Two brothers from a Dalit community near Mysuru, Karnataka, have become heroes for members of their community. The two brothers, who live in Kappasoge village in the Mysuru district, have become house-to-house barbers armed with scissors and razors. They also serve the neighbouring villages like Guruhundi, Gaudarahundi and Madanahalli. They offer not only haircuts but also all kinds of barber services including shaving.
KP Mahadeva and KP Siddaraju are the two brothers from the Dalit community providing doorstep service, including haircuts, to their community.
The majority of the people living in the areas where these brothers provide barber services are from the Dalit community. They say it was difficult to get a haircut. Barbershops within the village have sometimes denied haircuts to the Dalit community due to various issues. They had to go to Ullahalli or Nanjangud if they wanted to get a haircut or shave. Now these 2 brothers have found an enterprising solution to the social problem prevailing in the area.
Speaking to the press, Mahadeva, one of the brothers, said that their service would not only help their community to make money but also help maintain social harmony and ensure that there would be no hostility between the communities in the villages. Mahadeva said he wanted to set up excellent saloons in Dalit colonies in villages in an effort to end social tensions and strengthen harmony and brotherhood among the people.
The brothers have been providing their doorstep services to the public since the coronavirus pandemic. They charge ₹40 for a haircut and ₹20 for a shave. The brothers, who have been in the business for the past 8 years, hope that the government will provide financial assistance to alleviate any such problems that may arise in their community.
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