MISCELLANEOUS OCCUPATIONS

HAIR-CUTTING SALOONS

Hair cutting saloons are generally found in towns and big villages. Their origin and growth can be attributed to modern ways of life. Till recently, an itinerant barber with a satchel containing requisite instruments, was to be seen moving about from place to place. He used to call on every customer's house. However, the change in habits, tastes and fashions of the people have together caused the establishment of hair-cutting saloons.

The occupation is followed by the persons belonging to Nhavi community as a hereditary one though others can follow it. While the total number of persons engaged in the occupation was 1,563 in 1951, it was 1934 in 1961.

The tools and equipment consist of a pair of scissors, cropping machines, combs and razors. The total cost of equipment ranges between Rs. 100 and Rs. 150. Similarly, items like soap, oil, snow, powder are also required. The expenditure on them, however, depends on the total turnover and is found to be varying between Rs. 15 to Rs. 25 per month.

In villages a barber is found to supplement his earnings by taking to agriculture. In cities and towns, as the business is fairly good the owner employs artisans on daily or monthly wages. The number of such artisans, depending on the size of an establishment, varies between 3 and 5. The wages of an artisan employed on daily wage basis are fifty per cent, of the value of the total work done. His daily earnings thus range from Rs. 2.50 to Rs. 4.50. An artisan, employed on monthly wages gets Rs. 90 to Rs. 120.

A shop owner has to pay rent, wages and incur comparatively more expenditure on accessories. Still his net income is generally found to be fairly good. The income of a shop in the district is found to be ranging between Rs. 125 and Rs. 300 per month.

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