Legendary Head Shave Tales
The family sat together for dinner when Lavanya’s grandmother cleared her throat and spoke in a firm voice. “It’s time for Lavanya’s head shave at the temple,” she declared, her tone leaving no room for argument. The room fell silent. Lavanya looked at her mother and sister, hoping someone would support her. “But why now, Ajji?” Manasa asked, though she already knew the answer. “You know the rule in our family,” the grandmother replied. “Every girl must shave her head once before adulthood as a mark of purity and devotion. I did it, your mother did it, and even you did it seven years ago, Manasa. Now it’s Lavanya’s turn.” Lavanya turned to her sister in shock.
“You shaved your head?” Manasa nodded casually. “Yes, but that was years ago. It wasn’t a big deal.” “Not a big deal?” Lavanya whispered, gripping her thick braid. To her, it was everything. “I’m not doing it,” Lavanya said firmly. Her mother sighed. “Lavanya, it’s just a tradition. We all have to follow it.” “I said no,” Lavanya repeated, pushing her plate away and leaving the table.For the next few days, Lavanya refused to agree. Whenever her mother or Manasa brought it up, she ignored them. “Lavanya, it’s just hair, it will grow back,” her mother reasoned. “Ajji will not let this go,” Manasa added. “Just do it and move on.”
But Lavanya couldn’t accept it. Her long hair was not just hair—it was a part of her. She loved trying new styles, braiding it neatly every morning, feeling its weight on her back. One evening, Lavanya sat on her bed, clutching her long braid. She had resisted all day, but she knew her family wouldn’t let this go. Her mother walked in, holding the phone. “Appa wants to talk to you.” Lavanya hesitated but took the phone. “Hello?” Her father’s voice was calm. “Lavanya, I know you don’t want this, but it’s our family tradition. Your mother, ajji, and even Manasa did it. Just a few minutes, kanna. Your hair will grow back.” Lavanya’s throat tightened. “But Appa… I love my hair.” “I understand,”
he sighed. “But sometimes, we do things for family. You’re a strong girl, aren’t you?” Tears welled up in her eyes. She wanted to protest, but she couldnt . her mother hugged her. “I know this is hard, but trust me, it’s for the best. Just come to the temple with us. We’ll only pray.” After days of pressure and persuasion, Lavanya finally agreed to go to the temple, thinking it was just a visit. The temple was crowded with devotees. Lavanya walked inside with her mother and Manasa, feeling uneasy but trying to stay calm. Then, as they reached a small side hall, Manasa gently took her hand and stopped walking. “Lavanya,” Manasa said hesitantly. “We… we brought you here for your head shave.” For a moment, Lavanya didn’t understand.
Then, she saw a barber sitting on a stool, sharpening his razor. A woman was getting her head shaved in front of them, her long hair falling in heaps around her. Lavanya’s breath caught in her throat. They had lied to her. They had tricked her. She turned to her mother, her eyes wide with shock. “Amma…?” Her mother avoided her gaze but gently held her shoulders. “It’s already decided, Lavanya. It will be over in a few minutes.” Tears welled up in Lavanya’s eyes, but she was too shy, too introverted to create a scene. She felt numb as her mother guided her towards the barber. Lavanya sat on the small wooden stool, her hands trembling. The barber didn’t say a word. He simply grabbed her thick braid, twisted it a little, and with a sharp blade, sliced it off in one go. Lavanya gasped softly. She felt the weight of her hair leave her head, and a chill ran through her. The barber poured water over her head, making her short, uneven hair cling to her scalp. Then, he took a straight razor and began shaving.
Scrrrk Scrrrk Scrrrk Scrrrk Scrrrk.
The sound of the razor gliding over her scalp filled the room. Lavanya closed her eyes, her heart breaking with every stroke. The cold metal scraped against her skin, removing every trace of her long hair. Her mother placed a hand on her shoulder, a weak attempt at comfort. “It’s almost done, kanna.” Lavanya didn’t respond. She just sat there, silent, feeling betrayed, humiliated, and lost. After a few more minutes, the barber wiped her head clean.
It was over. As she stood up, she didn’t dare touch her smooth head. She didn’t want to feel it. The grandmother smiled approvingly. “Now, you look pure, just like our tradition demands.” Manasa didn’t say anything. Guilt was visible in her eyes. Back home, Lavanya avoided mirrors. She didn’t want to see herself bald. She felt ugly, exposed. The next morning, she refused to go to college. “People will stare at me,” she said. “Then cover your head with a dupatta,” Manasa suggested. Feeling a little better, Lavanya agreed. But before leaving, her grandmother stopped her. “Don’t cover it,” she said firmly. “It’s a blessing, not something to hide.” So, Lavanya went to college with her bald head exposed.
As she walked into class, her classmates looked at her in surprise, but they didn’t say much. Lavanya was always quiet, and they weren’t sure how to react. But Lavanya only cared about one person—Raj. He looked at her, paused for a moment, and then laughed softly in surprise. “Did he laugh at me? Or was he just surprised? But… he didn’t even look at me properly.” She lowered her head, feeling the cool air touch her smooth scalp. The absence of her long braid made her feel exposed, like everyone’s eyes were on her. “I have nothing to hide behind now… just my bald head for everyone to see. Do I really look that different?” Her fingers twitched, tempted to touch her scalp, to cover it somehow. But she clenched them into fists, forcing herself to stay still. The laughter faded, but the uneasy feeling didn’t .
That afternoon, Lavanya returned home to an empty house—Ajji was asleep, and Amma and Manasa were out shopping. The silence wrapped around her as she stepped into her room.A sudden urge took over her. What if I shave it again? Completely smooth this time? Without hesitation, she stepped into the bathroom and locked the door. Her heartbeat quickened as she grabbed the razor and a bowl of warm water. She lathered her scalp with soap, her fingers massaging the foam in slow, deliberate circles. The coolness sent a shiver down her spine. She picked up the razor and placed it against her head. As the first stroke glided across her scalp, a soft scraping sound filled the air. She inhaled sharply.
It was different from yesterday—this time, she was in control. She pressed a little firmer, ensuring no tiny stubble remained. Stroke after stroke, she moved carefully, savoring the sensation. With each pass, her bald head became smoother, cleaner. So soft… so perfect. A strange excitement bubbled inside her. She never imagined she would love this feeling so much. Then, as she reached the middle of her head, a new thought struck her. Amma and Manasa did this to me. Her hand froze for a moment. They lied to me. Betrayed me. Forced me into this. Her grip on the razor tightened. A cold determination settled in her heart. Lavanya wiped away the last traces of foam and slowly lifted her gaze to the mirror. Her bald head gleamed under the light, smooth and flawless. She hesitated, then ran her fingers over her scalp. A soft shiver ran through her. So smooth… so perfect.
Tilting her head, she observed herself from different angles. Her eyes looked bigger, her features sharper. She had feared looking ugly, but instead, she saw something striking—something powerful.I don’t need my long hair to feel beautiful.And in that moment, she made a decision. They took my hair, thinking it was over. But soon, they would understand—it was just the beginning.
