Prior to the describing the ‘walking stick’ in context to any country, it’s needed to say something about the ‘ invention of the walking stick.’ How, when and why it got invented ? Though, no any concrete information is available, about this invention. This seems to come into existence, based upon the maxim, “necessity is the mother of the invention.” Without any contention it seems, passing through the stages of human body evolution, during the biological evolutionary process; when man had begun to learn to walk on his both legs. He would have understood the importance of walking stick.
Stick as a need
At that prehistoric, primal period of time it was natural, all paths had to be wild, tiresome, arduous and in most probabilities on uneven ground. So, when walking through such rough roads (if you give it name of road, ) man certainly would have needed something to support himself to make a balance. This need would have guided or directed him, to find a support to move on these arduous paths.
In another situation, on his becoming older and weaker or suffering from some leg or spinal injuries. He might have needed some support to walk. At the initial stage, certainly he would have walked with the support of his family member or friend. But, later on the concept of taking support of some kind, in shape of the stick, be generated into his mind in shape of an invention.
Often no relics in excavation
It is the conceptualization of origin of walking stick. This, may along with give rise to a query, “why the presence of walking stick, as relics not found in the geological excavation as such?” It simply may be defined, during this process of evolution of mankind, the relics of a “wooden” substance like stick, are not supposed to exist. The reason is, it’s easily decomposed material. For that, we can count upon other prehistoric “cave paintings” to find its existence. There we find man painted as,walking with the support of some crooked shape stick.
During the prehistoric cum stone cum metallic age, when man supposed to learn to manufacture the metallic utensils and weapons. The relics of them are excavated properly. But, the walking stick we don’t find during excavation relics. For, the permanent and easily available option of wood were always and everywhere, in abundance as well. Beside, when something is available at hand, it comes in the category of “use and throw.” So, in such circumstances, primal man didn’t need to try for any other option, as the material stuff for the stick as such.
Necessity
The need of walking stick but natural were certainly needed in every stage of civilization. And, easy availability of that in shape of wood was already there. In due course of time, the same stick in shape of ‘pole’ or ‘staff’ began to be used in defending oneself from assault of wild animals or other hostile tribes. Still at present in India, the application of this pole is in practice in rural area . Not a long period of time elapsed, when in Un-urbanized social system, feudal lords and “man of substance” were found in common, strolling under the shadow of these “muscles man.” Such muscles’ men ever remained harnessed with staff. The strength and use of these men, is widely acknowledged in Indian social system, as “muscles power.”
Use of stick/pole in Indian politics – The presence and practice of this “muscles power,” in post Independent era, in general election has widely been in practice. Specifically, to win the democratically arranged election in “booth capturing.” This practice of use of muscle men as such unlawfully, successfully worked for a long period of time. This “muscles power” gang harnessed with staff, were in fashion up to the year of 1980, that later on got replaced by “gun culture.”
Although, this kind of description of stick is counted in ‘negative aspect.’ In fact, it is also the another side of the coin, which can not be or should not be ignored. Although, in “positive aspect,” pole or staff too played a significant role in Indian context. As ‘royal staff,’ we find its presence from time immemorial, in chronicles and mythological descriptions. In Hindu religious context, we still notice its episcopal significance. When we witness the highest religious teacher (Shankaracharya,) harnessed with a crooked staff of wood of certain specific tree. Besides, often saints and seers are supposed to carry a stick.
Iconic portrait with pole
Politically, we Indian can’t ignore the picture of our “Father of Nation” Mahatma Gandhi, walking scarcely clad with a long ‘pole’ in hand. The same pole had been in vogue in Indian rural scenario, from time immemorial. The same pole, still we witness in common use, at some places in remote villages. It is subject of vital discussion, how the iconic walking/balancing staff of Mahatma gandhi (who by himself has been World wide recognized icon of Non Violence), turned up into the main weapon of capturing the election booths violently, in general election in post Independent era.
As a ward robe item
In indubitably, this practice of booth capturing, was used by all political parties without any discrimination. The stick was also part of wardrobe of some prominent political leaders in India. One of them was lokmanya Tilak. Not only this, during that period of time, “walking stick,” as part of personality features was in vogue. And remained as such for coming decades. A saying was prevalent in common parlance, at that time. ” A man’s personality is not complete, without handkerchief, small watch and walking stick.” No doubt, that was the period when “walking stick” was main feature of fashion.
It prevailed, in various shapes and types, and once too was an inseparable part of the personality of people, in Western World as well. There, men and women both adopted the fashion of walking stick. Perhaps, in all probabilities the same fashion got introduced in Britishers rulers. Such British rulers, Being treated and followed as icon, were supposed to be duly imitated by Indians. At the same time, the use of walking stick by Charlie Chaplain in the Movies of Western World is worth mentioning. Without his mention, the story can not be completed.
As for as in the Indian context – As an influencer, the presence of pole or staff, we find in the hand of Mahatma Gandhi. Though the presence of pole, had been in existence in Indian culture from the time immemorial. But, no any such noticeable description of use of pole, we find with reference to Indian common folk, in English or other foreign writings. The walking stick in the form of short stick, as ‘Baton’ still is in fashion in Indian army. No doubt this tradition is being conveyed from the time of parental British army.
As on today, walking stick is out of use as such, from both Urban and Rural arena. The reason is, for last three centuries, it had been in fashion in this or that way. It’s a fact, every kind of fashion has got a “prescribed age” of survival. After that it subsides into ‘dark age’ for some years, and later on again resumes itself. The same phenomenon occurs with every type of fashion. The “walking stick” would certainly regain its lost majesty in coming future, I wish so. But it won’t be out of the life of mankind altogether. Since, people are always supposed to get injured and grow older, and remain to sustain upon the walking stick. Penned by –Vinay Pharasi…..
