Aparna Hair Dresses

Aparna Hair Dresses is a small place located at 136 Olai Chandi Tala Road. This street in Kolkata - 700056 can be quite cramped, and the shop sits right among the other local stores. I’ve been here long enough that I don't even notice the sound of the cycles and rickshaws anymore. The shop isn't very large, so we mostly have two chairs for the hair work. I spend a lot of time cleaning the combs and making sure the scissors are oiled. It is a basic setup, with a few mirrors on the wall and a shelf for the powders and creams we use for shaving. The ceiling fan wobbles a bit when it’s on high, but it keeps the air moving during those sticky summer months. Most of the people who come in are neighbors who live right here on Olai Chandi Tala Road. They don't ask for much, just a trim or a clean shave. I usually have a small radio playing some old songs in the background to keep things lively. Sometimes the rain floods the street a little, and we have to put a wooden plank at the door so people can get in without getting their feet wet. It is not a fancy parlour with air conditioning or soft music, but it is my place and I take pride in the work I do with my hands every single day.