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Chic hairstyles date back to Mauryan period
Straight mane, curly locks and spruced look are the in-thing at the moment. But don't be surprised to know that such hairstyles existed even during the Mauryan period.
Straight mane, curly locks and spruced look are the in-thing at the moment. But don't be surprised to know that such hairstyles existed even during the Mauryan period.
And perhaps the extensive experiments done during those times were adopted through generations after generations.
Allahabad Museum has a display of numerous such terracotta figurines portraying the chic hairstyles. The female figurines belonging to pre-Mauryan period
(during first century AD) showcased the loosely tied hair with little emphasis on detailed styling.
It is only during the Mauryan period that people started flaunting variable styles. "Womenfolk loved tying the 'gajra' made of flowers. In fact, more popular hairstyle during those times was covering the entire mane with numerous 'gajras' and allowing a bunch to rest on both the shoulders," said Dr Prabhakar Pandey, keeper Education in Allahabad Museum.
Interestingly, the most common existing style of tying braid was much popular during the Mauryan period. The use of crowns was also a rage during this period as several figurines have been found displaying ornamental crowns.
Those belonging to Kushan period were more conscious about their sense of hair dressing. If females preferred big knots then males showed more interest in curling their hair. Ornamentation with precious stones and gems had caught up by that time along with carefully coiffured hair.
"Remember the hairstyles flaunted by the heroines of black and white Hindi movies? Similarly, bulky knots were a trend during Kushan period. However, the popular style was centrally parted long hair with one half combed back tightly while the other half styled into thick curls. Both men and women were very particular about adopting new styles.
Turban with a trinket was also popular among men. A male head figure in terracotta found in Faridpur (Bareilly) shows him wearing turban which is shaped like a cap. Sometimes females figures too have been found donning coif," said Dr Pandey.
Wigs had become popular during Gupta period. In fact, these wigs are similar to those worn by the judges earlier. Again, coif and knots were the style statement. However, much emphasis was laid on central parting and thick curls among women.
