Remember those good old days when on a Sunday we pass those crowded one-room spaces full of mirrors on the wall and people waiting patiently for their turn to literally come under the knife to look their best, radio playing in the backdrop and hot chit-chats on everything under the sun...Yes, this was a regular scene of a barbershop years ago.
But today the scene has changed to glass tinted air-conditioned rooms, with plush cozy chairs and coffee table books as soon as you enter the barbershop. Sorry with changing times the terminology has also changed from barbershops to saloons and hairstyle corners. It is hard to spot even a single barbershop in the city now. But as an exception to it, stands a century old barbershop named ‘Tip Top’ near South Railway station.
The very sight of it evokes nostalgic memories of those bygone days. The shabby and chipped off blue walls, aroma of incense sticks floating in the air, frames of deities and a poster of actor Mohanlal pasted on the wall, all making us realise the fact that what we are missing today in the glamorous beauty parlours. The shop’s ambiance itself makes people visit it twice a week.
“This shop is a perfect hang out to socialise. People spend a lot of time for chit chats, reading newspapers while tapping their feet to some nice old Malayalam songs from the radio,” says a young customer.
Unlike the hairstylists in saloons, barbers have imbibed the art of cutting from their forefathers and have got specialised training to use the scissors. However Tip Top also does not lag behind in new hair styles and trends of the unisex saloons, even though it exudes an old-world charm.
Though one cannot find this type of a shop in city now, the shop which is tucked between two small hotels is on the verge of downing their shutters soon. “The shop will be acquired for the Metro Rail Project,” says Babu who runs the shop which was established by Parameswaran. Babu has to look after his owner’s family and his own family with what he earns. “My owner Jayan offered me this job when I was in dire straits. But unfortunately he is diagnosed with kidney failure and is in lot of pain. I cannot abandon him when he needs my help both emotionally and financially. And it is my duty to look after his needs,” says Babu.
“The compensation given by the government is minimal. With many endeavours on the pipe line, Kochi will soon be a metropolitan city. Many would be benefited from this. But unfortunately poor always remains poor,” he laments.
Sadly this age old shop would be extinct within no time and the compensation given to them by the government will have to be shared between Jayan and his eight brothers.
Babu, who pays Rs 1500 as rent for this shop, says “If Tip Top gets wiped off, I have no other place to walk in for a job because I do not know anything else rather than cutting hairs. The minimal compensation by the government will be of little help,” he adds with a whiff of sadness.