SAVE THE BARBERS

Pammy Kaul, Creative Director, Headmasters, recognised the intrinsic value of the barbering community and embarked on a journey towards their upliftment with the ‘Save the Barbers’ initiative. Vidhi Arya writes a special report.

What started during the pandemic as an initiative to support and educate the barbers of India has today evolved into a mission to secure recognition, respect and revitalisation of a profession that’s deeply rooted in Indian traditions and skill. Pammy Kaul, Creative Director, Headmasters, undertook an initiative that was inspired from her own experiences during her training days in the UK. She shares,“I’ve always been fascinated by the skills that the Indian barbers have. Having trained in the UK for seven years, I realised that the kind of skills these guys possess is much more than what can be trained in a classroom.”

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the vulnerabilities of many professions came to light. Kaul stepped in to support the barbers. While salons were backed with regulations and governmental guidance, the barbers did not have a ray of hope.

Her respect for the community coupled with her understanding of the difficulties is what fuelled her desire to make a difference. Kaul says,“They work very hard, often under challenging conditions.Their craft is passed down through generations, yet they’re often marginalised and labelled.” Under the ‘Save the Barbers’ initiative, Kaul provided essential support to the barbering community during the pandemic. She raised funds by baking and selling cakes and utilised the proceeds to purchase essential supplies, disposables, sanitisers and other necessities for the barbers. She went ahead to personally engage with the barbers, educating them on health and safety practices.

‘Save the Barbers’ quickly gained momentum, attracting attention from organisations like the Rotary Club of Chandigarh, which further supported the cause.

Reflecting on the impact of her initiative, Kaul emphasises the importance of education and empowerment, even at the grassroot levels.“Once you teach someone the importance of health and safety, it stays with them.The barbers may not have had access to formal education on hygiene, but they now possess crucial knowledge that helps improve their professionalism,” she asserts.

Even after the pandemic, Kaul remains committed to the cause.“The journey has definitely not ended.There’s still much that we are trying to do — providing shelter, further education and attempting to bring respect to this profession.”

Beyond tangible support, Kaul believes there is a need to bring in a shift in the perception of barbers.“We must bring back the respect for the word and the profession ‘barber’. It’s not merely a title and it signifies a specialised skill set that deserves recognition,” she says.

Looking ahead, Kaul has a vision for a future where the Indian barbering community thrives and not just survives. She hopes for an environment of respect and opportunity for the common Indian barber. Her message to aspiring hairstylists and barbers resonates with sincerity and urgency.“Pay attention to health and safety. Respect your profession, flaunt your uniform and strive for excellence. It’s through dedication and discipline that we can take the Indian hair industry to the global stage.”.