India’s First Woman Barber Shantabai’s Moving Story Is A Lesson For Us To Never Give Up In Life

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

But how many of us really make lemonade? How many of us get drowned in the torrent of lemons life throws at us and just give up?

Shantabai Yadav was married off when she was just 12 years old. Her husband was a farmer who owned 3 acres of farmland in Gadhinglaj Taluka, Kolhapur. He was also a part-time barber. Life was going OK just before it started going downhill very fast for Shantabai –

1. Two of her children died right after childbirth.

2. She lost her husband due to heart attack

3. Her husband’s brothers took over the farmland because he owed them money.

4. Shantabai was left with 4 daughters to feed and no job in sight.

The turn of events is enough to knock the wind out of a normal human being. But not Shantabai. She wasn’t out of choices. She could have gone back to her maternal home or she could ask for help from her husband’s family. But she chose neither. She wanted to be independent. And so she did what she knew best.

She went to work on a farm as a labourer. She toiled hard for 8 hours a day in the fields for a meager 50 paise. Yes, that’s half a rupee for a full day’s work. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to tell you that 50 paise, even back in 1985 is not sufficient to feed a family of five.

That’s when inspiration struck Shantabai. She turned to her late husband’s part-time profession for making her meager ends meet.

But in rural India, even a barber’s profession is frowned upon if a widow takes it up. But Shantabai gave zero shits about what society thought about it and went ahead with her plan anyway. Because if she didn’t, her 4 daughters would probably die of starvation.

 

She picked up her husband’s ustra and went to work. To avoid a controversy, she started giving her barber services to only close friends.

The villagers started gossipping about her ‘services’. She was called names but she didn’t mind. She worked all day at the farm and then came home and worked her second job, ignoring the gossip about her.

“I wasn’t the type to pay much heed to such chatter. All I wanted was to lead a dignified life, and bring up my daughters in a happy environment.”

She even charged just half the normal rate barbers took in her village.

 

When the gossip became too much a respectable man from the village took Shantabai to the village square and got a shave from her in public view

Haribhau Kadukar was sick of the rumors flying around and wanted to correct it. He got a shave from Shantabai in front of the whole village and announced that she was just trying to earn an honest living. He also said that he will not tolerate any more gossip about her.

Things got really better after Haribhau stood up for Shantabai.

 

Soon enough she became a barber full time, giving up her farm job. Many men now lined up for a shave outside her house.

She wasn’t paid in cash but with grain. For a year’s service, she was paid 10 kilos of grain. That meant enough food for her children.

 

And soon enough she expanded her operation to the nearby villages. She even went to farmers and shaved buffaloes

She walked 4-5 kilometers every day to give people in nearby villages haircuts and shaves. And who knew buffaloes needed hair maintenance?! And when the farmers needed it Shantabai was on call! She even used a different razor for the buffaloes – a true professional.

 

She achieved fame and popularity for her fighting and entrepreneurial spirit. Schools also employed her as their official barber.

She won many awards in recognition for her bravery. Bravery in fighting society’s norms. Bravery to bring up 4 daughters singlehandedly without a husband.

 

All four of her daughters are happily married now. She paid for each of their marriages. Shantabai charges Rs. 20 for a shave today.

Even after losing her husband, 2 infants and all her farmland, she did not give up. People say single motherhood is tough. Well, single motherhood with four children and no money is tougher. Shantabai’s story is an example for all of us to never ever give up. Whatever the circumstances. However bleak the outlook is.

She has grown old but she has still not given up on her profession. Her son-in-law asked her to stay with his family but Shantabai refused politely.

Because even at this age she does not want to depend on anyone.

“I personally believe that as long as I am able to work, I will not depend on anyone. The ustra is the symbol of my freedom.”

Her husband would have been so proud.

Source – The Golden Sparrow