The Legendary Head Shave Tales

The memory took Samantha back many years, one quiet afternoon during the lockdown. Trisha sat on the floor with little Samantha in her lap, gently playing with her soft hair while the baby samantha made small sounds and tried to grab her fingers. Trisha said worriedly, “Ravi… our Tirumala vow is still pending. Temple is closed, travel also not allowed. What to do now?” Ravi sat nearby calmly and replied, “Vow is vow, Trisha. We cannot postpone, its already too late.” Trisha frowned, “But who all should get head shave now?” Ravi answered simply, “All of us. Me, Sam and you too Trisha.” Trisha’s eyes widened, “Ayyo no, Ravi! Head shave ah? I cant imagine myself bald at all.” Ravi smiled softly, knowing her nature, “Trisha, don’t worry, It’s only hair, and it will grow back” She shook her head, as baby Samantha was pulling Trisha's hair and she was getting irritated. After a pause, Trisha asked, “Okay… but where will we do it?” Ravi thought for a moment, “Barbershop is not so safe…” T...

Monday morning sunlight peeked through the curtains, falling on Nishan’s messy long hair. Samantha shook him gently, “Nishu! Wake up ra… today we are going to the barbershop, remember?” Nishan groaned, putting his face in the pillow. “Ayyo amma, five more minutes…” Samantha tapped his shoulder, smiling, “Aiyuo dont worry after haircut i will get you ice-cream, okay now get up fast” At once, Nishan sat up, rubbing his eyes, “Oho… fine fine amma, I’m coming!” Samantha ruffled his damp hair, noticing how fast it had grown and how sweaty he was, “Ayyo, you sweat so much ra… hair grows very fast. Summer is too hot, get some short haircut.” They walked down the dusty lane to the old village barbershop. Samantha felt a flicker of nostalgia as she entered the shop but she didn’t express much. Charan, a young barber, waved cheerfully and asked who was getting haircut and Samantha pointed towards nishan and helped him onto the chair. “Bro, give him something short for this summer, heat is too mu...

Somavaram udayam surya kanti curtainlu nunchi Nishan gajibiji ga unna podugu juttu meeda paddadi. Samantha athanini mellaga uputu, "Nishu! Le ra… ee roju manam mangali dukhan ki veltunnamu, gurtundi ga?" Nishan pillow lo mukham dachukoni mellaga cheppadu, "Ayyo amma, inko 5 minutes…" Samantha navvutu atani bhujam thatti, "Ayyo bhayam enduku, haircut tarvatha niku ice-cream konista, okay na? Ippudu twaraga le." Ice-cream mata vinagane, Nishan ventane kurchuni kallu nimithe, "Oho… sare sare amma, vastunnanu!" Samantha atani thadi juttuni nimuruthu, "Ayyo, niku chala chemata padutundi ra… juttu chala vegam ga perugutundi. Vesavi kalam chala uduku ga undi, konchem short haircut cheyinchuko." Vallu aa patha palletoori Mangali dukhanam ki vellaru. Samantha lopalki vellagane aameku konchem gatha gurtulu vachayi, kani aame ekkuvaga bayataku chupinchaledu. Charan ane oka yuva mangali navvutu evariki haircut ani adigadu. Samantha Nishan ni chupis...

Radhika stood near the mirror, adjusting the pleats of her saree again and again. Her long, thick curly hair middle parted and left loose which touched her hips, it was still wet after bath. Her mother in law Sarojamma’s voice came from the bed, “Radhika, hurry up. Why are you worrying so much? Hair will go in few hours anyway.” Radhika smiled lightly and said, “I know amma… just feeling a bit nervous. as it is my First time.” Sarojamma replied, “Everyone feels like that. Dont worry about the head shave and hurry up.” From downstairs Athul’s voice came faintly, “Amma, auto is waiting come fast.” Sarojamma nodded and continued, “I and athul are also getting our head shaved, When everyone is doing, why fear? Atleast after this head shave you both may have children” Radhika touched her hair slowly, took a deep breath and said softly, “Okay amma.” They packed her saree blouse, towel, and soap in a small bag. Sarojamma picked up the coconut and flowers. As they stepped out, Sarojamma said t...

Radhika addam mundu nilabadi, tana cheera kuchillu ni malli malli sardukuntondi. Aame podugu, dattamaina girajala juttu madhyalo papidi teesi vaduluga vadilesindi, adi aame nadumu varaku tagulutondi. Snanam tarvatha adi inka tadigaane undi. Aame atha garu Sarojamma vari gontu mancham nunchi vinipinchindi, "Radhika, twaraga kaani. Enduku itla aalochistunnav? Yelago konni gantallo juttu poyede kada." Radhika mellaga navvi ila andi, "Telusu athamma… konchem bhayam ga undi. Idi na modati saari gundu kada anduke." Sarojamma badulu ichindi, "Andariki alaage untundi. Aa gundu gurinchi kangaru padaku, twaraga ra." Kinda nunchi Athul gontu mellaga vinipinchindi, "Amma, auto vadu wait chestunade, jaldi randi." Sarojamma thala uupi, "Nenu mariyu Athul kuda gundu cheyinchukuntunnamu. Andaru chestunnapudu bhayam enduku? Kanisam ee gundu tarvatha ayina meeku pillalu pudataremo." Radhika tana juttuni mellaga thaki, deergha swasa teeskuni, "Sare ...