Black Hair Salon

The shop is right here in Meena Colony, just around the corner from Imli Phatak. It’s not a very big place, just a few chairs and mirrors on the wall. I’ve lived in Jaipur my whole life, and opening this spot in 302015 felt like the right thing to do. Every morning, I open the shutters early, usually around nine, and sweep the floor. You can hear the traffic from the main road, but it’s mostly locals who stop by. Sometimes the fans make a bit of noise, but they keep the place cool enough in the summer heat. We’ve got the usual stuff, scissors, combs, and some hair gel on the shelf. Most people just want a regular trim or a shave before they head to work. It gets busy on weekends, so sometimes there is a wait. I try to keep things simple here. There aren't any fancy lights or big signs. If you walk down the lane in the colony, you’ll see the door. I know most of the people who come in by their first names. We talk about the weather or how the local cricket match went. It’s just a regular hair salon where people can sit for a bit and get their hair done. My assistant helps out when I am busy with someone. We’ve been here for a couple of years now. It’s a quiet life, just working every day and making sure the shop stays open for the neighbors. Nothing fancy happens here, but we like it that way.