THRISSUR: It is a fact that wearing protective headgear for two-wheeler riders significantly reduces the fatality rate in road accidents. But it seems the decision to implement Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act, which makes the wearing of protective headgear compulsory for two-wheeler riders, is taking a toll on the decade-old traditional hairstyles of the state.
The compulsory enforcement of wearing helmet by the Motor Vehicle Department for bike riders is now not only ruining the favourite iconic ‘disco hairdos’ of youth, but also a tradition rooted in the 70s, the decade which is best known for letting loose the disco era upon the psyche of the nation.
The Disco hairdo of the 70s, which has a major influence on today’s trendy hairstyles, is now giving way to other popular styles like ponytail, shaggy crop and so forth, as youth find it difficult to manage the old hairstyles with the enforcement of the new rule.
Vinukumar S S, hairstylist, who runs salons at Le Meridien, The Renaissance and My Kingdom which have set a new trend, says it is very difficult for the youth to maintain the modern version of styles based on old disco styles as wearing helmet plays spoilsport on the hair. Besides, sweat and oil collect under the helmet leading to hair loss, which in fact now is forcing the youth to embrace other hairstyles based on short, extra short and medium hair, he said.
The traditional, medium and long cuts, with buzzed sides and gently spiked tops has now given way to dishevelled rolled-out-of-bed look, shaggy crop, ponytail styles which defies all rules of conformity, breaking the mould of meticulously combed hair as it is very easy to manage hair after every journey, says Mukesh Mukund, hairstylist and cluster manager of Green Trends, Unisex Hair and Style Salon. Now, a majority of youth emulate the stylish cuts of Indian Cricket, Virat Kohli and actor Dulquer Salmaan, which needs less effort and can be styled easily without the help of styling products, he said.