Ajantha Saloon

We've been here on Francis Road in Kallai for a while now. It's a small place, nothing too fancy, just the usual chairs and mirrors you'd expect in a local barber shop. Most people around Calicut know where we are. It gets pretty busy on the weekends, especially when the weather is hot and everyone wants their hair trimmed short. We just do regular cuts, shaves, and the occasional head massage if someone asks for it. The shop has that smell of talcum powder and aftershave that's been there since day one. I usually start early in the morning, around the time the shops nearby begin to open their shutters. Sometimes the fans make a bit of noise, but they keep the air moving while people wait on the bench. We see a lot of the same faces every month. Some guys have been coming here since they were kids, and now they bring their own sons. It’s just how things go in this part of Kozhikode. There’s no fancy booking system or anything like that. You just walk in, sit down, and wait your turn. If the chair is empty, you're up. We don't try to do anything too modern, just the standard styles that people like. It’s a simple living. The floor gets covered in hair pretty fast, so we’re always sweeping. It keeps us busy. We like the neighborhood. People stop by just to say hello even if they don't need a haircut today.