Jai Baba Lokenath Saloon

Jai Baba Lokenath Saloon is right here on the groudfloor of Prashad Roy City Market. Most people in Baguihati know where the Chal Patty is, and we are just near that spot. It’s a busy corner of Kolkata. The shop isn't anything fancy, just a couple of chairs and mirrors that have seen a lot of faces over the years. My father started this kind of work, and I just kept it going. Every morning I open the shutters, sweep the floor, and wait for the first customer to walk in. Usually, it’s someone looking for a quick shave before heading to the office or a student wanting a simple haircut. We talk about the local news or the price of fish at the market while I work. Sometimes the fan makes a bit of noise, but nobody really minds. It gets humid in the afternoons, so we keep the door open to catch whatever breeze comes through the market aisle. People stop by just to say hello even if they don’t need a haircut that day. It’s just how things are around here. We don't have those big reclining chairs or fancy lighting like the malls have. It's just a regular place for regular people. I’ve lived in this part of town my whole life, so I know most of the families who come in. We just try to do an honest job and make sure everyone leaves looking a bit neater than when they arrived. Sometimes we even have a little transistor radio playing old songs in the corner.