Volunteering in Gumba and seeing monks inspired Barsha to go bald. Besides that, she really wanted to donate her hair. Being a media person, going against the societal beauty standard of having long hair, she had to face the bittersweet response from soc

  1. Hair is believed to give definition to beauty and it must be the big step to just go and shave off the hair. What was the reason for you to go bald? 
  • In my case, a few years back, I had volunteered in the Gumba and was influenced by the monks there. I really wanted to feel how going bald would feel and wanted to donate my hair. So, it had already been 5-6 years, so I wanted to try it. Finally, just two days before the lockdown, I was shopping in Bhatbhateni and suddenly, it got caught in my mind and without a second thought, I bought a shaving machine, went home and shaved off my hair by myself. I had finally gathered up my courage and did it.
  1. Besides, you wanted to do it for the experience, were the health issues or hair fall problems influential?
  • I would say no. In fact, I am blessed with good hair, maybe it is genetics but being a media person, I would always get complimented on my hair especially in the YouTube comment section. And talking about health issues, most of the people think that depressed people are more likely to go bald which I am not sure about, but that was not the reason for me nor was the health issues. So, it was solely because I wanted to give it a try and experience it.
  1.  Given that you had beautiful hair, how did your family respond to it?
  • I still remember, just after I shaved off my hair, I called all my friends to tell them but I had no audacity to call my mom. I knew she would get mad at me. But, sooner or later she had to know. So, I called my mom only to get the phone hung up. She was alright until I said, “I cut my hair”, but then it got worse when she actually found me going bald and ended up not talking to me until the hair grew. Although she was not very happy with my decision, I thought it is the same as the nails that can grow within a few weeks and now, she also has gotten used to it.
  1. Being a media person, almost every single thing that you do is noticed and criticized. So, how was the public reaction to it?
  • To my surprise, so many people admired and appreciated my looks and I am grateful to those who showered me with all the love. But then, obviously there are people who always have to say something and pass the comments. They did not like me even when I had long beautiful hair. I am okay with that as well and I do not expect everyone to like me. I was mentally prepared, I only focused on the positive response, so the hatred did not really bother me.
  • Our society has set a beauty standard for every woman to have long hair, what do you think about it?
    ​I think beauty has a vibe.  The way you present yourselves, your confidence, your aura makes you beautiful. If only you can bring the positivity in the atmosphere that you are in, then you are beautiful. Accepting someone exactly the way they are regardless of their looks, is important. I believe that is how the beauty standard has to be set rather than calling someone beautiful just because of the physical appearance.  
  1. Our love for hair is beyond the clouds. Considering that going bald was your choice, did you still feel a little sad or did a few drops of tears roll down?
  • Honestly, it was such a relief to me. Not for a single second did I regret it or felt sad. I have become the better version of myself, the way I see myself is different now and I have learned to accept myself as a person that I am. I had heard that emotion is somehow connected with the hair which now in my experience is absolutely right. I feel so light, free and alive.
  1. Maybe not within a few years but sometime in future, if given a choice, would you go bald again? 
  • I have not really thought through it but I would definitely want to do it during my pregnancy.  During that time, I can’t be bothered to spend time and effort on my hair. That is just a plan for now, but let’s see about that because after marriage I will be connected with someone else and his family and the society that we live is conservative.
  1.   Based on your experience, was going bald beneficial? Did it make your life easier?
  • There are so many, especially when it comes to getting ready. My hair was long, so it would take a lot of time to fix it. Highlight, color, keratin, straightening is very expensive. And on top of that, I used to be very conscious about the way my hair looked. A ponytail was no for me as I felt insecure in photos. Since I went bald, I feel happy and confident on my own even in front of the camera.
  1. What would you suggest to people who are planning to go bald?
  • Self-preparation comes first. Rather than doing it because someone did it, you need to be mentally prepared so that you don’t regret it later. Personally, I never cried over it but there were times it made me uncomfortable especially during the wedding season. The traditional wear felt a little odd, but I dealt with it. All the young girls, who are planning to attempt it must give a deep thought to it and if regardless of all the emotions and conditions, going bald feels right, then just go for it. Hair will grow back if you don’t like it. At least someone else will get hair donated and that feeling is beautiful.