Turbans

One of the most memorable experiences I

have had was one about ten years ago in

New Delhi.

I was staying in a small horrid backpacker

hotel in the old city.

I heard the sound of a procession coming

into the small narrow street at dusk.

Poking my head out of the small

non-air conditioned room into the muggy,

Indian night air, I saw a sea of multi-

coloured turbans. A Sikh festive occasion

had brought all of it's devotees out in all

their celebratory glory.

Hot pinks, deep vermilion, canary yellow,

lime, and vivid indigo all vying for

head space as they celebrated with

exuberance.

Street offerings

I love the way in so many Asian countries

small offerings are put out in doorways,

shop entrances and especially outside

temples, churches or spiritual centres.

They are constant reminders of how

important spirituality is in our urban

villages.

I also love the way spiritual robes

somehow look so prefect within our cities .

Timeless and minimal, they are more

modern than any other form of dress.

In the west we have appropriated religious

imagery, often loving the drama or symbolic

to drive home a point or make an ironic

gesture. Although tongue in cheek,

they are still evidence of how powerful this

imagery is.