Couple shows there’s more to hairstyling than styling hair

By Ramesh Bishwokarma,Gulmi, Dec. 27: To be a barber was once frowned upon in Nepal. It was not considered as prestigious as an office job or as secure as civil service. Although that view has changed in recent times, hairdressing still is not believed to be a very lucrative occupation. 

But that matters little to Indra Kunwar and his wife Monika Kunwar from Dhagithum, Resunga Municipality–2, Gulmi. They are perfectly content with the living they earn from the haircutting salon and beauty parlour they operate at Camp Road, Tamghas.

However, it was not an easy road to get here. Indra, 47, went to India at an age when he should have been going to school to provide some semblance of financial stability to his underprivileged family. “At first, I went to Delhi but later moved to Mumbai for better opportunities. There, I learnt how to cut hair and worked for 12 years at local salons.”

As a barber, he claimed, Indra got to meet Bollywood actors like Sharat Saxena, Salman Khan and Govinda. “It was a glamorous business,” he said. But glamour grew pale and after more than a decade in the city formerly called Bombay, he desired to return home.

“The thought of leaving India for other labour destinations did cross my mind but my heart yearned for home and I returned in 2014,” Indra said. Since then, he has been running the salon in Tamghas with his wife.

The support his life partner Monika provided was truly extraordinary, Indra said. “She deserves credit for all our successes and progress.” Their families also provided great encouragement to the Kunwar duo.

However, Indra and Monika are aware that the society may not hold them in highest regard. But that does not bother them because this occupation has it all. “It is good income at low investment,” Indra shared. “This is a job where I can display and constantly upgrade my skills while staying close to my friends and family.”

The Kunwars shared that they earned around Rs. 70,000 per month from their business which allows them to pay the bills and give their two kids – a son and a daughter – the education they did not get. Their daughter currently studies in grade 12 and can also style hair like her parents. Their son is in grade 7.

Additionally, the couple has also provided employment to three people. They have also partnered with the local government to provide training courses lasting four to six months. Through these courses, they claimed to have trained over 150 people in styling hair and providing beauty treatments.Indra is also the Gulmi district vice president of the Barbers’ Union of Nepal.