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| Sunday, 22 January 2006 |
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Guyed up in long hair by Ranga Chandrarathne Young men of today mimic the hairstyles of social icons like pop-musicians and film stars. This phenomenon was observed by social scientists when youth in the 70's around the globe, began to imitate the lifestyle and hairstyles of the "Beatles" and even that of Elvis Presley, having their hair turned up into a huge wave sitting at the top of the head.
Though it is difficult to find out who started these different hairstyles, now these hairstyles have become part and parcel of life. What is more is that there are different hairstyles adapted to suit different age groups, ranging from well-trimmed short haircuts to mongoose type shoulder length hair that often ends in a knob, just above the nape of the neck. A cross section of people who have short or long hair were willing to share their views with us on the different hairstyles in vogue especially among men and why they have chosen to either wear their hair short or long. Rohan Dassanayaka is in his teens. We met him at Barefoot Gallery. He was admiring some paintings. He wore his hair long. It hung down below even his shoulders. It was indeed difficult for us to make out if Rohan belonged to the fairer sex. It was difficult to distinguish him from a girl who was standing nearby. "I do not think that my hairstyle and long hair is a problem to others. Naturally, it is my choice but my dad and mum don't like it at all. That is their choice, but having long hair is mine. After all, I think that long hair suits me as I am not a tall guy. I have friends at tuition class and even in school who have grown their hair long and this is quite natural. It seems unnatural only to cultural puritans who believe that youngsters should do what the older folk did in their youth. Though my hair is long, it is not dirty and I keep it clean by shampooing it regularly. Having long hair should not be misconstrued as a sign of weakness. I have no objections from my girlfriend and she quite likes my hair. Only my parents grumble about it. My classmates identify me with my long hair and call me" long haired one", said Rohan Dassanayaka. Eranga Wijesuriya is another guy who has long hair and we met him at College House near Colombo University. He was waiting for a friend. "Excepting to me, my long hair is a problem to everybody else. This was common when I was at the University where my colleagues called me "Kondaya" Even when I started my career at an advertising firm and an NGO, there too my colleagues called me "Kondaya". I was working with my professor who is a father-figure to his students did not see anything wrong in guys having long hair. "I love having long hair. I feel that long hair is the most suited hairstyle for me. I have stuck to long hair from my school-going days. I do not for a moment think that one's culture deteriorates or gets corrupted by adopting these hairstyles. Hair after all does not represent one's culture. It is only hard-line dominant pundits who try to protect this so- called culture, blindly practising age-old customs and traditions. They cannot change or influence my lifestyle. My parents do not like my long hair because they think that my hairstyle does not fit the village lifestyle from which I come. I would not cut my hair for anything in the world and I will not change it merely to please the people who live in my village," said Eranga Wijesuriya. Chatura Wijeratne is a youngster sporting a trim hairstyle and he thinks that short hair suits him fine. I met him in the lobby of a hotel "My hair is short and trouble free. Unlike my friends, I quit enjoy having my hair short and it is quite easy to maintain. And I also shampoo it. Short hair is good for my appearance and is also quite attractive. My girl friend likes it very much and tells me "you have nice straight hair like that of a hedgehog". I spend very little time even to comb my hair, because it is so short that it hardly needs any combing. I also do not use any hair cream or gel because my hair is quite straight. But the only trouble is that I have to get a regular haircut. I like this hairstyle but I for one do not think that short hair for a man is a good thing and that long hair is not ideal for a man as in the case of my elders who are vehemently opposed to a man wearing his hair long," said Chatura. Suresh Nagendran is a Banker who sports a short hair cut. We met him at a leading commercial bank in Colombo. In spite of his busy schedule, Suresh agreed to share his views on this issue. "Yes, I really like having my hair short, because we have very little time for ourselves and absolutely no time for my hair. I do not have to use any hair cream or gel because it is cut short. However, I use a shampoo for my hair and do not apply any soap on my head. Most people think that I get a short hair cut because I want to save money. I wear my hair short merely because it is nice to have short hair and I
appreciate simplicity in life. A short haircut is the most appropriate
hairstyle for me, besides it matches well with the kind of clothes I wear.
As a busy bank executive, I must look pretty professional. A short hair
cut gives me an added feather in my cap and is a part of the discipline
and professionalism which I like to adopt," said Suresh. |
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