NEW DELHI, Jan 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi donned a vibrant yellow and red striped “safa” for his Republic Day look on Sunday, completing the outfit with a brown bandhgala jacket and pocket square. For the 76th Republic Day celebrations, Modi paired his traditional white kurta-pyjama with a turban that featured a long veil.
Flamboyant and colorful turbans have been a hallmark of Modi’s Republic Day and Independence Day appearances over the years. In 2023, he wore a multi-colored Rajasthani turban, and last year, he chose a multi-colored *bandhani* print safa, a tie-dye textile popular in Gujarat and Rajasthan. This intricate design is created by plucking the fabric into tiny bindings to form figurative patterns.
Modi’s turban choices have varied across different celebrations. From the bright red Jodhpuri *bandhej* turban in 2014 to a vibrant saffron turban in 2018, his headgear consistently reflects the rich diversity of India’s cultural heritage. In 2022, he opted for a traditional cap from Uttarakhand, featuring a Brahma Kamal-inspired brooch, while in 2021, he wore a “Halari Pagdi,” a bright red *bandhej* turban with yellow dots, a gift from the royal family of Jamnagar, Gujarat.
These turbans, each representing a different region of India, have become an integral part of the Prime Minister’s national celebration looks, highlighting the cultural unity and diversity of the country.
