Is beard also a real identity?

The beard has become a true revolution in the world of fashion. The beard says much of a person’s style, it is more than a trend, and it is almost a sign of identity. There are different types of beard and they act as a good fashion complement, each style of beard is associated with a profile of man, an image, a lifestyle.

We celebrate the ultimate symbol of ruggedness on World Beard Day on the first Saturday in September. Times are changing, but the beard has been more than just a fashion statement — it has been considered a sign of manliness since prehistoric times. The beard represents virtues such as strength, wisdom, and even social status in some cultures. There is something about a beard that demands admiration and respect thus, deserves a day of celebration.

Keeping a beard on your face has a history too. If someone keeps a skull cap on their head with a beard, you can be termed as a Muslim.  Not only this, if you have the name of your kids resembling Muslims, they are definitely at some stage asked a question – Are you from a Muslim family?

Anyhow, a beard has different meanings at different levels like social, political and family.

A controversial writer Salman Rushdie’s beard is a classic; not some COVID-19 craze. He

had his trim little goatee for decades—it is a part of his identity as much as Mark Twain’s moustache. Rushdie is a rebel—no doubt about that. His books are controversial; his writing is full of hidden meanings. But his beard is no longer as rebellious. Still, it’s a trademark and as trademarks go, it’s a good one.

I also read somewhere on social media that “No, a beard does not make you a man. What makes you a man is your character, not your beard.

I don’t recollect when I started keeping the beard but it kept pimples on my face causing trouble in shaving and how it became my identity has different stories.  Even when someone doesn’t recognize me, I have to say that I am the same person, with a white beard.  With my narration, it takes a fraction of a second to recognize my identity.

FRANKLY SPEAKING 

Frankly speaking, even once I got the comment of looking like PM Modi on keeping the beard of his style and not he (PM) of my style, as he (PM) is a great personality nowadays.

One thing I have noticed in the pandemic is the return of the beard in most of the cases.  The other day, I called a gas repair shop, in an emergency to come to my house, he did not recognize me but when I disclosed to him my identity of having a white beard, he instantly recognized me and visited without any loss of time.  But don’t forget that it can detain you at the immigration office at the Airport; you look different in the photograph than on the Passport.