Rizwan Gents Parlour

If you go down to Maulviganj in Lucknow, you will find Rizwan Gents Parlour on Ganga Prasad Road. This is a very old and busy part of the city, and the shop fits right in. It’s a traditional gents' parlour, nothing like those modern malls. The street outside is narrow and always full of cycle rickshaws and people walking. Inside, we have the classic barber chairs and the big mirrors that have seen a lot of years. I usually have a pot of tea nearby, and the smell of shaving cream is always in the air. People come here not just for a haircut or a shave, but to catch up on what’s happening in the neighborhood. It can get quite loud with everyone talking at once. I’ve been working here for a long time, and I know exactly how most of my customers like their hair done without them even saying a word. The walls have a few old calendars and some pictures. The lighting is okay, but we rely a lot on the light coming in from the front door. When it gets dark, the street outside comes alive with food stalls and more noise. It’s a humble place, and we don’t pretend to be anything else. We just provide a good shave and a place for the men of Maulviganj to sit for a few minutes. It’s hard work, but it’s my life.