Canadian tribute to the art of the perfect turban

Some 75 competitors were taking part in the eighth annual turban competition,the largest in North America.

The colours were bright,loud and the designs intricate as the competitors,all Sikhs,either from or descended from India’s northern Punjab state,whipped up a variety of turban styles.

Sharma,a 35-year-old welder,says he can tie about six turban styles,including those for Sikhs in the military and another for performers.

“The cloth measures about five to six meters and it should never hit the ground (out of respect for what it represents). The judges are looking at speed,neatness of the turban and if the hair is covered. It takes me about six or seven minutes.”

Sharma was competing in the 31-45 years category. Despite hoping to improve on his bronze medal last year,he again finished third this year,behind winner Gurpreet Singh Tung,a 32-year-old truck driver originally from the Punjab village of Tugal near Ludhiana,and runner-up Omandeep Singh.