At 11 am on a Saturday, we walk past the imposing gate of Ghatkopar Industrial Estate, unsure if we are at the right address. We mention the word “neon”, and the security guard immediately knows what we’re looking for. At the time, it had been only four days since House of Neon had opened to the public. After facing some difficulty to locate the space, we walked up the crooked stairs to reach the second floor in a building. The strong odour of paint leads us to our destination. Two young adults warmly greet us at the door. We ask them if they work here. “We are the founders,” 19-year-old Fenny Shethia informs us. House of Neon is a space that opened on May 16 for artists and amateurs alike. Participants can go wild with neon paints while indulging in more than seven art-related activities, or just splash paint on family and friends.

Being the first participant on a Saturday, we imagined we would get some time to chat with the duo. But within five minutes, people — across age groups — start trickling in. The most excited was a 10-year-old who was accompanied by his mother and aunt to celebrate his “after birthday”. They are followed by a couple in their early twenties.