Village headshave (offering in field) Part 1

The Fertility Offerings Shreya opened the door of the flat and entered. As she took off her slippers, she heard her mom Sandhya call from the kitchen,
"Shreya, is that you?" "Yes mom." she answered going into the kitchen. "So, how was your final exam?" asked her mom. "I did fine." Shreya replied. "Good. Lunch will be ready in a few minutes. Why don’t you go wash your face and come?" asked her mom. "Sure." replied Shreya heading off to the bathroom.

A few minutes later, she and her mom were settled down to lunch. "Shreya, we are going to our village next week." said Sandhya. "What for, mom?" asked Shreya. "It's a family custom darling. Every sixth year, all women in our family who have attained
puberty and are not yet in menopause get their heads shaved at the temple of the goddess of our fields. And in the sixth year, the fields are left to lie fallow. It's our way of giving thanks to the goddess for giving us such a beautiful crop year after year." "Mom, but a head shave?" protested Shreya. "Now Shreya, it's bad enough that I couldn't go last time.

Don’t make things difficult for me." pleaded Sandhya. "Cant I just get a haircut? After all I used to have a bob till two years ago when I finished tenth." Shreya
tried to negotiate. "No darling. It has to be a head shave." replied Sandhya.
"If it is every six years, then how come I never saw you get shaved?" Shreya asked again. "The year I got married I had my head shaved, and again in the sixth year. You wouldn't remember that because you were only four years old. I was supposed to go the last time, but your father had just changed jobs and we could not go. I don’t want to miss this again." said Sandhya. "Wasn't that the time you got a bob cut?" asked Shreya. "Yes" sighed Sandhya. "I had the beautician cut off my plait and sent that through courier.

I couldn't get my head shaved though. It was bad enough that the plait was cut by someone who wasn’t the temple barber." "I remember the look on the beautician's face though, when you asked her to cut off your long plait." giggled Shreya. "It's not
funny Shreya. My plait was supposed to be cut at the temple, not in some fancy beauty salon." remarked Sandhya. "But why did  you keep the bob cut for so long?" Shreya asked. "To be frank, I liked the freedom of short hair." replied Sandhya. "Is that why both of us stopped getting haircuts for the past two years now?" Shreya continued to pester.

"Yes. Stop talking, started eating, and are you going to come with us and get your head shaved or not?" asked Sandhya. "Okay mom, okay,” said Shreya, "I'll also get
my head shaved if it satisfies you." "That's my girl. And besides, by the time your degree college starts, your hair will be long enough you be styled into a bob." replied Sandhya. "No mom, this time I'll wear it shorter for a while." "Whatever you wish."
replied Sandhya.

After they finished their lunch, Sandhya settled down to read a novel and Shreya was leafing through a magazine. "But what is the significance of the whole thing, mom?" asked Shreya again. "Well, just the way the goddess gives us a beautiful crop to harvest; we give her the harvest of our heads, our hair. This temple is in the middle of our orchards. We have a temple barber who does the job." replied Sandhya. "Who else will be coming?" asked Shreya. "Your aunts Balamma and Jayanti, and your cousin Pratibha, live in the village. They will be there. Vandana aunty will be coming from Vijayawada with your cousins Deepika and Divya, and
Shobha aunty will be coming with Lavanya and your cousin Ramesh's wife Sheshamma." said Sandhya.

 "How was your head shaved, mom?" "The barber's wife prepares us for the shave, and makes the ritual first cut with a pair of scissors. The barber then takes over. Usually the bulk is cut off and the remaining hair shaved. For me, when I had my head shaved three months after marriage I was very nervous. I went to the temple wearing a plait. The barber's wife removed the flowers from my plait, and made
a small cut at the base of the plait.

The barber then caped me and used scissors to cut off my plait. Then he wet the remaining hair and shaved it off. The second time, I had my hair in a bun. This time though, the barber's wife pulled the bun free and plaited my hair before making the cut. Then the barber used scissors to cut the plait as usual. But then, he used comb and scissors to cut my hair really short and then shaved the rest of my hair,” reminisced Sandhya.

 "It is not always a plait though. He can cut off a bun too, and he can shave without using scissors. I've seen it done." "It'll be fun to watch Deepika get shaved though. She always used to tease me about my bob." giggled Shreya. "That's between
you girls, but don’t tease her too much. Okay?" said Sandhya. "Awww mom..." Shreya moaned. "Enough talk. I want you to start packing today. Don't leave anything behind this time." A week went by and Shreya found herself in an idyllic village.

 Their family had extensive family lands and orchards. The harvest was just finished and preparations for the puja at the temple were underway. The eldest aunt Balamma was supervising the whole thing. A week after their arrival, one morning at breakfast Balamma announced that the preparations were complete and the head shaves would be taking place the next day. They would be leaving for the temple
at 8 AM sharp by bullock carts. Shreya slept restlessly that night.
That night at the barber's house, the barber was talking to his son Vijay, and daughter-in-law Kamala. As his wife was beyond menopause she would not be permitted to enter the temple. It would be the barber's son and his wife instead. The barber was instructing his son on procedure. "Son, pay attention. And you too my daughter. From now, it is your turn to carry out the fertility goddess' sacrificial shaves. You will have to give your wife a new pair of scissors. She will be the representative of the goddess.

But, because she is a woman, she is forbidden from shaving hair. She will instead prepare each of the women as she sees fit and make a ritual cut. The unmarried girls are not to be prepared, unless they are wearing their hair loose. After that, you have to shave their heads. It doesn’t matter how you shave them, though. The first snip can be made anywhere, and your wife may also cut some length at the end of the hair. Again, not more than six inches. You may also cut the entire length of hair of one of the married women, but not the girls. Is it clear?" The barber's son and daughter in law nodded in unison.

"Balamma will decide the order in which they get shaved. She will be the first. Also, when one woman is being shaved, the next one should be in the process of getting prepared. Once the offerings are complete, the cut hair will be placed in the temple at the feet of the goddess for a week. After one week, Kamala, you should go and take that hair. It would then belong to you. Also, that night, you must get your own head shaved by Vijay. This is the surrendering of your own ego." "As you say, father. But what shall we do with the hair?" asked Kamala. "You can keep it if you want, or ask your husband to sell it for you.

But under no circumstances should the hair be thrown away." "Okay father." she replied. She was getting very excited at the turn of events. She would give weekly oil head massages to Balamma, Jayanti and Pratibha. She always fantasized about watching their hair being cut. It looked like her dreams were coming true. Not only of watching the women get shaved, but also her own shave.

Later in the privacy of their bedroom, she approached her husband and said, "I have something to ask you." "What is it dear?" he
asked her.
"Will you shave their heads the way I want to see it done?"
"What do you have in mind?"
"Will you do it?"
"I will, but you have to answer my question." he smiled at her.
"Okay. I want you to cut off Balamma's hair in a bun and then wet shave her."
"Okay. Any other plans?"
"Yes. I want you to cut Jayanti's plait and shorten her hair before shaving her. Oh, and, wet the hair before you shorten it."
"You seem to have planned these..."
She snuggled close to him and he put his arm around her. "Just a fantasy. Will you indulge me?"
"Sure dear. What about the rest? We don’t know how many women are there."
"Let's see now... If I make the snip at the crown, then I want you to shave directly and not use scissors. A cut anywhere else
means I want you to cut the bun or plait first."
"Okay. How about shortening of hair then?"
"Hmmmm... This does not apply to Jayanti. If I run my thumb along the blades of the scissors after the snip, or if I cut the entire
plait off, then I want you to dry shorten the hair. If I cut a little from the ends, then I want you to wet shorten."
"Pretty complicated. But I'll do it for you. But are you willing to shave your head as well?"
"Yes. I've always wanted to. I know my hair is long, but if you are the one to shave it, I will gladly submit to it." Next morning the place was a beehive of activity. But under Balamma's efficient supervision, everyone was ready by 8 AM and by
8:30 they were in the temple. Vijay and Kamala were waiting there for them. He approached Balamma and said, "My lady, I am taking my father's place as you know my mother is no more allowed to come to this temple." “I know. So long as you know what is to be done." replied Balamma. "Don’t worry, my Lady. I will take care of everything. Please come. Everything is ready for you." The temple had a covered and raised platform about two feet high and at one end was the sanctum of the goddess, set about 5 feet higher up from the floor of the platform. Carpets had been laid out on either side of the sanctum leaving an aisle leading up to it.

There was a stool in line with the sanctum. A large basket was beside the stool. There was one more stool to the rear. All of them went and sat on the carpet while Balamma proceeded to start the worship. She lit the lamps and laid a couple of garlands on the goddess. Then she picked up a small box and asked the barber, "Are the scissors new?" "Yes, my lady." he replied. She laid the box at the feet of the goddess, closed her eyes and prayed for a couple of minutes. Then she took the box and gave it to the barber along with a water sprayer, and a few folded large white sheets. The box contained the tools the barber would be using: Scissors, comb, straight razor and half a dozen blades for the razor. Balamma applied a turmeric and vermillion dot on all of them, except the blades. She lit a lamp and placed it in front of the stool between it and the sanctum. One of the servants accompanying
them had brought a bucket of water from the temple well. Kamala filled the sprayer with the water in the bucket and took a comb and the new scissors. It was time for the offerings to begin.
+---+
| | Sanctum
+-----+---+-----+
| |
| * | Lamp
| |
| # | Cutting Stool
| |
| +----+ +----+ |
| | | | | |
| | | | | | Sitting area.
| | | | | |
| +----+ +----+ |
| # | Preparation stool
| |
+---------------+

Balamma's shave
Balamma got up and sat on the preparation stool facing the goddess, hands in her lap. She was wearing a white sari with a dark red border. The rest of the women on either side sat silently. Kamala came up and removed the ring of flowers around Balamma's large and thick bun. This was expertly tied halfway between the crown and the nape. Kamala then pulled it free and started to comb out her thick butt length hair. Balamma felt the comb glide through her thick locks. She was forty eight and this would probably be the last time for her on the stool. She sat quite still as the barber's wife prepared her.

After a few minutes of combing, Kamala pulled the hair tightly to the nape and tied it in a bun again. Balamma's head bobbed as her hair was tied in a large thick
bun once again. But this time, it was lower down at the nape. The preparations were complete. She barely heard the words "Please come" spoken by Kamala. She got up and followed Kamala to the shaving stool. Balamma knelt in front of the goddess and touched her forehead to the ground. "Jayanti, you are next." said Balamma as she got up to sit on the stool. She bent her head in supplication. The scissors were ready. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Kamala stand beside her and the blade of the scissors enter her hair. Everyone watched intently as the scissors slid into her hair and there was a loud snip. The ritual cut was made and it was time for the barber to take over.

Vijay came up to Balamma and placed sheets and the box containing the tools beside her on the floor. He unfolded a sheet he covered her with it and then drew then ends around her neck. Pulling it close, he tucked the ends in, securing it as a cape. The fell past her knees and hung down at the back. Then he adjusted the sheet to make sure it covered her completely. He bent  her head gently and squeezed the large thick bun. It was soft and silky, and tied very tight. He bent down and took out the  scissors. He placed a hand on her head and bent her head forward. She knew what was coming and bent her head. On the stool, she would have to surrender completely to the barber irrespective of her position in life. Her hair was now in the barber's control.

He snipped the scissors in the air a few times and then slid the scissors into her locks above the bun and closed them. There was a loud snip as the sharp scissors cut through the section of hair. The bun did not move. Not yet. Balamma closed her eyes. Meanwhile, Hearing Balamma's words Jayanti got up and pulled the pallu of her sari around her waist. It was a sky blue sari with a dark blue border. She was forty three years of age and this was the fourth time on the stool. She would have to shave once more in her life. Then she walked to the stool and sat down with her hands and her pallu in her lap.

Her hair too was tied in a thick bun with flowers around it. Kamala was waiting for her and removed the flowers. Catching her husband's eyes, she flashed him a quick
smile. She squeezed Jayanti's bun it gently feeling the texture of her hair. If anything, her bun was thicker than Balamma's. Pushing her thumb into the centre, she pulled it hair loose. The almost knee length silky hair unwound and fell hanging a foot from
the floor.

Vijay, standing beside Balamma, continued to snip away at the hair as it entered the twist of the bun. Snip after snip seemed to echo through the silent orchard. Everyone seated there had a clear view of the hair being snipped away. Slowly the bun began to part from the head as more and more sections of hair were cut. The women on either side could clearly see the bun slowly move down. Balamma felt the weight of her butt long hair move to a constantly decreasing section at her nape as the snips resounded in her ears. She felt his hand on her head, holding it down firmly. She did not resist. A fine sprinkling of hair had fallen on her neck and cape. But this was just the beginning.

She felt the weight of her hair sudden ease as he picked up the bun and put the
scissors to the last section. He slid the scissors onto it and started to cut through the final section. The sound of the sharp scissors slicing and snipping though her hair filled Bala's ears. There was a resounding snip as the scissors cut the heavy bun free.

Jayanti could not help but watch in helplessness as her co-sister's bun was being cut. It filled her with an impeding sense of despair. Jayanti felt her hair gathered up and tried to relax as her hair was being combed out. But it was not easy. She knew that
the time for the shave was fast approaching. The barber was more than half way through snipping away at Balamma's bun. She
usually enjoyed it when someone combed out her hair. But this was not the occasion. The barber let the bun fall to the floor. Placing the scissors in his shirt pocket, he then picked up the water sprayer and started to wet Bala’s hair. Some of the mist drifted towards the women sitting close. The barber used his fingers to thoroughly massage the water into Bala's hair, enjoying the feel of the thick silky locks of hair becoming wet. It fell around her in a wet limp and rough bob.
Once the hair was thoroughly wet, the barber took the comb and started to comb out the hair, parting it in the middle.

Water dripped from the comb and from the ends of her hair as she was prepared for the final shave. He took up the razor and a blade and broke the blade neatly in half. One half was dropped back into the box and the other half, inserted into the razor.
This was Kamala's cue to stop combing. She'd have to finish plaiting Jayanti's hair before her husband finished shaving Balamma. She divided Jayanti’s hair into three sections and started to weave a tight plait. Preparing the beautiful hair for her husband's scissors delighted her. Jayanti sat still; there was nothing she could do now, but to submit.

She sat still as Kamala expertly wove her hair into a thick plait. She knew she could cut Jayanti’s plait if she wanted, but she decided to let her husband cut it. She had
an eye on another woman's (Shobha) plait that was the same length and thickness.
Vijay was quite busy with Balamma. He stood in front of her and placed his hand on her head again, bending it to position. Using his thumb he stretched her scalp at the beginning of the hair parting an inch from the crown. Bala felt the blade of the razor against her scalp as the barber expertly ran it down the hair parting. An inch wide strip of scalp was exposed. Then he moved to her right temple and started to shave straight down from the parting. Quick neat strokes laid bare more and more of her scalp as the barber worked down the sides towards her ear. Thick wet clumps of hair hung for a while before falling to the sheet covering her.

Odd strands of hair stuck to her cheeks. He reached her right ear and stopped.
Kamala was taking her time with Jayanti's plait. It was coming along beautifully. She was sorely tempted to cut it, but managed to overcome the temptation. She would get her chance with the other woman anyway. She smiled to herself at that thought. She paused to comb the hair a little and continued with her appointed task. She felt a twinge that she wouldn't get to oil and massage this silky hair for quite some time, but that soon passed as well. Vijay now moved to Balamma's left side, and shaved in a similar manner and the pile of wet hair in Bala's lap continued to grow.
She was half shaved now. Then he bent her head forward. He turned her head a bit, and ensuring that the women sitting could still see what was happening. Then, starting at the crown, he shaved a clean strip down to her nape. A lock of wet hair tumbled to the floor, landing on the bun which had been scissored off barely a few minutes ago. He adjusted her head again and started shaving from the top towards her ears, pushing the hair onto the sheet. He folded her right ear to shave carefully behind it.

Then he did the same to her left ear. Starting on the back he pushed her head down till her chin was on her chest. Bala obediently bent her head the way he wanted. He started shaving down from the top, clearing away towards the nape in straight strokes. As she felt the razor move towards her nape, she realized that her shave was coming to a close. Kamala meanwhile had finished with Jayanti's plait. She secured the end with an elastic band, leaving about six inches free. She
picked up the plait and ran her hands down it feeling the texture and squeezing it into shape. Jayanti saw the shave coming to a close. Her own shave was now very, very close. Balamma opened her eyes and saw the large heap of wet hair in her lap. The
cape was wet in her lap because of the wet hair. Her heart sank to see her lovely hair lying in wet clumps in her lap. The barber continued to shave away the remaining locks, running the razor down her neck to clean it up. She was shaved clean. She had a ring of wet hair on the back of her neck and wet hair clinging all over the cape. The barber removed the hair from her neck and pushed it into her lap. Then he undid the sheet and carefully took it off. Picking up the bun, he dropped it in the basket.

She took a towel from one of the servant girls who had accompanied them, and wiped her head. The barber shook the cape out letting the hair fall to the floor. The stool was now ready for Jayanti.