A Dastaar, Turban, Pagg (Punjabi: ਪੱਗ) Poem by Randhir kaur

Why do Western Sikh women wear turbans, when most Indian women do not? Most Indian women do not wear turbans due to a longstanding cultural habit, which began by identifying Sikhi with male warriors and turbans with battle helmets. Though many Sikh women fought for survival of the faith, the habit of wearing turbans did not take root until the 1970s, when Siri Singh Sahib Yogi Bhajan encouraged (Western) female Khalsa to wear turbans. Very slowly, the habit of wearing turbans is taking root among Sikh women of Asian ancestry in the West and in India. Some Indian women wear their hair coiled on their heads and covered with a patka and chuni, but they are a minority. Most Indian women are unaware of the technology of wearing the hair coiled on the head, and of wrapping a turban, so this is another reason why they don’t wear turbans. You will find, however, that devoted Sikh women of Indian ancestry often have their heads covered anyway, but not with a turban. Sometimes it’s just a scarf, more often it’s a chuni. Yes, Jasbir Mam you are right that the pure Punjaban's are in the influence of this modern world after all the lifestyle is not like before. There are different categories(classes) in Sikhism like Assamese, Bengali do have. They are like Mouna Punjabi's(they do not wear turbans, shingles their hairs, speaks in Hindi, no 5 necessary things needed to maintain; kesh, kara, kaccha, kirpan, kanga) Ramgharia(believes in God not in rings or stars, keeps their hairs uncut, wears turbans(male only) , Jatt(the very first category, wear turbans both men and women(Most in Western areas) alike..etc.. I am Ramgharia, I do not wear turban but my hairs are long to my knees, no other believes, I do not even throw my hairs in dustbin but I keep, collect and drown it in the river. When I keep my step in society people look at me and say 'There goes a Punjabi girl, KAUR'. They do not call me by my name, they call me Sardarni ji. My head is held high with pride, not wearing turban does not mean that you will not be called a Sikh or Punjaban, but maintaining yourself with the 5 necessary things and your identity that of a Punjabi makes one enough to make them a PUNJABI. And you cannot ignore the fact that a man/women who wear turban can be recognized from even the deadliest crowd.. This a modern and people tend to be different and make themselves look cool. Well.. I do not want to argue but I just wanted to spread the importance of a Turban, Dastaar and tell people that Turban is not a piece of cloth, they should maintain it as our Guru's submitted us in anticipation to run the Khalsa panth. I am so glad that you know so much about Sikhism and took an effort to argue with this fact. Thank you.

Thank you so much dear Sir for your words and feedback.

Nice write up. We, kashmiri pandits, also call our headgear (Pagdi) as Saafa or Dastaar. It is symbol of honour and respect. Thanks.

Through this wonderful write-up or the prose poem, you have tried to enlighten the reader about the essential elements of Sikh history and Sikh traditions. apparently, this has generated a lot of interest and awareness. Thanks for sharing the same, Rndhir ji.

A great subject and great poem. I have read some of your poems and I found a scholarly bent in your writings. This poem reminds me Dr. Satinder Sartaaj's SARDAR G(ਸਰਦਾਰ ਜੀ) song. God bless you! Keep up the good work. I would be blessed to get the vary scholarly review about my poems. Please read The Wind an extreme instance. Thank you.

Wow...thanks sardar ji... its really soo nice nd such a good msg for us

A Nice piece of pride! ! Love it much. thank you poet.! !

Thank you Sardar Ramandeep Singh ji...: -)

fabulous work... RESPECT!