KANNUR:Seven decades have passed since Mulk Raj Anand created Chandu the barber in his short story ‘Barbers’ Trade Union’. Chandu who is ridiculed by upper class villagers for the robe he wears like that of a doctor’s, rebels against the social stigma attached to the profession in his area and opens ‘Rajkot District Barber Brothers’ Hairdressing and Shaving Saloon’ in the nearby town.
Ostracising barbers is still prevalent in states like Karnataka, where in a village in Bellary district recently upper caste groups boycotted barbers as they started offering services to lower caste people. The Salon and Beauty Parlours Association of Maharashtra strongly protested against the use of word ‘barber’ in the title of the Shahrukh Khan starrer, ‘Billu Barber’ terming it casteist. Kerala is largely free from such issues, yet the barber community here is concerned about social status as their profession is demeaned and disrespected by society.
Barber shops once social hubs to discuss politics and current affairs, are dwindling into extinction amid the swanky saloons mushrooming in small towns and cities alike.
Barbers in rural Kerala are struggling hard to make both ends meet. Setting up of a new air-conditioned shop, with streamlined furnishing, music and LED screen in a conspicuous part of the town is beyond the pulse and purse of many traditionally engaged in the profession. “For the last few years even the loyal customer base have started evincing interest to visit saloons. Most of the youngsters go for different styles and do not mind splurging on good facials which I cannot provide here,” says a barber from Kannur.
To overcome the current crisis, the Kerala State Barber and Beauticians Association has introduced beautician courses to its members in all the 14 districts.
“The association never remains idle when confronted with a crisis, and insists barbers to learn new trade tricks. As part of this, a two- level beautician course has been organised in all districts. After the state conference of the organisation scheduled to be held in Kasargod in April, level three will be introduced,” Kerala Barber and Beauticians Association state treasurer K E Basheer said.
Nowadays, barbers do not offer their services at customer’s houses but a considerable number of beauticians have started offering doorstep beauty services. “I was able to overcome from the crisis by offering to do facials or haircuts at customers’ houses. Now, I have the tools of the trade and my son has also joined and we have a steady flow of customers,” says a woman beautician in Mahe.