Deepak Hair Cutting Saloon

Deepak Hair Cutting Saloon is located in the middle of Patel Market in Sehore, which is a bit of a drive out from the main Bhopal city. Being in the market means it’s always loud and there’s always something going on right outside the door. You have the vegetable sellers shouting and the tractors rummaging past. The shop itself is pretty basic. I’ve got two chairs and a wooden bench for anyone waiting their turn. The walls are covered with some old calendars and a few mirrors that have seen better days. I’ve been cutting hair here for a long time, and I know most of the men in the village by name. They come in with dust on their boots from the fields, and they leave looking a bit more put together. I use a manual spray bottle and a straight razor that I sharpen on a leather strop. It’s a skill that takes years to get right without nicking anyone. The floor is usually covered in a carpet of black and grey hair by noon. I don't have any fancy air conditioning, just a big pedestal fan that blows the hot air around. People don't come here for a luxury experience; they come because they know I’ll do a proper job for a fair price. When the sun starts to set, the market slows down, and I finally get a chance to sit down and have a cup of tea before heading home.