the gamchha story

What if I told you that there is a product that works as a towel, a skirt, a bathing suit, a serviette, a scarf, a shawl, a baby carrier, a baby dress, a shopping bag, a sheet, a cover all , a head cover, a sun protector, a wipe, and a prayer towel , you wouldn’t believe it , would you ? Ever heard of the word gamchha ? There you are! that’s exactly what this. A thin cotton fabric strategically sized at 26" by 75" [approximately] , used by the common Indian man with which he does all of the above , and more.
I was travelling the other day and noticed this well-washed, soft, thin cotton towel being carried by all the labourers. It hung around the neck and shoulders in a comfortable sort of way. Brightly coloured, checkered, striped or plain, they created an aura of distinction for the group. I kept my eyes on the gamchha right through the trip and was surprised to see how popular and versatile this garment was and how indispensable for the man on the street. It also struck me how simple it made life! One light all-weather object, strung around your neck solving numerous problems whilst also acting as a comforter.
Through this experience I am struck by a realisation. I feel the gamchha is symbolic- symbolic of an uncluttered his life. The frugality, simplicity and zen-like spirit of a gamchha makes a loud statement.
Are we hearing it?
Today most of us have a different product for each of the uses of the gamchha. We are crowded with things. In the name of cleanliness, hygiene, fashion, style, we just buy and buy…
We can go into a great debate about hygiene and appropriateness of things. I think the paranoia of cleanliness is directly proportional to the amount of spare, worthless money we have. I do not condone cleanliness, but do we question our definitions and compulsions? I sometimes wonder how clean a mobile phone is?? We carry it all the time. It is never washed. We mostly breathe into it and never question it being a home for a million germs. The gamchha on the other hand, is probably the most frequently washed garment, and its an instant dry.
I am also realising that possessing a lot has become the sign of a person’s value worth. Self worth is inconsequential. Ownership equates to happiness. The mantra is ‘ buy the most expensive’ and let the ‘have-nots’ see it, and feel the pressure of dissatisfaction. Being exclusive is the ‘in’ thing.. being inclusive is lame.
Ever since I have had this gamchha experience I feel sort of enlightened. I am realising the futility of owning a lot. I have been going through my possessions. It seems I am dragging a load. The stacking, tabulating, managing of all these ‘ so called valuable possessions’ to my daily work is suddenly seeming pointless. I have long suffered the anxiety of losing the lot. I have also felt the pangs of insecurity of being alienated, so I have been lustfully acquiring more to feel I ‘belong’. All these emotions have drained me out. They have consumed my good energies.
This is complete ludicrous foolishness! I have realised that having a dozen things does not enrich my life in any way. In fact it tires me. I look around me and see this sea of belongings. It may have empowered me at some point. Today I feel miserable. I register the want, the craving, the envy in the eyes of others. It distances me from them. I feel excluded. What then is the value of such ownership?
And then I see the gamchha- liberated, simple, fearless, . Something that has crossed all tiers and types because it is an object of self worth — respected for its intrinsic purpose. It has become for me an icon- a show stopper. I say to myself-
What a neutraliser!
What an equilizer!
What a teacher!