every time Jayaram Muthuswamy arrives in Mumbai, he knows his chosen destination. Near Crawford Market, on the third floor of Narasimh Mansion, is New Vasantashram Boarding and Lodging House, a place that Muthuswamy, a septuagenarian gemstone dealer has been frequenting since 1963. In a tradition started by his father, whose line of business the son has continued, this lodging and boarding institution overlooking LT Road has had his patronage for almost 53 years.

In his youth, Muthuswamy used to live here for seven months at a stretch, away from his wife and sons. At dawn, before setting out to deal with the famed diamond and gemstone merchants of Opera House, he would head for a brisk walk on Chowpatty. In the evenings, he would chat with other lodgers as they ate New Vasantashram’s Udupi meals. “We never made friends here. We are all businessmen and friendships are not advisable in this line,” says the astute merchant.