The tradition of cutting hair and beards sitting on the ground is disappearing

With the change of time, many familiar scenes of our rural life are disappearing. One of them is the scene of barbers cutting hair and beards sitting on the ground. Once, these barbers could be seen at the market or at the crossroads of the village. Now that scene is quickly disappearing with the touch of modern civilization.

Nowadays, modern hair salons have been established everywhere from villages to cities. These salons, equipped with AC-fans, flashing lights and various types of hair cutting machines, are now getting more crowded every day. As a result, the traditional profession of cutting hair and beards sitting on the ground is disappearing.

Nevertheless, in the Bariya Bazar area of ​​Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila, that old scene can still be seen—some barbers cutting hair and beards sitting on water stands or on benches arranged on bricks.

Two senior barbers from Bagerhat area of ​​​​Bergriya Union—Kendu Shil (80) and Deven Barman (75). They have spent half a century of their lives together in this profession like comrades.

Kendu Shil said, “My three sons work in a modern salon. But they have separate families. I still earn a living by cutting hair and beards sitting in this salon. It is my father’s and grandfather’s profession, I could not leave it.”

Deven Chandra Barman also said the same. He said, “Even though the boys work in the salon, their income does not go with the family. So even in old age, I am doing this work sitting in the sun and rain. I will continue this profession until I die.”

They always have a wooden box next to them—in which there are razors, scissors, combs, alum, soap, powder and lotion. Many years ago, the wage for a haircut was five paisa, and for a beard trim it was two paisa. Back then, the family was running well with that income. Now, they have to struggle to run their family with the income they earn at the end of the day by cutting their hair for 30 taka and their beard for 10 taka.

They lament, “Earlier, we had to sharpen our razors. Now, everyone uses blades. Hair clippers, shaving creams, lotions—those were not our time. Now, times have changed, and we have also fallen behind.”

Local resident Rubel Mia said, “Now there are many modern salons in the market. But whenever I see these two barbers cutting hair, I remember my childhood. I used to fall asleep while sitting on their knees while cutting hair—that memory still lingers in my mind.”

Jewel Islam, an entrepreneur from the Bardiya Union Parishad, said, “Earlier, my father used to let us get our hair cut by them. The current generation may not see this scene anymore. In the future, it may only remain in stories.”

Once upon a time, these barbers could be seen busy at every market, crossroads, and tea shop in the village. Now, they are slowly disappearing in the glare of modern salons. Yet, Kendu Shil and Deven Barman are still maintaining the tradition in an indomitable fight. They have only one hope—“As long as I live, I will keep the profession of my father and grandfather alive.”