‘BEARD’ AND THE SYMBOLIC APPEARANCE
Beard is a symbol of wisdom, renunciation ,carelessness ,austerity ,mourning ,authority and probably much more. In the recent times it has however gained significance in view of the prevailing terrorism and unfortunate identification of it with religious groups. Since my childhood I have held sporting of ‘Beard’ in high esteem as the photo-image of our Indian ‘Rishis’ ( sages) is deeply embedded – Valmiki, Vashist, Vishvamitra, Bharadvaj all had flowing Beard, this image was further strenthened during the dominant period of ‘Mahabharat’ and ‘Ramayan’ on TV. But, the image of all sages is with ‘Beard’ across the party! Line- Guru Nanak, Guru Govind, Moses,Christ, Ahura Mazda ( Parsi God ),. In the recent times barring the Pope most of the religious heads have beard including that of jews. I often wonder as to why, Buddha and Mahavir are shown clean shaven, Christ is shown with long hair and slight Beard. Realism dictates that during their time having long hair and Beard was rather compulsion than desire, but faith creates strange images and we the followers want our venerated leaders in a certain image and so they exist to satisfy our image of them. During our time in college when leftist leanings were wide spread many kept beard under the influence of Marx, Fidel Castro and Che Guevera, I think colleges are still enamoured by the revolutionary ideas though not action. In India I find the state of Kerala fancying the beard most and under Karl Marx complex !! French Beard is popular among urban elite. Though it looks good on a fair and slim face many sport it nevertheless. Our dear Bachhan is believed to be most attached to his beard that he refuses to cut it even for meaty roles. I think a beard is also grown to improve looks more particular by those having a weak chin as it makes the face a little more square, Naseeruddin Shah the famous cinema- theatre personality does hide his chin with his beard.
Beard is historically related to seafarers , our sailors are permitted to grow beard as part of Naval tradition. This privilege is for only Naval personnel and not extended to Army and Airforce. In fact originally one could grow beard but not moustache, later the rule was amended.
Certain professions are associated with sporting beard and among them it is accepted as normal to have beard -- Art film makers, poets, painters, professors, Ayurvedic Doctors ( Baba Ramdev ). The manner in which the beard is kept also conveys the ideology of a person. Some Sikhs keep full flowing beard whereas some merely maintain symbolically,it was interesting to see the full flowing beard of cricketers Amla ( South Africa ) and Mohamad Yusuf / Saeed Anwar ( Pakistan) it did convey their commitment to their religion and cricket?
Therefore it can be said that Beard is associated with ‘Mankind’ since ages , in some cases the meaning remains unchanged in some it is to convey definite ideology/association though silent and symbolic the meaning should not go unnoticed and therefore the reaction of our society changes .
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