by Babra Wani
SRINAGAR: In Anantnag District of South Kashmir, renowned for its culinary delights and scenic beauty, the open-air barber shops at the bustling bus terminal stand as a testament to tradition. For over three decades, five skilled barbers have plied their trade here, collectively accumulating more than five decades of experience.
The traditional Hajam community, once predominant, saw a shift in the 80s as modern barber shops and salons gained popularity. Despite the changing landscape, these barbers persist in their craft at the historic bus terminal.
In exchange for their open-air space, these hajaams pay a modest daily rent of 25 rupees to the municipal committee of Anantnag. Their earnings, however, are equally modest, not exceeding 20 rupees per customer. Despite the humble returns, the collective efforts of these barbers yield two to three hundred rupees a day.
Rooted in familial tradition, some of these barbers have inherited their skills from preceding generations, a legacy that continues to thrive amid modern shifts in grooming practices.
