Don't throwaway that fallen hair

Hyderabad: After the tonsured hair women achieved success not only at national but international markets, the door-to-door hair collectors are expanding their prospects in different parts of the city by exchanging hair with household utensils ('Baalon ke bartan').

A group of women disburse in different localities carrying steel and aluminum utensils calling out housewives to exchange their cut hair with utensils. Women, who are in know of the barter trade, save and collect fallen hair and hair stuck in combs in a polythene. These collected hairs are exchanged against the utensils. According to a resident, once in a week these women traders come in localities by shouting 'Baalon ke bartan' and they exchange utensils based on quantity of hair.

A hair collector informed that she takes the cut hair and sells them at Begum Bazar market and to a hair dealer in LB Nagar at a price ranging from Rs 1,500 to Rs 3000 per kg, depending on the quality of hairs. With the money they receive they purchase steel and aluminum utensils for continuing their business by visiting residential areas.

Sorting out the hair

She said that the group sits at a place and divide the hairs according to colour, length and create a bundle and sell it in a market to dealers. "Since nowadays hair fall is common, women collect it and exchange them with utensils and some of us also prepare a braid by fallen hairs. Some women also collect hair from garbage and clean it create a bundle of hairs and sell in a market," she explained. "Instead of throwing fallen hair, I collect and exchange it with utensil like a small bowl, pans, tea bowl etc., said Savita, a resident of Saidabad.

Wholesalers make a killing

According to bulk hair procurers in Begum Bazar market, they purchase hair for Rs 1,000 to 1,500 per kg and for full tresses the wholesaler pays better price at Rs 2,500 to 4,000 per kg. "These are purchased according to the quality of hairs", said Sai Charan, hair purchaser in Begum Bazar Market.

After purchasing, these hairs are sold to main dealer in LB Nagar at an amount of Rs 4,000 to 5,000 per kg. "These prices vary day-to-day depending on demand and other factors. From there, hairs are processed and wigs would be manufactured and exported in international markets", he added.

Wig manufacturers thrive

Speaking about the wigs, a manufacturer based in Abids said that he is manufacturing wigs for the last 15 years and raw material is supplied from Tirupati, salons etc. These wigs are not only sold in local markets, but also exported to other countries. "The wigs are of two types synthetic and natural hair wig and the price varies depending on the size and quality", said M A Khader, AF wigs manufacturer and dealer.

The synthetic wig for men ranges from Rs 1,000 to 5,000 while the natural hair wig starts from Rs 5,000 to 10,000. Whereas for women the synthetic wig ranges from Rs 500 to 5,000, while natural hair wig from Rs 10,000 to 80,000. These wigs are usually used by the transgenders, junior artists and bald people and also the women offering to the deity will be using these wigs till their hair grow.

Explaining about the wigs, he said that wigs are generally attached to head by using clips and tapes temporarily. But new form of wigs called 'hair patch' has also come in market, which sticks to head by an adhesive and should be checked once in a month. This hair wig ranges from Rs 5,000 to Rs 1 lakh.