Cultural festivals of punjab

Eassay Outline

1. Introduction
2. Cultural festivals
3. Exhibitions
4. Besant
5. Conclusion

Culture may even be described simply as that which makes life worth living.

A festival is a public celebration of an event to create a sense of brotherhood, selflessness, peace and harmony between different group’s people. The cultural festivals of Punjab allow the people to rejoice by leaving their routine chores. They bring the people of different areas closer to create a cultural harmony among them. The festivals also provide the opportunities to

the artisans to display their handicrafts which depict their cultural heritage.

The people of Punjab are very fond of celebrating the “Urses” of saints and Lok-Melas. A number of cultural festivals are celebrated every year in Punjab. Some of them are celebrated to refresh the memories of great saints. These are held at their shrines. The Mela Chiraghan is held at the shrine of Hazrat Madhu Lal Hussain. The “Urses” of Baba Farid, Hazrat Data Gunj Bukhsh and Imam Ban are held at the shrines of these great saints. People from far off places gather at the shrines to pay homage to them.

Among Melas, Kabaddi, wrestling, riding, horse race, horse dance, fight of dogs, jousting and tug of war are very common. The people come from every part of the country to join them. Horse and Cattle Show is another prominent festival which is held annually in Gaddafi Stadium Lahore and attracts tourists from all over the world.

Besides, industrial exhibitions, exhibitions of mangoes, exhibitions of handicrafts, theatrical dramas, Mushairey and concerts of folk music are held round the year.

Basant (Kite-flying) has become a controversial issue due to the abuses and unpleasant consequences related to this activity, and is almost banned in large cities.

Lok- Melas bring a number of festivities with them: acrobatic feats. Stalls of drinks, adventurous motorbike-ride in the make-shift wooden structure called “Maut ka Kunwan”, songs and dances of performers, witchcraft of jugglers and monkey tricks.

Harvesting season from April to June is another festivity for the countrymen. They contest for harvesting wheat at the beat of drums.

The Punjab has diverse festivals which enable the people to develop a sense of brotherhood among them. The need of the time is that the government must project them internationally so that the world may be aware of the potential of the people of the Punjab. The government must introduce the culture of the Punjab through exchange programs with other nations.