Hi Christine, He's got a handful of matted beards, you get to attach them to your face by means of a wire. Quite a transformation. We still have no idea what they are for ... have even come across some that were dyed green!
my old landlady, Aunty Gupta, said they were "for theater"
i've also been offered them at traffic lights, amidst newspapers and other trinkets. when questioned as to why, the beard seller said "for your children". having pointed out i had none, he grabbed a child beard seller and said "buy beard, take this child..." he was joking, i hasten to add.
Buy beard, get child free? Sounds typically Delhi to almost have the ring of truth about it! Of course it'd be too obvious to assume that there's a loyal Monty Python fan club using Red Fort for their weekly meetings at which re-enactments of the stoning scene in "Life of Brian" take place?
Facial foliage (as you so aptly put it... love the word play LoL) is a very important thing for most male Indians. It is something to be very proud of. In some places, the person with the most outrageous moustache is considered the most manly of men. Facial foliage is also associated with ones strength... hence you see that most Indian warriors in paintings and such being depicted with fantastic moustaches.
As for the fake beard, maybe it started out as a way to help you not be ashamed, as those without beards are seen to be weak or not manly enough... ;-)
Excellent points, Baron, definately a case of the Moustache makes the Man! You don't mention if you yourself sport facial hair ... ? And thanks for adding further fuel to the speculatory Fake Beard fire ... !
Hair India - A guide to the bizarre beards and magnificent moustaches of Hindustan
In all good bookshops from 23rd May 2008
QUOTABLES
"Kissing a man with a beard is a lot like going to a picnic. You don't mind going through a little bush
to get there."
- Minnie Pearl
Hair India testimonials (from people completely unrelated to the authors)
Says K. Morley of the UK: "THIS BEARD BOOK LOOKS LIKE THE GREATEST WORK TO BE PUBLISHED IN ANY MEDIUM EVER IN THE HISTORY OF MAN. I THINK MY BRAIN HAS JUST EXPLODED."
Our mission, since the Autumn of 2006, has been to seek out the most bizarre and magnificent examples of facial foliage across India. The results are to be published in May 2008 in the 140-pg, full-colour coffeetable book "Hair India".
McCallum and Stowers first met in Delhi in the Spring of 2006; McCallum, a long term resident of the Indian capital, had held for ages a desire to make a book about beards. Stowers, based in Taipei, was at a loose end and instantly saw the projects' potential. Both were clean-shaven at the time ...
Ever noticed those guys hawking false beards at the entrance to Old Delhi's Red Fort (Lal Qila)? What are the beards for, and why here in particular?? The Hair India Team have asked all their many moustachioed contacts but, so far, no valid explanation has been forthcoming. Now is the chance to add your voice to the Great Debate! If you think you can solve the Lal Qila False Beard Mystery, or even just have some clues, then send in your comments now. First prize? A false beard, of course!
8 comments:
What's he holding? a platted beard or moustaches?
Very intriguing!
A world apart from the West!
Christine
Hi Christine,
He's got a handful of matted beards, you get to attach them to your face by means of a wire. Quite a transformation. We still have no idea what they are for ... have even come across some that were dyed green!
Chris
This is marvellous stuff!
What people do to adorn themselves!!!
All the best to you,
Christine
my old landlady, Aunty Gupta, said they were "for theater"
i've also been offered them at traffic lights, amidst newspapers and other trinkets. when questioned as to why, the beard seller said "for your children". having pointed out i had none, he grabbed a child beard seller and said "buy beard, take this child..." he was joking, i hasten to add.
Buy beard, get child free? Sounds typically Delhi to almost have the ring of truth about it!
Of course it'd be too obvious to assume that there's a loyal Monty Python fan club using Red Fort for their weekly meetings at which re-enactments of the stoning scene in "Life of Brian" take place?
HAIR INDIA TEAM
Yes ... I remember that Monty Python scene:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=3n3LL338aGA
:-}
Facial foliage (as you so aptly put it... love the word play LoL) is a very important thing for most male Indians. It is something to be very proud of. In some places, the person with the most outrageous moustache is considered the most manly of men. Facial foliage is also associated with ones strength... hence you see that most Indian warriors in paintings and such being depicted with fantastic moustaches.
As for the fake beard, maybe it started out as a way to help you not be ashamed, as those without beards are seen to be weak or not manly enough... ;-)
Source: Well, I AM Indian...
Excellent points, Baron, definately a case of the Moustache makes the Man!
You don't mention if you yourself sport facial hair ... ?
And thanks for adding further fuel to the speculatory Fake Beard fire ... !
HAIR INDIA TEAM
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