The village barber was a class apart

DURING my childhood, there was a barber who lived in my village and provided doorstep service. He was also invited to important family functions. Whenever someone died, he met the relatives to offer condolences. The elders presented him with new clothes on festivals like Vishu and Onam.

He used to announce his arrival with a discreet cough loud enough for those inside to hear. Those needing a haircut or a shave went to the compound and sat on a stool. The barber would begin his work immediately. He often sharpened his scissors and folding knife with a small whetting stone he carried in a bag. He would cut the hair of the children — and most of the elders — very close to the scalp. He visited houses with schoolgoing kids only on Sundays.

He filled his bowl with water from the house. He would hand over a small mirror, sometimes cracked, to the customer, who would hold it before him and give directions. The client’s face would be rubbed with a piece of soap till there was enough lather before the shave was done with the sharpened knife.

It was usual to get small gashes during a haircut or a shave, but he would immediately rub the spot with a piece of alum, which acted as a disinfectant. Sometimes, the elders would abuse him for the gashes, though they knew it was part of the work, and the barber would apologise.

He was a reliable source of information about other villagers. Curious elders would ask him a lot of questions, and he replied honestly. However, they knew he was reluctant to reveal controversial tidbits that could get him into trouble.

The barber had to wait for the harvest season to get a portion of paddy as payment for his work. He would be given something to eat, along with a glassful of hot black coffee, by the women of the house after he finished his job.

His two sons had a barber shop in the town. They subscribed to a Malayalam newspaper, which was shared by customers waiting on a bench. They hung photographs of film stars on the wall to help visitors choose their hairstyle. They had two high chairs on which the customers sat before a large mirror. Various charges were prominently displayed.

Alas, the visiting village barbers have disappeared.