Kolkata (Calcutta), India was an unforgettable trip as we tasted many of the excellent street food options including the chicken egg roll, puchkas, and bhapa doi. We rode on the crowded train from Howrah Station, stopped to visit the Ganges River, and drank coffee in the iconic College Street Coffee House. Hoping in and out of rickshaws, Ubers, and taxis, we experienced the vibrant culture that is the home to over 12 million people. Knowing that getting a shave in an authentic street barber shop was a must, I set out to find the perfect location for my experience in the barber chair in Kolkata.
This saloon is a barber lover’s dream. These guys bring a level of experience that is unparalleled. You will see a wide variety of treatments happening behind me throughout my shave. Yes, they might not necessarily have the best tools of the trade but they make great use of everything they do have. There are many shops like this along the streets in India but this particular shop had a vibe that pulled me in and made we want to sit in the chair. In a city with the population of Kolkata that always seems chaotic and out of control, there was a calm feeling of sitting in the chair even though the rickshaws honked and the noise continued on the streets.
If you want to watch the ASMR version of the visit in Kolkata check out this video on YouTube.
If you want to listen to all of the fun we had in Kolkata, India, listen to Podcast 53: Kolkata (Calcutta) India {23 Hours in the City of Joy}.
EPISODE DETAILS:
Mukta Keshi Hair Cutting Saloon
Rabindra Sarani, Bag Bazar Colony,
Baghbazar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700003, India
Barber: Udesshwar Thakur
Service: Beard Trim + Neck Shave
Special Thanks: Pratik Jio
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To understand why I love barber shops, the craft, the tradition, and why I decided to document my journeys around the world, please read my post that also describes why I think barber shops help build confidence, independence, and teach us how to be a gentleman. Read the full details in this blog post about World Barber Shop Adventures.
Video production support: Austin Trachsel
© All video, photos, and audio are owned by me. Rights to all music in these videos have been paid for in full through the proper channels. If any producer or label has a question with any of the tracks please get in contact (matt@passportjoy.com) and it will be addressed. Thank you!