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In Pictures
Gallery
The journey of hair
A look at the cult of beauty in the era of globalisation.
Economic development has transformed the lives of some Indian women
Published On 1 Aug 2011
1 Aug 2011
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Beautiful hair is crucial for the upwardly mobile in Mumbai high society
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Hemlata from rural Bengal owns nothing of value apart from her hair
Her family sets out on a journey to repay an ancient debt by donating their hair
On her way, she sees cosmopolitan cities and patches of countryside that seem untouched by modernity
Meanwhile, Sangeeta is buying hair extensions to wear at a fashion show in Mumbai
Sangeeta, a magazine editor, is worried that unless she looks her best, her career will suffer
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Until recently, the donated hair was either burnt by the Brahmins or used to stuff mattresses
Nowadays, the hair is sold to companies that make hair extensions
One of these is Great Lengths, based in Italy. It is owned by the millionaire Thomas Gold
Gold has a clear conscience; his money is used for good works by the temple priests
The pilgrims are settling a debt incurred by the god Vishnu. The loan takes hundreds of generations to repay
The pilgrimage is a journey in time as well as space, and also an inner spiritual journey
The pilgrims have their heads shaved by skilful priest-barbers
As many as 40,000 donate their hair every day to Indian temples
Mayoor spends a lot of time at auctions held by temples in order to sell their "production" of hair
It is just the first stage for the hair, which travels to Bangalore, then Italy
At the Great Lengths factory outside Rome, the hair is first washed
Then it is sorted and tested for quality
Finally, it is repackaged and sent to hairdressers and beauticians all over the world
Sometimes, it even returns to India
