Amolak

Outer characterization

Amolak is one of the most important characters in Sarfraz Manzoor’s autobiography Greetings from Bury Park. He meets Sarfraz in 1987, during sixth-form college, and they become best friends. Amolak’s nickname is Roops (Blood Brothers, 3%), but Sarfraz always calls him by his name. 

Amolak is a Sikh and his appearance reflects his religion that demands men to wear turbans and not shave their facial hair. Consequently, Sarfraz describes Amolak as “Chewbacca in jeans” (Blood Brothers, 3%). Because of his passion for Bruce Springsteen’s music, Amolak tries to emulate the singer’s look: “Amolak, as well as the waistcoat and belt, had cultivated long sideburns, and wore a variety of chains and a silver dog tag engraved with ‘Born to Run’ and a pair of black cowboy boots” (Blood Brothers, 34%).

Encouraged by Springsteen’s music, Amolak decides to get rid of his turban and facial hair: 

It was only when he referred to his appearance that Amolak’s supernatural confidence disappeared; the turban, beard and moustache were a constant reminder of the chasm between how...