Hairdressing (Keśamardana-kauśala)

The story of this art

Keshamardana kaushala is the classical art of hair grooming, massaging, cutting, and styling. Practised by both barbers and attendants, this craft involves cleansing the scalp, applying herbal preparations, and arranging hair into ceremonial or everyday styles. The art is documented in the classical lists of Indian traditions. A concrete detail of this craft is the preparation of warm oils infused with sesame, coconut, and herbs like bhringraj. The artisan applies these with specific pressure techniques on the scalp, followed by washing the hair with natural powders made from shikakai and soapnut. After drying the hair over gently scented incense smoke, it is combed and braided into intricate shapes. In Maharashtra and across India, this tradition remains vibrant. It lives on in the daily ritual of head oiling, the head massages offered in neighborhood barber shops, and the elaborate bridal braids decorated with fresh floral veni garlands during traditional ceremonies.