Chandra Deep Hair Saloon

Nagpur is a big city but our corner feels small and familiar. Chandra Deep Hair Saloon is just a regular place where men come to get their hair cut. We have been in this part of Nagpur for a long time. There are three chairs in a row and a long mirror that stretches across the whole wall. I start my day by wiping down the counters and checking the blades. We use a lot of talcum powder, so there is always a faint smell of it in the air. The fans overhead hum constantly to keep the air moving. I do not have a fancy waiting area, just a wooden bench where people sit and read the local newspaper. We talk about the cricket matches or the local politics while I work. Sometimes the shop gets very crowded on Sundays, and people have to wait outside on the pavement. I try to work fast but I do not like to rush. Every haircut takes the time it takes. I have a small basin for washing hair and a shelf full of different oils and creams. The floor is old stone and stays cool even when it is very hot outside. I have spent most of my life here, holding a pair of scissors. It is a simple trade but it keeps me busy. I do not need much else besides my tools and a steady stream of customers coming through the door. It is just a basic hair saloon.