The last of the roving barbers

Roving barbers refer to barbers who don't have a fixed salon, but instead, move around different markets or villages to provide grooming services to their customers. They set up temporary workstations wherever they find customers, often working under the open sky.

The term "roving" indicates their nomadic nature, constantly on the move to reach their clientele. These barbers cater to low-income individuals and older customers who prefer the convenience and affordability offered by their services.

Dhiren's customers are predominantly individuals aged 60 and above, belonging to a time when roving barbers were the primary providers of grooming services in the village.

Dhiren embarked on his journey as a barber at the age of 12, accompanying his late father, Nabin Chandra Shil, to vibrant markets. The memories of those formative years, etched in his mind, solidified his attachment to the ancestral trade.

Despite his sons' concerns and attempts to dissuade him from continuing his laborious work, Dhiren remains resolute, unable to sever the bond he shares with his craft.

Each day, he toils diligently, earning an average of Tk 400-500.

"We are the last generation of roving barbers," he said, acutely aware that with their eventual passing, the village will bid farewell to an era defined by these roaming artisans.

"With their modest charges, ranging from Tk 15-20 for a haircut and Tk 10-15 for a shave, they cater to the financial constraints of the community."

Sushil Chandra Shil, a fellow roving barber from the same village, echoes Dhiren's sentiments. At the age of 74, Sushil still traverses the village, providing haircuts and grooming services. Just like Dhiren, his two sons work in a salon, but Sushil finds joy and fulfilment in his nomadic profession.

In neighbouring Karnopur village, Narayan Chandra Shil, a 70-year-old roving barber, shares a similar tale. Twice a week, he embarks on his rounds, driven by a desire to preserve his ancestral work.

Contrasting the dedication of these roving barbers, Pritish Chandra Shill, a 34-year-old barber who works at a salon in Phulbari upazila, said, "It's (being a roving barber) not feasible anymore, after the rise of salons with their modern amenities and fixed locations."

Meanwhile, Mozammel Haque, a low-income resident of Sarishabari village, attests to the affordability and convenience of the roving barbers.

"With their modest charges, ranging from Tk 15-20 for a haircut and Tk 10-15 for a shave, they cater to the financial constraints of the community," he said.

Pranab Chandra Barman, another resident of the same village, expressed nostalgia for the days when roving barbers were the norm.

The seventy-year-old remains a loyal customer of Dhiren, aware that those of his generation are the last customers of these travelling barbers.