Massage to message at the barber shop
With the advent of social media, places to socialise offline are drying up fast. However, the barber shop remains one place that has escaped the tentacles of digitalisation, so far. We still manage to exchange smiles, glances and views with strangers and read newspapers while patiently waiting our turn to be groomed and rendered presentable.
For me, the monthly visit to the hairdresser is keenly awaited. Apart from the haircut, one comes across a variety of people and their disparate views on topics of common interest. Being an early riser, I make it a point to be there by 7am to be welcomed by the ever-smiling Mr Scissorhands. Saturday and Sunday are the days of choice to resurrect, realign and camouflage the receding and graying hairline.
My visits to the barber shop offer an opportunity to stay updated with the goings-on in our locality too, spiced up with exaggeration. I have been able to forge a formal acquaintance with the young and the old of my colony, resulting in lighthearted banter.
Recently, the barber shop owner installed an air-conditioner. It prompted many an idler to land up there to make the most of the cool ambience. Bauji, as the shop owner is fondly addressed by one and all, found a novel way to keep them at bay. He put up a poster in bold letters above the AC: Baal katwane ke liye baithen thaath se, samay kaatne ke liye jaiye bagh mein (Sit with pleasure if you’re here for a haircut but head for the garden if you’ve come to pass time)”.
After exchanging pleasantries, once I’m seated on the exalted chair, Bauji starts the proceedings with a gentle massage on the head and shoulders. He is quick to jump to the headlines of the day. Negligent doctors, corrupt politicians and indolent administration, nothing escapes his razorsharp sarcasm and wit.
In between, he pauses briefly to gauge the pulse and mood of the listener. Without providing much time to react and respond, he shifts to the next topic. His daily reading of two newspapers and interaction with clients from every strata give him an edge in matters of national interest. All the while, his deft hands are at work, getting rid of the haphazard growth.
His witty one-liners and interesting anecdotes almost always end with words of wisdom. On my last visit, he seemed upset with political bigwigs switching sides at the drop of a hat and abusing one another.
“Sir, I tell you, they only want power. Most of them are bepainde ke lote (vessels without base). Everyone knows what happens to a house built without a strong base. Our country deserves men of character and integrity at the helm,” he said. I tried to assure him by saying: “Every dark cloud has a silver lining.”
“May your words come true,” he said with a sigh as he untied the knot of the apron around my neck.
ONCE I’M SEATED, BAUJI STARTS WITH A GENTLE MASSAGE ON THE HEAD. HE IS QUICK TO JUMP TO THE HEADLINES