Oct 5, 2014 - JALANDHAR: Once an integral part of the attire of men pan India, turbans are staging a comeback, especially in Punjab. There is a turban trend at the international level too. The distinctive Sikh look has been the focus of many international brands, be it the GAP ad featuring Sikh actor and jewellery designer Waris Ahluwalia or the Samsung's new smartphone campaign with fashion blogger Pardeep Singh Bahra.
It is not just Sikhs who are taken up with the turban. Anil Kumar, 19, a student of BA first year at Guru Nanak College in Phagwara has begun tying a turban since a week. A non-Sikh, he has decided to go in for unshorn hair and wear a turban from now on. "I had several Sikh friends and always felt that the 'royal' headgear makes a person look smarter. When I got a Patialashahi turban tied for the first time last week, I received many compliments and felt more confident. I have started learning how to tie one," said Anil.
Turbans are the latest style statement among Sikh youths in Punjab, with Patialashahi style topping the preference list.
"Most students in our college prefer a Patialashahi turban as it stands out," says Probdeep Singh of Lyallpur Khalsa College Jalandhar. The style cuts across college and university campuses in the state.
Gurpinder Singh, a resident of Todarour village in Hoshiarpur district, who was clean shaven till four months back, never goes out without wearing a Patialashahi turban now. His friend Gurdeep Singh,18, a student of plus two, too has metamorphosized into a stylish Sardar.
Turban contests and pageants have drawn the attention of the Sikh youths' back to the turban.
"I was a cut-surd, but around three years back I decided to go for a topknot and sport a turbaned look. One year back, I learnt the art of tying a Patialashahi turban," says Jastinder Singh, a Jalandhar resident, who feels that a turban makes the wearer look impressive.
Parminder Singh who runs The Turban Studio in Phagwara and teaches youngsters the intracicies of turban-tying vouches for this trend. Passionate about turbans, he holds special camps on turban-tying. "I teach them the style they like. The Patialashahi and Dumala are the most popular." Parminder, 22, clean shaven during his school days, loves to sport the Dumala turban.
Kulwant Singh Richy of Moga has even started a FB page "Aah Chak Patialvi" to promotes turbans in general and Patialashahi style in particular. "It is an old style that was only seen among middle-aged or elderly persons till three years back, but has witnessed a major revival in the last couple of years. Several youths have taken to it. Wearing one brings an element of responsibility and steers them towards religion," he adds.
The trend is heartening for those worried about youth giving up turbans.
"There was concern about increasing apostasy, with even sons of SGPC members turning apostates. Sikh religious leaders failed in stemming the trend, but now turbans are becoming a style statement, " says Sukhdev Singh, secretary of Akal Students Federation which has been working in Sikh youth.
How it became a fad
Shows like Mr Singh International in the last one decade started bringing out the glamour quotient in the Sikh look and made a statement that there could be Sikh models also. In 2012 edition of Mr Singh International several Sikh youths from Punjabi University Patiala, and Punjab University, Chandigarh, participated with Patialshahi turbans. Soon' the photos started getting 'liked' on social media it became a fad among youth," says Sukhdev Singh, a finalist of 2009 edition of Mr. Singh International. "Capturing this craze, Punjabi singers Ammy Virk, Ranjit Bawa and Kulbir Jhinjer came out with songs on Patialshahi turban, highlighting its glamour and spurring its popularity," adds Sukhdev, who is also secretary of Akal Students Federation which has been organizing shows on Sikh Modeling and Tradition.
Dumala wows youths
Along with Patialashahi style, Dumala (right) - a four centuries old traditional style of tying a round turban started by the sixth Sikh master Guru Hargobind - is witnessing a revival in a major way and getting popular among youths.
24-year-old Gurpreet Singh of Phagwara was clean shaven till 10 months back. When he approached The Turban Studio to tie a pagri for his sister's marriage, the latter refused, saying that only men with unshorn hair and untrimmed beard could tie one. "I felt very bad though I attended the marriage with in a Patialashahi turban. I decided to grow my hair and tie a Dumala," he says. Today he is a baptized Sikh.
Another youth Gurpreet Singh shared how wearing a Dumala turban helped him appreciate the great value system associated with it. "Earlier only Nihangs or students of Sikh seminaries would tie a Dumala, but its popularity is rising. The youths who choose it, remain conscious about the Sikh value system and several students are favouring it," says Tejinder Singh, who has been flaunting one for the last eight years.
Patialshahi replaces Morni
Till two years back Morni style (image on right) turban was popular among youth. "Though it looks beautiful, it takes much longer to tie. The Patialshahi looks beautiful, is easy and very comfortable," say Sukhdev Singh and Parminder Singh.