Mizaan Men

Mizaan Men is located right at the Udaiganj Tiraha in Lucknow, very close to the Hazi Barati Maszid. Being near the masjid means we hear the calls for prayer throughout the day, which kind of sets the rhythm for how we work. The shop is a straightforward place for men to get their hair cut or a shave. We have the usual black chairs and the long mirrors that cover the wall. It’s a busy corner of Udaiganj, so there is always something to see out the front window while we are working. We get all kinds of people, from young boys to the elderly men who have lived in this part of Lucknow their whole lives. The tools we use are basic—clippers, scissors, and razors—and we keep them sharp. Usually, there is a bit of a wait on the weekends, so men just sit and chat about politics or whatever is on the news. I try to keep the place tidy, but with hair and people coming in and out, it is a constant job. The fans run all day to keep the air moving because it gets stuffy in the small space. We don't have a big staff, just a couple of us who know how to handle the shears. It is a practical shop for the community here, and we have been at this tiraha for quite a while now without much changing in how we operate.