Abdul Kalam hails from Bihar's Siwan district. He migrated to Delhi more than 20 years ago in search of better prospects for his art. He grooms not only his fellow migrants from different states, but also locals from time to time. Like most other roadside barbers, Kalam's story is one of struggle and a never-ending quest for a better standard of living.
Strangely, all the barbers photographed as part of this project hail from Bihar. They are from different generations but they have a common complaint: the conditions in Bihar were not conducive to a happy life. Some of them are merely keeping a family tradition alive, while others dream of owning a large salon of their own someday.
A crucial election is currently underway in their home state, but these men remain aloof. Politics does not interest any of them.
Abdul Kalam gives one of his customers a haircut.
Satyendra is an Arts graduate. At night, he works at a big hair salon in Bahadurgarh. During the day, he manages his roadside shop. “I didn’t even have enough money to get my child treated in Bihar," he said. "The situation has improved here in Delhi, the double shifts take their toll on me."
Ranjit used to work as a driller at a Delhi firm. He lost his job after his child's illness forced him to remain absent for a long time. “Initially, I struggled a lot to find a place where I could put my chair and other equipment. I am earning just enough to feed my family,” he said.
Ram Babu’s older brother used to have a temporary salon on the roadside. He decided to continue the business but doesn’t want his children to follow suit. “A lot of factories have shifted from Delhi to Gurgaon and as a result of that, factory workers have also left. My business has suffered hugely because of that”, said Ram Babu.
Raju lives in one of the jhuggis in Khizarabad in Okhla. “Had there been enough opportunities back in Bihar, I would not have left my children and wife there," he said. "I send Rs 2,000-Rs 3,000 every month for their survival. It is not enough, but I have no other option but to persist with the same job.”
Ajay, 20, was a delivery boy not long before he started his own small salon on the pavement in Mayapuri. He doesn’t like to be supervised and so prefers not to work at a bigger establishment. “Nothing happens without money," he said. "I would like to have my own salon one day. I will build it with my own sweat and blood.”
Shivlal Thakur used to have a makeshift shop in Okhla's sabji mandi area before it was vandalised last year. Every day, he assembles and places his shaving equipment and a couple of mirrors under the shade of a tree at Maharani Bagh. “I have been here since 1983, but little has changed as you can see,” said Shivlal.