In this installment of AMA-UTA CreateCollab, senior Ayesha Hana Shaji explores the concept of head coverings and identity in her original photo essay, Men in Turban.
Scroll to read more about our partnership with The University of Texas at Arlington.
MEN IN TURBAN
ABOUT MY ONE MINUTE DOCUMENTARY
by Ayesha Hana Shaji
From religious reasons to fashion statements, women in head coverings are not an unusual sighting in today’s society. But men wearing one is still foreign grounds. This wasn’t always the case though. In the Renaissance era, men wore hats and helmets as a sign of class and rank.
Similarly, in olden-day India, only aristocrats and royal entourage wore turbans. However, 550 years ago, Guru Nanak gave birth to a monotheistic faith, Sikhism, with a proposition that everyone is equal.
Harbhajan Singh is a volunteer and manager at Gurdwara Nishkam Seva in Irving, a Sikh place of worship. Singh has been wearing the turban since he was a little boy. In the short time I spent with him for the interview, he communicated the importance of the head covering to me.
The turban is one of the five articles of the faith that a Sikh is required to keep. They’re called the five Ks:
- Kesh: uncut hair and the turban
- Kangha: a comb for the kesh
- Kada: an iron bracelet
- Kachera: undergarment
- Kirpan: a small sword
Singh talks about how the religion enabled commoners to feel equal to everyone else.
Like how knights are given the honorary title by the head of state; by wearing the turban, a spiritual crown, God has given them the title of sovereign and royal, making everyone equal.
“Men in Turban” not only portrays the importance of a turban from a religious perspective but also on a more personal and individual level.
Meet Ayesha Hana Shaji
Hi! I’m Ayesha Hana Shaji, an international student double majoring in psychology and journalism at the University of Texas at Arlington. I’m originally from Kerala, India but lived in different parts of the Middle East for over 18 years before moving to Texas for university. I love to travel and have been to 20 countries!
About AMA-UTA CreateCollab
Throughout the Fall 2022 semester, the Arlington Museum of Art is partnering with The University of Texas at Arlington and a senior-level digital storytelling class to explore a wide variety of contemporary themes inspired by “A Knight’s Tale.”
Class projects include photo essays, one-minute documentaries, and one-minute podcasts about themes as broad as sword fighting with light sabers, fulfilling family legacies, every day heroes, and modern metalsmithing.
Associate Professor of Communication Erika Pribanic-Smith, who teaches the class, values opportunities to bring real-world experiences to her students.
“My goal is to give my students real-world experience in all of my classes, creating real stories using real sources,” said Dr. Pribanic-Smith. “Creating stories that will be published for the public to see, not just submitted for a grade, gives students extra incentive to put forth their best effort. Furthermore, working with professionals gives the students another layer of feedback to re-enforce what they’re learning in the classroom. I prefer to work with organizations like the Arlington Museum of Art who will benefit in some way from the students’ content so that we are providing a service to the community.”
