VILLAGE BARBERS MOVE TO CITY

VILLAGE BARBERS MOVE TO CITY

5-MAY-ENG 3

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BHABHUA--------------------------The traditions of the village have now become an integral part of urban life; from barbers to washermen, these traditional service providers have established their place in cities and small market towns. In today's times, the only thing that remains of the village—its sole legacy—is agriculture; yet, for the farmers, it has also become a sheer compulsion. The scourge of unemployment, rising agricultural costs, and the harsh blows of nature have utterly devastated the lives of farmers. In this same context, let us turn our attention to the traditional barbers (*hajams*) of rural areas. Even the village barber has now distanced himself from agricultural labor and established his home in the city; consequently, if anyone wishes to get a haircut, they are compelled to travel to the city. Seated in the expensive, open markets of the city, that very same village barber is now forced to charge exorbitant rates for his services simply to sustain his family. Generally speaking, if you visit a modest salon in a small market town, the cost is around ₹50 for a shave and between ₹75 and ₹100 for a haircut; for the average person, even contemplating a visit to a high-end salon is simply out of the question. For weddings—even after much effort and earnest persuasion—one might eventually find a barber, but only at a steep price. Regardless of whether they receive any additional customary gifts or gratuities (*dakshina*), one is still obliged to pay whatever fee they demand upfront. In the present day, one rarely encounters a barber in rural areas who still upholds the traditional way of life; and for those few who do, their economic condition has become precarious. The passage of time and the relentless pressure of inflation have completely transformed the social fabric and atmosphere, further eroding an already deteriorating social structure. There was once no need for rented premises or expensive creams; yet, haircuts were given, and beards were trimmed with ease. The journey of simplicity has now morphed into a pursuit of fashion, and the prevailing political landscape has fundamentally altered the entire structure of society.