Sachin Gents Parlour

Shop number 8 at Chiman Bag Chouraha is where I spend most of my waking hours these days. Being right there on Subhash Marg in Indore means there is never a quiet moment from morning until night. The traffic at the chouraha is constant, especially in the evenings when everyone is heading home from their jobs. I set up this gents parlour with just the basics—a few good chairs, big mirrors, and my cutting tools. The tile on the floor is a bit cracked near the entrance, but nobody seems to mind it. Men come in, sit down, and we talk about the latest cricket scores or the local weather. I don't use any of those loud machines for everything, mostly just my hands and the shears. There’s a small radio in the corner that plays old songs, but usually, the noise from the street is louder anyway. I’ve known most of the guys who come here since they were young kids. Now they bring their own sons in for a trim on Sunday mornings. It’s a tight space when there are four or five people waiting, so some of them just stand outside on the pavement and chat. I keep the towels clean and the razors sharp, and that's about all I worry about. My hands are usually tired by 9 PM, but it’s good, honest work. It feels right being part of this neighborhood for years.