13, 14, or 15? When did I start the pretense? Some family member had to point out to me that a few wisps of hair and something remotely resembling a beard had manifested itself under my speaker, i.e., mouth, in the delicate area of the chin.

Somewhere along in the following days, I must have been taught how to shave. I started this laborious, boring, mundane, dangerous process called shaving. Initially, though, shaving was fun. With the kind of money we had, perhaps I got Bharat blades. Remember that name? I think it was an experiment in producing cheaper blades. 2 paise? It did remove the hair. The 7 O’ Clocks and Gillette were faraway dreams. Maybe Panama. Other brand names don’t come to mind readily.

Safety razor blades they were called. But over a period of time, I have nicked various parts of my face—lips, nose, chin, cheeks, and even ears. Safety deserted me.

But still, I can’t remember when I first got my chin and upper lip clean and smooth after they were destroyed by unwanted growth of ugly hairs.

Nothing wrong. You can forget these things. Even your own birthday. Any other personal details. Beware, though, to have the wedding dates and wife’s birthdate tattooed on the most visible and prominent part of your forearm. At some point, hope it will at last register permanently in your head, and even in old age, you will not forget.

Do you remember the safety razors of those days? Simple. Lower portion with a base and removable upper portion. Put the blade in the lower portion. Place the upper portion and with the handle tighten till almost the blade breaks. Then shave with the front for some days, then with the rear side for some days, then put the blade upside down and do the same. Oh! It seemed to last forever. A small, cute rectangular packet with three or five blades—I can’t exactly recall. But it would last till your next birthday.

No wash basins. Wash basins were for the hotels and the elites. Can’t wash under the tap in the bathroom, for such small hairs cannot be allowed to float like free radicals on the floor. Strict taboo.

There would be a universal plastic cup. Even if you speak loudly, it may bend or break. So light. Put water in it. Some people will apply oil on their skin to prevent after-burns.

And the messy portion or part of this elaborate exercise?

Continued in 293. Designs Above and Below the Speaker - Part 2