the mush - Salvador Dali - கொடுவா மீசை அருவா பார்வை

Salvador Domingo Felipe Jacinto Dalí i Domènech, Marquess of Dalí of Púbol (1904 – 1989)  known as Salvador Dalí   was a Spanish surrealist artist renowned for his technical skill, precise draftsmanship, and the striking and bizarre images in his work.

 

In Tamil cinema, the easiest distinction between the dual roles  is the mush – one with moustache and another without !  - remember Rajnikant ‘Thillu mullu’ !!

கொடுவா மீசை அருவா பார்வை; ஆறுமுகந்தான் கைய வச்சா தூள்

கடவா பல்லு தங்கப்பல்லு; அடுத்த பல்லு சிங்கப்பல்லு தூள்  .. ..

 

மானுக்கு கொம்புடா யானைக்கு தந்தம்டா;  மக்களின் பெருமை அன்புடா தூள்

சிங்கம்னா சீறும்டா சிறுத்தைன்னா பாயும்டா; 

என்னோட பலமெல்லாம் வீரம்டா தூள்

 

In Tamil folklore and tinseldom, that hair above lips portrays valour ! ~  murukku meesai (twirled moustache) is seen as symbol of virility !!  ~  mankind has sported for centuries – a derived trait that is not aped by any other living being ! – not by apes, monkeys, gorillas .. .. whereas beard is sported by many animals, especially lions. Though North Indian film stars do not sport it much, erstwhile heroes like Rajni and Kamal had big facial hair. 

It is stated that keeping thick moustache  caused some problem during British Raj in 19th Century and, as a result, Indian moustache had a profound effect on British facial hair. The British Army, who were clean shaven until that time, had difficulty maintaining authority among the Indian soldiers, who saw their officers' lack of a moustache, beard and sideburns as a lack of manliness. Eventually British officers began to cultivate moustache and other facial hair to gain the respect of their troops. The trend of sporting a moustache spread quickly through the army and then back home amongst the general British civilian population. 

 

Salvador Dali was a Spanish surrealist artist who was known for his eccentric personality and his bizarre art. His moustache was one of his most famous features, and it became a symbol of his unique vision.

 

Dali began growing his moustache in the early 1940s, and he quickly became known for it. He often used his moustache as a prop in his performances and in his art. For example, he once appeared in a public lecture with his moustache on fire. He also used his moustache as a way to express his artistic ideas. Dali's moustache was insured for $1 million !, and he was very protective of it. He once said that he would never shave it off, even if he was offered a million dollars.   

Dali's moustache was more than just a fashion statement, it was a symbol of his unique vision and his artistic genius. The two upward-curling points of his moustache were said to represent the horns of a rhinoceros, which is a symbol of the subconscious. Dali believed that the subconscious was a powerful source of creativity, and he often used his art to explore the hidden depths of the human mind. 

Interesting ! (but my parents scold me whenever I twirl my mush upwards!)
 
With regards – S Sampathkumar
27.7.2024