Mangali
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Mangali or Nayee Brahmin (Barber/Hairdresser)
The institution of barber is a very old one in India. Usually barbers belong to a hereditary caste or clan, variously called:
- Mangali
- Vostaad
- Hajjam
- Nayee, or Nayi-brahmin
They point out, since they take part in "Purifying and cleaning" for everybody, they can jolly well call themselves Brahmin.
[edit] History
Apart from their barbering they have a few special functions in India. The earliest surgeons, like the ones tending to battlefield injuries, were barbers because of their expertise in handling the razor. They were traditionally used as messengers and go-betweens in delicate matters. For instance opening the discussion of an arranged marriage alliance to the father of a prospective groom and bride. Court barbers with direct access to the kings and ministers were obviously men of influence.
Looking at old Indian sculptures we notice most of the menfolk were clean shaven, except wandering wise men, and even the ones with beards got them shaped by razors. The Buddhist monks had a shaved head, and the various hindu sect priests also shaved most of their heads but kept a pigtail.
A barber was usually attached to a village, and was paid every harvest in sacks of grain, granted some land which he could till, a place to stay and obtained some tips. In turn he had to look after the hair of everybody in the village. In some villages hairy species of water buffalo too needed regular skin shaves.
Village barbers moved around, bringing along their kit as they move from village house to house. Gradually barbers set up shop under a convenient shady tree or crossroads or markets. In small villages today, a ramshackle wooden shed serves as a barbershop. There is usually a big mirror, an ancient wooden chair with an adjustable neck rest for shaving, and a frayed and worn shiny rexine (PVC) cushion, invariably a deep red colour with coir curls coyly peeping out at the corners. The red colour with yellow piping seems to be mandatory.
In larger towns, one has "Hair Cutting Saloons" which are little shops with a glass front etched with the name of the owner and, stylized pictures of slim, beaky girls. And a large mandatory "Welcome".
The owner employs other barbers and trainee-apprentices. There are really no schools for old style barbers, merely watch and learn.
[edit] Modern
Usually cities have barber unions who specify rates for services and this poster is prominently displayed somewhere. The Barbers Associations are basically a vehicle for caste based politicians of different political parties. The barbers have been termed as a "Backward" community.
- (Explanation of backward and forward community: Backward not IQ wise or stupid, but needing special government assistance like cheap loans, etc to become ecomomically on par with the forward castes).
The majority of the members of these castes don't really get any benefits. The savvy smart members of all these "Backward" communities grab some educational opportunities, but thats about all. Nowadays of course the educated barber community individuals take up other avenues in government service, other jobs in large industry, etc. But there are not too many in business other than hairdressing or supplies related ones.
In the specific hairdressing field, apart from setting up a successful shop, many young barbers aspire to join the army where they get other benefits besides a regular salary. The more ambiitious ones try for a job in shipping, or in the Gulf. There are institutes which teach modern hairdressing but are found only in the big cities. The hairdressers from here can expect well paying jobs in large hotel barbershops and women's beauty parlours. There are a few men's parlours too. In some areas, village barbers also give medicinal scalp and body massages, and those suffering from arthritis say they are beneficial.
There are several sub-communities among barbers, usually regional in origin. These subcastes are found in many states. As an example, in Andhra Pradesh there are two main barber communities
- Konda
- Sri
They'd rather not intermarry, while they are on very good terms with one another. The origin seems to be connected to temple employment. Pilgrims get their scalps shaved for blessings or boons they think they received, and offer their 'vanity' in thanks, like Catholics lighting candles for grace and Muslims offering blanket coverings for prayers answered. The temple barbers are often a harried lot with hundreds demanding get on with it, impatiently. (The tons of hair collected in big shrines is big business.) After the working hours they seem to have taken to musical services of large shrines.
[edit] Musical talent
In some parts of India barbers double as musicians. They are very musically inclined. In villages they play the "Shehnai" or "Nadasvaram" and drums, but in cities they are the main musicians of brass bands. It is common to hear them practice in their rooms behind the barber shop.
Younger city barbers are shifting away from learning music, even if they have a family tradition. Now some are doing side business, particularly if their shop has a phone. Cellphones too. Mainly real estate plot business. Several who live in developing suburbs have done well in selling plots of land."
