Having a full-bodied moustache has long been a symbol of masculinity for Indian men. It was also once an indicator of caste status. Untouchables, were not allowed to have a moustache at all, while other lower castes had to grow theirs with the ends drooped down. And even now in modern India each year there are competitions to find out who has the best Moustache.
For the last hour, 61 year old Ram Singh Chauhan has been massaging his Moustache. This is how he spends at least two hours a day.
“I use mustard oil, coconut oil, native butter, almond oil to massage it. Often I use olive oil too. The secret of such a long moustache is that I have never used soap to wash it instead I use mud.”
His mustache is his prized possession.
"I started growing my moustache when I was at school. I have never trimmed it.”
And in 2010 he was award a Guinness World record for having the world’s longest moustache.
“At that time my Moustache was 14 feet or 4.29 meters long. Today it’s even longer it’s over 18 feet long.”
That’s 5 and a half meters long.
Ram's wife Asha Chauhan wanted him to cut it in their early years of marriage.
But now she shares his pride.
“My husband’s moustache has made me and my family famous. My children and I help him to maintain his long moustache. I help him massage wash it once a week. It is too long so one of us has to hold them.”
Ram’s facial hair given him roles in Bollywood films and even Hollywood--- he was in the James Bond movie “Octopussy.”
Today the couple is going to support other mustache lovers at the local moustache competition. The event in the city of Kota is part of the Dussehra festival.
58 year old Prakash Ram has travelled over 100 miles to participate in the competition. He wants to show the judges the strength of his moustache.
“I want to show people the strength of the moustache. Today I will demonstrate it by lifting my 15 kilogram granddaughter with my moustache. I keep my moustache dry and don’t use any kind of oil.”
But today’s winner is 58 year old Dev Karan Gurjar. Judges said his moustache was the best because it is thick and dark.
The moustache has been on the decline in India, in recent years as women have begun to prefer their men with clean-shaven upper lips. Bollywood stars have sported stubble rather than handlebar moustaches.
Here all the contestants are all over 50.
Dev Karan hopes that the next generation is equally passionate about moustaches and believes they are a sign of well being.
“I always tell everyone to consult me for free to get the advice for good health.”
