Monday, Feb 05, 2007
Bikaner Man Longs to Enter Record Books For Tying Headgears
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Since time immemorial, the turban or headgear has defined one’s dignity and profile in Indian society, especially, the ones living in rural parts. Usually, it takes much care and a lot of time to tie it on head. But Ganesh Vyas of Bikaner has made tying headgears an art.
Adept at tying turbans and headgears (Safas) on people’s heads in various styles depending upon the special occasion, Ganesh, 34, boasts of being able to tie at least six headgears within a minute.
Today, he is a famous person not just across Rajasthan but in other States too. People from all walks of life ranging from people at the neighbourhood to Royal families invite him to tie headgears or turbans on special occasions.
Generally worn as “Pagari” and “Safa”, the turbans and headgears vary according to its size and purpose of wearing.
Ganesh claims to have an ability to tie scores of headgears in as many as 20 styles that include the famous Jodhpuri, Bikaneri and Jaipuri Safas.
In Rajasthan, known for its traditional lifestyle, a person is considered incomplete unless he has wrapped his head with a turban or headgear, especially during any ceremony in the village.
By developing interest in turbans or headgears, which is barely liked these days by youngsters in cities, Ganesh is trying to promote the trend of wearing headgears, which was once used to be viewed integral to Rajasthani culture.
During wedding season Ganesh is in great demand. Every day there are a large number of bridegrooms-in-waiting for their turn to get a style turban tied around their head. Not to mention they come with their entourage of relatives who are also supposed to wear headgears but in different styles on the day of wedding. He charges Rupees 1,100 for a bridegroom and Rs.500 for his relatives.
Apart from wedding occasions, Ganesh has exhibited his amazing art on many other occasions like the Camel Fair and Pushkar Fair.
Ganesh took up the art of tying Safas at a very tender age.
"I started doing this at very early age with my elder brother. Today my I have involved my other brothers and their children. We have special Safas for bridegrooms and different types of Safas for every occasion and people," said Ganesh.
Moreover, Ganesh has also worked for a number of Theatres shows, television serials and movies.
Not just that, he has been a fascination among people in Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi. Today, he is famous and is helped in work by his three brothers and their children.
Ganesh’s cherished desire is have his name and feats listed in Limca Book of Records and also finding an entry in Guinness Book of World Records.
"Our tradition of tying this turban is dying and these readymade turbans that are worn these days are short than actual size. I wish to be enlisted in the Limca Book of Records and Guinness Book of World Records and popularise this art," says Ganesh.
A “Safa” is much more than just an item of headgear to protect the wearer from the sun's heat.
By its shape, colour and size one can tell a great deal about the man, such as where he comes from , what he does for his living, and his position in the society.
A “Safa” is about 30-foot long and about four-foot wide.
It was traditionally considered an essential part of a man's clothing, and to appear in public without one was a sign of grossly bad behaviour.
The colour, pattern, and style of tying a turban vary according to community, region and even district. Thus it is said that the dialect of men's turbans changes every 12 miles in Rajasthan. (ANI)
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