Governor Devanand Konwar sports a combat-print earmuff. Telegraph picture

Patna, Jan. 16: Nature is the greatest leveller. It gives everyone level playing ground. Form the governor to boy next door, this winter has made almost everyone sport earmuffs, the latest addition to winter fashion.

For those who have to venture out in the chill and brave the cold winds, the earmuffs, which look somewhat like retro headphones, are lifesavers.

Students, professionals, rickshawpullers — everyone has them on to shield their ears from cold. Even Governor Devanand Konwar has been spotted wearing a snug, combat-printed one.

“My ears are particularly sensitive to the cold. Earmuffs are very comfortable for me,” said Pritam Singh, owner of a studio on Frazer Road.

Singh added that he had a number of earmuffs of different colours and he wore them to match with his jacket or sweater.

But few know that in China these are designed for dogs.

“I heard a hawker in Delhi say that the earmuffs were introduced in India for dogs, as they are in China. But it became popular among the people. It is an effective protection from the chill,” said Ajay Sharma, a trader in New Market.

Residents of the capital, however, feel that they are more appealing to the eye than monkey-caps or balaclavas. Though they do not protect the head from the chill, they do just enough.

“They are cheap and easy alternatives to caps. Monkey-caps make me feel uneasy as they cover my whole head. Earmuffs are perfect for me,” said Munna Pandey, a trader.

Hawkers in Patna have given the Chinese earmuffs a touch of their own. In street lingo, these are known as kanpatti.

Most commonly available are the combat-printed ones. Others are available in faux-leather and polka dots. Some even have a thin lining of synthetic fur inside.

Earmuffs can be found easily with the street vendors, who also sell gloves, scarves, socks and handkerchiefs. Starting at Rs 10, some of the fancy ones can even cost Rs 50 per pair.

Mohammed Nasir, who sells earmuffs a few steps away from Udyog Bhavan near Gandhi Maidan, said he demands Rs 25 for a simple earmuff. But his customers bargain and bring the price down to Rs 15. Though everyone seems to have one of these, the response to kanpattis this time has not been as good as last year, said Nasir.

“Last winter, we used to sell about 10 to 15 pairs a day. This year, we are selling about two to three,” he said.

Puran Gupta, a fellow trader, said: “Maybe people who bought them last year are still using the old ones. Affluent people may not want to wear them as even rickshawpullers are wearing earmuffs these days.”

The items are not as hot as they used to be at Lhasa market near Ashok Cinema either. “I sold about 5,000 pieces last year. The sale has been low this year,” said Ranjeet Kumar, a shopkeeper.

People maybe buying them less, but they surely are wearing the earmuffs. “I do not know if the sales have dipped but if you count the number of persons wearing earmuffs, they would beat the numbers wearing caps or scarves, hands down,” said Rajesh, a youth on Boring Road. Then, he bravely strode into the fog, sporting a grey earmuff.

Keep warm, block your ears to the elements.