Indian Blogger shaved her head
October 18, 2017
Source : https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/opinion/comment/blog-why-i-decided-to-shave-my-head/articleshow/60732297.cms
May 1, 2017: I got down from the bus at McLeod Ganj from Delhi. The first thing I asked the first local I could spot was, "Is there a barber shop nearby?"
I went straight to the barber shop he pointed to and inquired if the barber there was free to shave my head. The barber was probably stunned since he was unable to comprehend my decision as I had beautiful hair. He asked me multiple times if I was sure about shaving my head. After assuring him that I had made up my mind, he reluctantly took the razor, and I recorded the whole process on my DSLR.
BLOG: WHY I DECIDED TO SHAVE MY HEAD
By Priyamvada Mangal
"Oh my God! Why would you do this?"
"Oh my God! Why would you do this?"
"Are you into girls?
"Are you sick?"
These were some of the initial reactions I received after I decided to shave my shoulder length hair when I went on a solo trip to McLeod Ganj on 1st May.
Traditionally, people in India shaved their heads after the death of a family member. If the father dies, his sons shave their heads—this is practiced even today. In certain communities in India, women have to shave their heads after their husband's death. Most Indians widely practice the custom of shaving the head of a newborn so that the child's hair is of a better quality. Some people shave their head as a devotional practice to fulfill their vows before the deities. A man in my office told me that he had shaved his head because he wanted to even out the balding patches that he did not like. Illnesses could be another reason why people shave their heads.
Shaving off your hair is considered a bad omen or a taboo. More so, if it's a lady who has done it.
Why did I shave my head?
Basically because I wanted to!
Back in 2001, I had seen a classmate shave her head when we were in school. I thought it was the coolest thing, and I wanted to do it too since then ... at least once in my life. During my first Vipassana course in 2012, I bumped into a Chinese lady with shiny clean shaven head. At that very moment, my desire to go bald reached it's peak. .
I completed my post-graduation in April 2017 and had recovered from my devastated state of setting parts from my then-partner. I thought this was the safest point in life to experiment with the ultimate "hair style" that I wanted to get. It would not really be awkward in college and at least my boyfriend would not "break-up" with me for going bald. Just kidding. Not!
While other women choose to scent, straighten, perm, colour, beautify their hair using various products, I chose to shave all my hair off. I absolutely love my hair, and I've kept my shaved hair in the cupboard, isn't hair just one of the waste products of the body?
Only three people knew beforehand that I was to shave my head: my sister Dimple, my cousin Sean, and my favourite professor Naidu Sir. If I would have told this to my family, they would have emotionally blackmailed me and convinced me not to shave my head. So I decided to just go for it, and let them figure it out later. Anyways it's just my hair; it would grow back, I told myself.
The only thing that petrified me, was regretting my own decision at any point of my hair growth. I tried contacting a few NGOs so that I could donate my hair to people who need it, but they told me they cannot use my hair as I did not wash it before shaving. If you know any person who can make use of my hair for a good cause, please do reach out to me .
Flashback to how I did it:
I went straight to the barber shop he pointed to and inquired if the barber there was free to shave my head. The barber was probably stunned since he was unable to comprehend my decision as I had beautiful hair. He asked me multiple times if I was sure about shaving my head. After assuring him that I had made up my mind, he reluctantly took the razor, and I recorded the whole process on my DSLR.
Having my head shaven was an amazingly liberating feeling. It made me experience a high of being totally free in that moment. The feeling amplified because of the fresh and clean air of the mountains of McLeod Ganj. Numerous psychological articles say that a woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life. It was a new beginning for me. A new thought process and a new perspective which was more pronounced after my meditation course. It symbolized leaving my old thoughts, grudges, negative and self-destructive patterns behind, and looking at life in a brand new way. Owning my mistakes, taking responsibility for my thoughts, actions and relationships, and striving towards everything I wanted to achieve in life. However, this was not the initial thought I had in my head.
After I returned from my solo trip, I tied a scarf on my head for two days. Obviously I was petrified of the ensuing reactions from my family . My mom didn't talk to me for two weeks. My father introduced me by saying, "This is my daughter, but she's bald," so that people do not assume that I am a boy. People mistook me for one with this hairstyle coupled with the tomboy dressing.
When my dad's best friends compared my look to that of Persis Khambatta and Sinead O'Connor (really pretty ladies, Google them), my mom thought that my shaved head wasn't as bad an idea as she thought it was and slowly resumed speaking with me. Some people started calling me Dangal girl, (which rhymes with my surname) in a good way, of course!
6 comments
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ReplyDeleteGreat Read!
ReplyDeleteAfter my summer after my freshman year of college. Post my semester abroad I decided to Head Shaving It was a little scary at first, but once I got over the fear of cutting off all my hair, it was great! It's been so much more convenient to get ready in the morning and not have to worry about any tangles.
Best Head Shaver is one of the best ways to get rid of hair. I love it because it's cheap and easy, and it doesn't take long to do. You can shave your head whenever you want, which is great for me because I'm always in a hurry!
ReplyDeleteIt might hurt a little at first, but after that, it feels amazing. My head feels so smooth and light afterwards. It's like walking around with a new head!
I would recommend head shaver because I think it's a great way to save money, especially if you're trying to cut down on the amount of products you use. I've noticed that my hair grows back much faster when it's shaved off, so I don't have to spend as much time and money on haircuts.
ReplyDeleteI am a huge fan of the head shaver groomie. It's incredibly easy to use, and I can get my entire head shaved in about two minutes. The best part is that there is no risk of nicks and cuts (as long as you don't press too hard), so you can shave your head without worrying about getting cut.
ReplyDeleteVisit for more - https://www.amazon.com/GROOMIE-BaldiePro-Electric-Head-Shaver-men/dp/B09NMGB3FR/
I've been using Head Shaver for six months and my bald head is finally starting to grow back. It's a little itchy, but nothing I can't handle. I just wish my hair would grow back faster!
ReplyDelete