Sharma Saloon

Sharma Saloon has been a part of the Belgachia and Talapark area for quite a while now. We are tucked away in Talapark, and the address is easy enough to find if you are familiar with this part of Kolkata - 700037. The shop is small, and the walls could probably use a new coat of paint, but it feels like home to me. I spend most of my day standing on my feet, so I make sure to wear comfortable sandals. The customers who come here aren't looking for a luxury experience; they just want a decent haircut at a price that doesn't hurt their pocket. I use the same brand of shaving cream I've used for years because I know it works well. Sometimes the sink gets clogged with hair, and I have to spend ten minutes poking at it with a wire. It is just part of the job. In the evenings, the shop gets a bit crowded with men stopping by after their shifts at the offices or factories. We talk about the weather, which is usually too hot or too rainy, and maybe a bit about the local news. The mirrors are framed in wood that has darkened over time. I keep the towels in a stack in the corner, and I wash them every night at home. It is a modest life, running a saloon in Talapark, but I like being my own boss and knowing everyone in the lane.