music, art & dance

 art

Punjab is the 15th largest state in India. Many races of people and religions made up the cultural heritage of the Punjab. The genius of Punjabis finds expression in love stories, lusty dancing, and humour. Punjab is very rich in terms of dance. Most popular Punjabi dances are:

Bhangra, Giddha, Jhumar, Luddi, Dankara Julli, Sammi, Dhamal, Jaago, Kikli and Gatka. These days, many non-Punjabis are also getting into Punjab's folk dances, as you occasionally see a European or Chinese in various Bhangra competitions. These non-Punjabis have simply made Punjabi dance a part of their own culture as well.

People of Punjab entertain themselves in a variety of ways. The mirasis (professional wits), naqalias (mummers), and domanis (female singer-actresses) are professional performers belonging to the lower classes. They exploit all the tricks of exaggeration, absurdity, malapropism, comic gags, and lewd references. One of the popular organized forms of work and entertainment for young girls is Tirinjen - where the girls spin and sing. Tirinjen is a kind of social club, which can be organized in any home, where place for spinning wheels and the girls is available for a day/night. The girls would sing and dance, would express their sorrow and happiness, pangs of separation and joy of meeting.

The spinning wheel plays a significant role in the life of the women, as a companion, counselor in distress, friend and guide. The games in Punjab are suitable for children, youth, adult and old people alike. Many of these games have been lost in the evolution of history, and the ones that remain are losing for perhaps these are not in fashion except a few which still survive. These include dangals (wrestling bouts), folk songs and dances, kite flying, cock fights, etc. Kites, a favourite pastime of the Punjabis, is known by its various names - Guddi, Gudda, Mashli, koop, patang. Various festivals such as Basant Panchami (spring festival) provided special occasions for flying kites. Artistically designed kites, likes of which in my opinion are not made anywhere else in India, are available in many sizes.

In some Pahari miniatures, one can get a glimpse of typically Punjabi kites. Art is described as a creation or expression of something beautiful especially in a visual form and Arts and Crafts as a phrase means decorative designs and handicrafts. Punjab is famous for its Crafts work. The onslaught of high technology is putting a premium on the arts and crafts in the modern era.Various crafts famous in Punjab are:

Needle work :-

Needle work of Punjab is unique, it has beautiful names because of its associations with beautiful aspects of life and the beautiful designs which the dextrous fingers of Punjab's proverbially beautiful women create have such a wealth of forms and motifs that they defy enumeration. Phulkari meaning Flower work, is a spectacular style of embroidery peculiar to punjab and an essential part of everyday life. Almost every ceremony in which women participate is given a touch of additional colour and richness by the use of Phulkari on account of its being considered auspicious and a sign of 'Suhag'. Some of these are called Baghs, literally a garden, Phulkaris, literally flower work, rummals, scarfs. The patterns of needle work done on the bed spreads, chunnis, dupattas (these are head covers) and shirts and Salvars, are still different.

Needle work on phulkaris is done on a deep coloured cotton cloth with striking silk threads. The threads is pierced upwards from underneath the cloth into free-hand motifs, while in the Baghs and Rummals such cloth is worked on the top side only. This type of embroidery is so excellently done that it is hard to distinguish between the left and right or upward and downward side. It has the look of a carpet. The patterns are not restricted or controlled, but bold, free and highly imaginative. The designs and motifs are an expression of the embroiderer's thought and aspirations. These women can stitch a railway train, motorcar, lorry or even a rath (chariot) out of sheer curiosity. Birds, domestic and wild animals in different sizes and from different angels are common. In the whole composition, one often comes across several ornaments such as hansali, tika, karda, ponchi, singhar-patti and guluband. Another peculiarity of this embroidery is that no two Phulkaris are alike. These were traditionally used for wear but now are exported as wall hangings and sewn as jackets etc.

Punjabi Juttis :-

The shoes made in different parts of Punjab out of self lured leather have different traditions. Light shoes were considered the best and to explain this aspect the cobblers used to say that even the sparrows can fly with them. Earlier shoes which have come to be known as Punjabi Juttis throughout the world were embroidered with gold and silver wires all over in different patterns covering every parts of the pair so that it looked as if it was made of solid gold and silver. Now even when golden and silver threads are used to embroider these shoes, the quality of these world famous shoes is still maintained.

Basketery :-

The craft of basketry is widely practised all over Punjab. After shaving, thin straws of this grass, are woven into beautiful carpets, curtains etc. Among these products the hand fan is very popular and fascinating on account of its curled shape. These fans are popularly known as Peshawari Pakkhe. The ones smaller in size are very fine and delicate. These are called Kundaldar Pakkhi on account of their curled ends. Another useful household contrivance called Chhaj in Punjabi was manufactured out of sarcanda which is used for separating edible stuff from .the grain. The basketware was intended to fulfil only the daily needs of the people. In most cases, no effort was made to give them a decorative or artistic touch.

Wood Work :-

The woodwork of Punjab has been traditionally famous. Artistic beds with comfortable, skillfully made back rests fitted with mirrors, low seats called Peeras, Peerian were made by carpenters in almost every village. Furniture designed in Punjab and boxes, toys and decorative pieces made out of lacquer finish to wood crafts, in adorning it with engraving wood, inlaying ivory (now white plastic only) the workmen of Punjab have been renowned. Woodcarving in Punjab is practised in Batala, Amritsar and Hoshiarpur.

Clay Toys and Pottery :-

The indigenous traditional clay toys had a decisive psychological effect upon children. They also reflect their sensibilities. The inherent sensibility in the young mind could be properly poked, guided and fostered from early childhood through the judicious choice of playthings of taste and beauty. Toys are made of wood, clay, paper and cloth. Deeva or Clay lamps are made expressly on the occasion of Diwali.

In the villages, the potter obtains his raw material, i.e. clay, free of cost from a nearby pond (Chhappar). In addition to the toys he makes clay pottery, Surahi and Ghara (vessels for storing water), dishes, jars, etc., which he sells at very little profit. The traditional forms have good proportions that only objects whose shapes are dictated exclusively by function. Constant repetition with slight variations often brings refinements of proportion to a classic purity. Each shape fulfils its function admirably. The tall narrow-necked jar (Martaban) and similar specimens of pottery have disappeared from post-partition Punjab. Some specimens of clay pottery can still be seen on certain festivals. They are decorated with different colours, which reinforce and strengthen their form. In pre-partition Punjab, a light wooden toy called Reloo Pehalwan used to be made. It represented an acrobat balancing himself pre-cariously on a small stool. Slightly different from this was another toy also called Reloo; made of paper. It balances itself on a small lump of clay. This specimen of Reloo is the restless type and cannot stand still. It keeps moving from right to left and vice versa, much to the mirth and delight of small children.

The popularity of the clay toys is diminishing day by day but still there are to be seen sporadic instances of miniature dolls in clay, animals and kitchen utensils, roughly coloured with kharia mitti and decorated with motifs in bright colours. A wide variety of traditional wooden toys are still being produced in Hoshiarpur. They are lacquer painted in bright colour-yellow, red, green etc. These include dolls, household articles, train, wheel birds, baby walkers (gadda) etc. About 30 years ago, small girls used to love to possess these toys. Traditional toys generally serve a two-fold purpose. They can be used as playthings by the children and as decoration pieces by the adults. Toys of cloth stuffed with cotton are still made by the women in the villages. Wood and clay tops (lattoo) are still quite popular in some areas of Punjab such as Amritsar. Edible toys in sugar have a great variety of shapes. In village fairs one comes across toys with a scientific touch though naively native in character. Dolls, birds and animals are some of the common subjects. The world of these colourful and joyful toys has gradually receded into the background, yielding place to cheap plastic products flooding our markets. The folk objects made by professional potters or toy-makers have no market; so they have had to give up their occupation. The same is true of the artisan community who used to make toys of straw.

Mudwall Painting :-

The tradition of painting on the mudwalls dates back to very ancient times when the earliest man sought protection in the magical drawing which was thought to prevent the aura of evil spirits from coming into the house. Certain symbols were also used to express the wish of the creators for boons of plenty, progeny and well-being. The art of mudwall painting is known as Chowk-Poorana in the Punjab. It is necessary to make it clear that despite its name Chowk-Poorana, the Punjabi rustic women do not draw decorative designs at the threshold of their homes, but on the mud-walls. The mudwalls of rural houses in the Punjab are painted on festive occasions like the "Navaratra poorna" before and on Dussehra day, Karva-Chauth (the day on which fast is observed by Punjabi and U.P. women for the well-being of their husbands), Hoi or Ahoi, and Diwali. All these festivals are celebrated in September, October and November-the months known as the festive season. If one finds oneself in a Punjab village during this season, one is spell-bound by attractive and intricately composed patterns and designs painted on the mudwalls which are intended to invoke the blessings of and welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and plenty. These drawings and paintings are done by the peasant women. Some of these paintings deserve to rank among genuine creative art. The art of mudwall painting does not require special training. Young girls just pick it up from their mothers or elderly women. In fact, as a leisure hour occupation, it is essentially a rural and feminine art. This typical art depends entirely on individual capacity and skill. Painting the mudwalls was the only means for them to add colour and richness to their poor, humble and lowly surroundings. The formal simplicity and beauty of these patterns revealing the inherent sense of design on the part of these peasants would make any artist envious. The symbolic designs and motifs drawn on the mudwalls are born of unconscious and ancient knowledge, potent with power and energy, and used by the woman as an auspicious mark for worship, decoration, beautification and protection of hearth and home. They have also been making paper mache utensils for storing house hold necessities in colourful designs for a long time past, out of a paste made by mixing paper and various kinds of earth.

Metal Work :-

Metalwork is the most important of Punjab's arts and crafts. The common use of metal objects in daily life has necessitated the evolving of various products and techniques. The metal-workers of Amritsar are known for their skill in various forms of casting, soldering, methods of decoration such as repousse, pierced work, chasing, engraving, etc. Metal pots and other utensils are used by the housewife in her kitchen. Metal objects are necessary for religious rituals in the homes as well as in the temples. Among these objects are included temple lamps and trumpets (Narasinga). Decorative objects are for those who can afford them.

The most remarkable are engraved metal doors and the Kalashas of the temples, the Chhattra and the three-dimensional life-size metal sculptures of lion, Durga's charger, and Nandi, Shiva's mount outside their respective temples. In the 19th century, figurative panels engraved in low relief were very common in the Hindu temples and Sikh gurudwaras. Metal craftsmen engaged in repousse work were called Chitera in Amritsar. It may be noted here that the word 'Chitera' means a painter; the term is commonly used in this sense in the erstwhile Hill states of the Punjab Himalaya, now incorporated in Himachal Pradesh.

Hand printing :-

In Punjab, there was a particular community of textile workers called "Chhimba". They used to print khaddar cloth with hand blocks. In most cases, the white cloth was supplied by the customer. It was first dyed and then printed by the Chhimbas. The printed designs were mainly floral and geometrical; sometimes bird and animal motifs were also used.

The dyes were obtained from vegetables, plants and stones; -the colours were made fast by adding some chemicals and herbs and boiling for several hours. The method of obtaining colours for the dyes etc. was a jealously guarded secret of the Chhimba community and not let out easily.

It is still being done in some areas of Punjab but traditional designs are no longer in vogue. The traditional dyes and colours have been relinquished in favour of aniline dyes which are cheaper and do not involve so much time and labour. The term palampore originally derived from Hindustani word "palang-posh" meaning bed cover is now generally applied indiscriminately to all varieties of Indian prints or hand printed cottons, including canopies over the images of Hindu gods, prayer cloths or mats, handkerchiefs and cloth for daily wear.-Indian cotton manufactures and printed cotton have been well known since time immemorial, though the original home of printing industry seems to have been Persia.

In Punjab, the colours used in this process are generally light or in pastel shades. Dark colours which are very common in Rajasthan are not used. Traditional patterns have undergone considerable change with the passage of time. This change is noticeable in rural areas also. The traditional motifs are not very similar to those of neighbouring provinces. Fortunately the lock motifs have an individuality of their own. Particularly, Mor (peacock) and Amb (mango) motifs have their own charm; the Jal (net or big bush) motif was very popular with the women from all communities. Rumal purposely made for the Sikhs was used for covering their holy book 'Granth-Sehib'. This was generally printed with hand blocks.

 dance

The exuberance and vitality of the people of Punjab are vigorously displayed in their folk dances. With the drum beat or to the tune of some other instrument of folk music, the energetic feet of the people of Punjab are spontaneously set in motion to deliver a folk dance - an expression of the soul performance, an outburst of true feelings. Punjab folk dances are replete with foreign influences. It is only in Punjab where there is no common dance for men and women. The folk dances of Punjab can be simply classified according to male or female folk dances, where the Bhangra, Jhummer, Luddi, Julli, Dankara and Dhumal are male folk dances while Sammi, Giddha, Jaago & Kikli are the female folk dances.

 

Bhangra Dance

Bhangra is one of most popular dances of India performed during Baisakhi only by the men in Punjab. Bhangra includes the drummer who usually stands in the center of the circle in an open space surrounded by dancers who even recite meaningless `bolis`, words such as hoay, hoay; or Balle, Balle, which not only inspire themselves but also others for the dance.

 

Jhummar Dance

The Jhummar dance is a dance of ecstasy and a living testimony of the happiness of men, so performed only by men. Jhummar is performed mostly during the melas, weddings and other major functions and celebrations.

 

Luddi Dance

This is also a male folk dance of Punjab and it is to celebrate a victory or success that is gained in any field. This dance is more popular across the Sutlej and in Pakistan it is almost as popular as the Bhangra. Here, the dancers wear only a loose shirt (kurta), a loincloth, some tie turban, or a scarf tied across the forehead, while others join in bareheaded. Here, the performers place one hand at the back and the other before the face acting as the movement of a snake`s head. This dance can also be done with the drummer standing at the center but sometimes the dancers dance before a throng of people by moving forward. This is basically the dance of slow movements and some even identify it by integrating with that of the Bhangra.

 

Dhumall Dance

This folk dance also has not been able to achieve the popularity of Bhangra. It is a male dance and, likewise it is danced in a circle, where the drum is used as the accompanying instrument. Even the costumes here are similar to that of Bhangra and Jhummar.

 

Jalli Dance

Jalli dance is a religious dance associated with Pirs and recluses and is generally danced in their hermitages (khangahs). This dance is performed mostly in a sitting posture by male folk artists and it is fast in terms of the beats. Sometimes, it is also danced around the grave of a preceptor. Even a single dancer can also perform this dance. In this dance, the toes of leg are tensed and the dancer holds a thick staff in his hands, which he revolves while dancing. Participants wear normally black coloured clothes with his head covered with black scarf. Sometimes, the murids (followers) also tie ghungroos i.e. jingling bells around their waists like the Bhangra dancers.

 

Giddha Dance

Giddha dance is considered as originated from West Punjab. This dance form is derived from the ancient style of ring dancing.

 

Sammi Dance

The tribal communities of Punjab perform the Sammi Dance, which is popular in Sandalbar, which now is in Pakistan.

 

Kikli Dance

Kikli is more of a sport than a dance & is generally popular within the young girls. Usually, the dance is performed in pairs. Before beginning the dance performance, two participants stand face to face with their feet close to each other`s and their bodies inclined back. Standing in this pose the arms of the dancers are stretched to the maximum limit and their hands are interlocked firmly. This can be the best description of style of Kikli. The dance starts in its performance when the pairs, maintaining the above-mentioned pose, wheel round and round in a fast movement at the same spot with the feet serving as the pivotal points. The girls sing as they swirl around with colorful `orhnis` or `daupttas` flowing from their heads and anklets producing tinkling melodies. There are varieties of traditional songs available that are used to accompany the `Kikli` dance, where most of these consist merely of loosely rhyming lines without underlying theme.

 

Jaago Dance

On the night before the wedding, the female relatives of the bridegroom prepare a `Jaago`. Jaago is constructed following the style of ancient balconies on several surfaces of which lamps are hanged in the style of stars. These are filled with ghee or oil; cotton wicks are placed in them and lighted. This is put on the head of groom`s mother`s brothers` wife, led by her the mother`s relations. By singing, dancing, frolicking & knocking at the doors of residents of the groom`s village they take entry in the village, where the dancing group accept presents of food, grain and ghee for the lamps. They continue these rounds through the night, when the youth glow and the dark of the night resounds with mirth and laughter.

 

Teeyan Dance

Teeyan is the women`s dance festival celebrated in allover Punjab. Teeyan is also performed to welcome the rains is the principal time for the Giddha.