How Does Kaiser Haq Present the Lungi in His Poem “Ode on the Lungi”?

“Ode on the Lungi” is a wonderful poem by Kaiser Haq, a living Bangladeshi poet. The poem is about a dress which is rooted deep in the traditional culture of the subcontinent. The poet describes the lungi and talks about its various uses. It has been presented as a symbol of equality, democratic spirit and impartial attitude. It is a dress which stands for the “global left-outs”, the subalterns — the socially, economically and politically marginalized people.

Glorification of the Lungi

The main theme of the poem is the glorification of the lungi. By using various references from diverse fields, the poet presents the lungi as a “complete wardrobe”. But before giving a detailed description of the lungi, the poet gives an impassionate account of the position of the lungi in global society.

Lungi as a dress is very popular throughout the world and is worn by millions of people. This traditional attire is so popular that at any time there are more people in lungis “than the population / of Europe and the USA.”

Different Names of the Lungi

The poet recalls many different names of the lungi used in different parts of the world. It is known as sarong, munda, htamain, saaram, pinon, ma’awaiis, kitenge, kanga, kaiki or dhoti.

Even though lungi is worn by millions of people, it is often looked down upon as a dress for the poor — “the global left-outs” or the “ridiculous ethnic attire”. Despite this fact, in Sri Lanka and Myanmar lungi is used as a party dress. However, the pervasive attitude to lungi is that of contempt and disapproval.

Because of neo-imperialism and sartorial hegemony, the neatly dressed sahibs often look down upon people wearing lungis. The attitude of the posh world towards the lungi stands for the attitude of the rich towards the poor.

Scientific Description of the Lungi

In the second part of the poem, the poet speaks in scientific terms and calls it “a rectangular cloth”. Lungi is of various colours and designs — “white, coloured, check or plaid”. It is a tube-like dress which is fastened in a slipknot around the waist by its user.However, lungi is a unique cloth because “One size fits all!” Hence, the most remarkable advantage of a lungi is that it can be used by anyone — whether small or tall, fat or slim. Another great advantage of this dress is that it can be worn inside out if the situation requires.

The poet calls it “a complete wardrobe” because with only two pieces of lungi one can lead a decent life:

“Most of the year, when barebodied is cool, you can lead a decent life with only a couple of lungis.”

Flexibility and Multiple Uses of the Lungi

Lungi is a flexible dress which can take various shapes in different situations. On hot summer days it can be used as a headgear or a turban to protect oneself from the scorching heat of the sun. In wintry conditions, the lungi can act as “an improvised poncho”.

It is also a complete sportswear. It serves as a dress in games like wrestling, kabaddi, football or cricket. It can even be used as a swimming costume. While swimming or playing kabaddi or wrestling, the lungi may be worn as a G-string. In football or cricket fields it is folded vertically and kilted at the knee.

A lungi can also serve as a sleeping bag for a couple. Even during natural calamities, particularly floods, lungi can be very useful. During monsoon floods, a ballooned-up lungi becomes a “humble ark” for its possessor. All these examples show the immense flexibility of the lungi as a dress.

Biblical Images in the Poem

The poet also uses Biblical images to introduce the lungi to the world community. He describes it as “an elaborate fig-leaf”, suggesting that it is good enough to cover the private parts of the body.

He also refers to the image of an ark. Just as Noah’s Ark saved lives during the great flood, the lungi can also save its user during natural floods.

Lungi as a Symbol of Equality

For the poet, the lungi is not just a dress. It is a powerful symbol representing those who are economically disadvantaged, socially marginalized and politically neglected.To the poet, it is a true symbol of equality:

“an emblem of egalitarianism, symbol of global left-outs.

Raised and flapped amidst laughter it’s the subaltern speaking.”

Conclusion

In “Ode on the Lungi”, Kaiser Haq presents the lungi not merely as a traditional dress but as a powerful symbol of equality and dignity. The poem is an impassioned reaction to the posh world’s contemptuous attitude toward the lungi.

Through humour, references, and vivid descriptions, the poet glorifies the lungi as a “complete wardrobe” and presents it as a spokesman for the global left-outs.