"Story behind the cover"
Ever since Dr. Murugasundaram a k a murugu asked me to contribute some material to the souvenir of his prestigious conference www.hairindia2010.com,
I was on the on the lookout for something different that could speak in terms of hair.It was mere coincidence that during my visit to Mysore last month (August 2010) for a conference when I shot this photograph from a distance as these gentlemen was posing as their colleague took their picture. It is interesting to note that there are 4 types of hair patterns in this group (The tall foreigner with a Rastafarian hair do, a young man with a tonsured head, an elderly man with a gray hair and the remaining people with normal looking hair)
Hair has no geographical boundaries. The foreigner with a peculiar ropy hair has preferred the “Rastafarian hair style”. Rastafarianism is a “way of Life” originated as a religious movement in Jamaica in 1930s by the worshippers of Haile Selassie 1, the emperor of Ethiopia who consider him as the second incarnation of God. Its main themes are spiritual use of cannabis, rejection of western society and proclamation of Africa (Zion) as the original birthplace of mankind. Rasta’s culture is unique. The wearing of dreadlocks or matted hair as Samson’s seven locks is very closely associated with the movement, though not universal among, or exclusive to, its adherents. Rastas do not comb or cut the hair because they believe that locks are supported by God and cutting or hurting them will separate them from him. The length of a Rasta's locks is a measure of wisdom, maturity, and knowledge in that it can indicate not only the Rasta's age, but also his/her time as a Rasta. This is similar to the belief of Sikhs, Sadhus and Sufi Muslims who hail hair in high esteem. This is also called bird’s nest hair
In the Hindu tradition tonsuring of hair during infancy is considered as a cleaning ritual of the past evil spirits and the bad elements of previous births. Some religious sects among the Hindus leave behind a tuft of hair as memory of their forefathers. Offering of hair to God is considered by Indians irrespective of religion, caste or creed as a real sacrifice of beauty and even women do this.
This fabulous photo has all of these representatives of hair culture which has crashed all barriers. Another interesting feature is that there is a click within this click by a hairy lad clicking the group with his mobile.
I feel it’s an apt self explanatory photo indeed for the cover to cover the real aim of starting this magazine.
Happy reading and Have a nice day
Dr. ASHIQUE. K. T. Consultant dermatologist,Al Shifa Hospital.
Perinthalmanna, Kerala, India.
Text courtesy: Dr. Murugusundaram, Wikipedia
Technical details : Camera: Canon EOS 350 D, Lens: Canon lens 75 -300 MM. Shot at 100MM, Shutter speed: 1/ 320 Sec, Aperture: F8, ISO: 200, Flash: Not fired
