Maman Saloon

Out here in Rajarhat, things are always changing, but Maman Saloon stays pretty much the same. We are located on Natunpukur Road, near Patharghat. It’s a bit of a walk from the main bus stop, but people know where to find us. The shop isn’t huge. We have two chairs and a big mirror that’s seen better days, but it does the job. Most days, it’s just the sound of the radio playing some old songs and the snip-snip of the scissors. We open early because the workers around Natunpukur Road like to get cleaned up before their shifts start. It’s dusty outside sometimes because of all the construction in Rajarhat, so we have to dust the shelves and the combs quite often. My hands are usually covered in talcum powder by the end of the day. We don’t really do anything flashy. It’s just basic hair cutting and shaving for the local men. People come in, sit on the bench, read the newspaper while they wait, and talk about the weather or the price of vegetables. Kolkata - 700135 is a busy area, and there’s always something going on outside on the street. But inside here, time moves a little slower. We don’t rush anyone out of the chair. If you need a shave, you get a shave. That’s how it’s always been since we set up shop on Natunpukur Road. Sometimes the light flickers, but we just keep working anyway.