NEW DELHI, Aug 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi brought a traditional touch to the 80th Independence Day celebrations on Friday, appearing in a striking red tie and dye turban as he delivered his 13th consecutive Independence Day address from the historic Red Fort.
Modi paired the colourful headgear with a white kurta and chocolate brown vest. He completed the look with three pocket squares in saffron, white and green, adding a subtle national-colour theme to his attire.
The prime minister’s choice of traditional headgear has become a distinctive feature of his Independence Day appearances over the years. His turbans have frequently reflected the diverse textile traditions and vibrant colours associated with different parts of India.
At last year’s celebrations, Modi wore a colourful Rajasthani leheriya turban featuring shades of orange, yellow and green. The flowing design highlighted the country’s rich heritage and regional craftsmanship.
In 2023, he chose a bandhani style turban in yellow, green and red, which he paired with a black V-neck jacket. A saffron turban featuring red motifs and a flowing tail was his choice in 2022, complemented by a blue jacket and stole.
The 2021 celebrations saw Modi in a cream-and-saffron turban with a half-sleeved kurta. In 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he wore a white scarf with a saffron border that also served as a protective face covering.
Modi’s tradition of distinctive Independence Day attire dates back to his first address as prime minister in 2014. He appeared that year in a fiery red Jodhpuri bandhej turban.
His subsequent choices showcased a wide range of colours and regional styles. In 2015, he wore a yellow and multicoloured crisscross-patterned turban, followed by a pink and yellow tie and dye design in 2016 and a bold red-and-yellow turban in 2017.
In 2018, saffron dominated his Independence Day headgear, continuing his practice of using traditional attire to add a distinct visual identity to the annual national celebration.
Over the years, Modi’s Independence Day turbans have thus emerged as more than a fashion statement, reflecting India’s varied textile traditions, regional craftsmanship and cultural diversity.
