Jaganath Saloon

Jaganath Saloon is over at 15/3, Surendra Seth Lane. It’s a quiet corner compared to the main roads of Kolkata. We share the space with the sounds of the neighborhood—kids playing nearby and the occasional rickshaw bell. The shop is quite modest. We have a few shelves where we keep the talc, the aftershave, and the old magazines that nobody really reads anymore. The spray bottles are mostly mismatched. We spend most of our day standing on our feet, so the rubber mat behind the chair is a lifesaver. There’s a small window that lets in a bit of breeze if the wind is blowing the right way. We aren't interested in being the most modern place in town. We like the old ways of doing things. The razors are stropped on a leather belt, and we use real soap for the shaves. It takes a bit longer, but people don't seem to be in such a rush here. When it rains, the water drips off the awning out front and makes a steady tapping sound. We usually close up for an hour in the middle of the day to eat our tiffin and have a short nap. The broom stays in the corner because we're always cleaning up after a cut. It’s just the way things have always worked for us at 15/3. We’re happy with our small spot in the city and the people who visit.