Lungi Breaking Off Chains

I wore this lungi to TEDxChennai where the crowd hooted & cheered when I commenced the talk with a vanakkam. I've always pondered over how fashion fades but some styles survive for centuries. The lungi, also known as longi, loyngi, mundu, saaram, izaar, fūṭah, ṣārūn, sarong and several other names depending on geography, is a popular leisurewear choice in hot-and-humid Africa and Asia. The lungi survived for centuries because it makes absolute sense in these climatic conditions. However, from Dhaka or Dubai to Chennai and Mumbai, elitist social attitudes have unfortunately chained the lungi in prejudice of stigma. Today, mostly the middle-aged and the elderly prefer lungis. Caught in chains of stereotypes and class-constructs, the lungi hasn't evolved functionally. In the 21st century, lungi is fighting the clutches of growing disconnect with millennial market. However the chains that bind the lungi aren't any stronger than its weakest link. Photographer A Kumar lenses the lungi breaking free from the mediocre chains of social prejudice. After all, freedom is about choosing our own chains.