Culture of Punjab

Punjab has a rich tradition of folk songs and dances. There are songs for every occasion, be it a marriage, birth of a baby or the harvesting season. Couplets in Punjabi are part of the day-to-day life of its people. The state also has a strong influence of Sufism and Punjabi devotional songs reflect this influence. Festive occasions are livened up by singing to the beats of the dholak (drum) and the vigorous bhangra dance accompanied by full-throated cries of “ballé ballé” (meaning “great going”). Both men and women participate in this rhythmic and energetic dance form. Punjabi pop songs have gained tremendous popularity with “ballé ballé” tunes in great demand at public events, discotheques, clubs and pubs and hugely enjoyed by MTV and Channel V enthusiasts.

Punjab also has a long history of practising traditional sports like the kabaddi, wrestling and weight lifting. One of the Sikh gurus had started the practice of holding wrestling bouts at the Golden Temple. That tradition continues, and now rural sports competitions are hosted in almost 7,000 villages all over the state. The martial community of the Nihangs (an order of Sikhism) display sporting events like tent pegging, archery, fencing, horse riding, gymnastics and acrobatics.

Women in Punjab traditionally practice the craft of needlework on bedspreads, garments and other textile products. The most famous patterns have the phulkari, or embroidered floral motifs. Bright coloured silk threads are used to create designs on deeper tones of cotton fabric. Punjab also has the craft tradition of hand woven dhurries (cotton floor spreads). Mostly, they are woven in stripes, chequer board and square patterns, but also have floral, bird and animal motifs.

Leather craft, especially the “juttis” or soft leather shoes, is a unique product from Punjab. These light slip-ons used to be embroidered in gold and silver thread, but are now embellished with coloured threads. Punjab also has a tradition of fancy woodwork. Furniture including beds with colourful carved legs, low seats called “peeras”, boxes and toys are all decorated with mirrors, lacquer finish and even ivory inlay.