While it is a handy piece of headgear for shielding the wearer from the searing sun, it also reflects a man‘s standing in the community. A safa (turban) is usually about 10 metres long and one metre wide. Traditionally, it was considered an essential part of a man‘s clothing. The styles of the turbans change every 12 miles in Rajasthan.

The predominant colours are as hot as Rajasthan‘s searing sun-bright red, dazzling orange and vivid yellow. Some turbans had a definite frontal twist while the fabric of others swept in bulky twists to one side or some like the bulbous round knob of a pot lid.

In the historical city of Jaipur, about 200 kilometres from India‘s capital Delhi, is the Surabhi Turban Museum which claims to have one of the largest collections of turbans in the world.

Glass cases here contain dozens of turbans-belonging to farm labourers, merchants and warriors and musicians. There were also fine silk turbans festooned with jewels fit for only an Indian Maharaja.

Turban tying competitions are held at the museum. In fact, turban tying is considered a fine art in Rajasthan and men who master the art are very proud of themselves.

The trend in some parts of Rajasthan is to wear cooler colours in the dry hot season and warmer colours during the monsoon.

Red and white are favoured during spring, while dotted patterns and bright colours usually signify the birth or marriage of a wearer‘s child. Dark dull colours like dark blue or maroon signify a death in the man‘s family.

Multi-coloured turbans are sometimes used for weddings and festivals and are an absolute must for the respected older members of the family. When a man ties his turban, he twists the fabric across the front of the head to one side as he simultaneously turns the turban around and around his head to achieve a balanced shape as he continues to add more fabric.

It looks a lot easier than it is, bearing in mind the wearer has to “feel” his way without the luxury of a mirror in many cases. The turban may be slipped on and off like a hat for a couple of days until it is soiled and needs to be unwound and washed.

Wearing the wrong type of turban on the wrong occasion could result in ridicule for the wearer. Wearing the turban of another caste is unacceptable. Social pressure and contempt towards the man and his family would soon put him in his place.