Close shave

No clean shaves for Sameer Mehta, who has a special hobby -- beard art

No clean shaves for Sameer Mehta, who has a special hobby -- beard art

As he strides along the street, 37 year-old Sameer Mehta, who is in the Limca Book of Records, India's version of the Guinness Book of Records, is regularly stopped by people asking for a photo.

The Gujarati businessman is inordinately proud of his long, dense and shapely beard, which he shaves into fantastical designs.

After racking up 57 different beard designs since starting his unusual hobby four years ago, the Mulund-based internet service provider has become something of a local celebrity.

Sameer says he changes his beard in order to convey things without actually having to say anything. After all, he comments, for him his face is the equivalent of a canvas; it's always on display and is the most direct way of communicating with a person.

Sameer visits barbers -- he frequents three-four different ones regularly -- every other day for around two hours at a time to perfect his intricate designs.

He uses his computer to carefully plot out each new look before taking print outs to the barber to carefully talk through his idea.

Costing around Rs 3,000 to 4,000 a shape, each complete beard design can take around 30 days
to complete.

Thankfully, Sameer's profitable business of over 33 internet service provider stores does not require his constant supervision, so he has time on his hands to tend to his hairy hobby.
u00a0
The idea for his fanciful beards first came to him four years ago when he was lying on a hospital bed after having his appendix removed.

Sameer calls himself the beard samrat and wants to complete 100 designs. PIC Anil Shinde/CHI-photo/Rex Features

The forced break gave him plenty of time to think and one of the topics he considered is the fact that, compared to women, men have very few fashion choices.

He decided to use his facial hair to make a statement and the very first design he sculpted was a 'six half-eggs beard,' which refers to the six curved lines that spread across the border of his chin.

Since then, Sameer has changed his beard design depending on his mood and current events.u00a0 For example, as an IPL tribute, he had his beard shaved into the shape of cricket bats and balls.

For the Indian Independence Day he sported a tricolour flag on his chin, while a heart took pride of place there for Valentine's Day.

During Diwali, his beard was shaped into the form of four candles, and election day saw a voting symbol adorn the area.

When Sameer sported his very first design, passers-by would snigger when they saw him and his own wife refused to be seen with him. Sameer's goal is to complete 100 different beards, but even after reaching this milestone, he admits, he will almost certainly continue.

Australia and America observe Movember or the No-Shave-Month in November. Beards are also referred to as Novembeard during this period