Baba Sen was a pioneer figure in the world of ASMR. His cosmic head massage found a vast following in the early 2000, and triggered ASMR related content over the internet.
World’s Insomniacs Find Cure in Indian Barber Massage Videos
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A series of illustrations done for FactorDaily's story on rising viewership of Indian barber massage videos as ASMR content.
Given how generally is the nature of news these days, the overall tonality can be a little dark and grim, but this particular article was much lighter and free from such heavy baggage, allowing the overall visuals to be vibrant, a mix of digital medium with glitches of hand-drawn techniques.
Using the 'ikkat' print as a blanket morphing from an audio map suggests how ASMR content becomes a soothing balm for people struggling to sleep.
“After a long day at work or classes, some people don’t want to watch Netflix or read books. That’s the space for ASMR content. It is essentially an audiovisual experience that helps people relax. You don’t need to use your mind. It’s like an adult watching a cartoon video. It relaxes you,” says Ojha, who along with Tarentelli, now his business partner, has invested around Rs. 16 lakh in setting up a studio in Nagpur to record ASMR videos.
In most of the ASMR videos and behind-the-scenes productions, the importance is more on creating content for consumption, so the need to amplify every sonic detail is of utmost significance.
A backdrop illustration that helps visualise how the neurons get illuminated when triggered with right ASMR content.
ASMR has found its way into the advertising industry heavily in the last few years. Whether it’s the extra fizz of Coke, crunchiness of KFC, wrapper noises of chocolates, or the close shaving sound of a razor.
Are you aware that barbers in ancient India were traditionally used as messengers, mediators and even confidants?
The disparity of pay a YouTuber makes versus the actual barbers who are giving the massage has continued to be a point of conflict.
