The humble tapri — the roadside tea stall — is arguably India's most democratic institution. For the price of a six-rupee glass of chai, any citizen can occupy a public space, engage in political debate, access the oral newspaper of neighbourhood gossip, and be part of a community.
In an era of malls, gated communities, and privatized public spaces, the tapri stands as a stubborn, fragrant holdout. This cultural essay explores what we lose when the tapri disappears — and what it tells us about the kind of public life we want to build.