Patiala Salwar Kameez - A Contribution of Punjab

Patiala salwar kameez are taking the fashion world by storm nowadays. Their stunning silhouette has swept away hearts of many women. Loose fitting, comfortable yet fashionable is their eye catching part. Their one fleeting look is sufficient to imprison your attention.

Basically it is a dress from Punjab but its enticing appeal gradually has made an impact in other parts of India as well. Many women have adopted this self-effacing outfit as it is just the right mix of traditional as well as stylish look.

Patiala Salwar Kameez or Patiala Suit has a special historical background. There is a legend behind the name. Patiala is a place in Punjab in North India. In olden times, the Maharajas (King) of Patiala were very famous. Their dress was a pleated and baggy type salwar with long loose kameez in full sleeves. The dress emanated ethnicity, culture as well as royal comfort. In the new modern era, women copied this dress and named it Patiala Salwar kurta or Patiala Suit.

Patiala salwar kameez has pleats on the salwar in a falling manner. This draping effect imparts an attractive look and the drape falls like a fluid. It is worn with a short and tight kameez for balancing the ratio. Just like other salwars, patiala salwar also has drawstring waist. Falling pleats of salwar provides ease on wearing it.

Patiala salwar kameez actually look like this. It has printed salwar as it is the main pattern of the dress. The dupatta has phulkari work in satin or silk threads while kameez is basic, uncomplicated, fitted and is high above knees. Go for cotton fabric to look stylish in this fabulous outfit. There are specific figures of women on which this fashion looks remarkable. For pear shape figures, it does wonders by camouflaging their bottom weighty part with the drape and pleats. It is very fine wear for the summer season to remain cool due to its comfy and slack fit.

There is no stringent set of rules for the designs and patterns for sleeves, neck designs, front and back neckline depth and curves and cuts. Patiala salwar kameez is very comfortable to wear because of its wonderful fit. The whole set comes in variety of fabrics, colours and patterns starting from plain, printed and embroidered designs. This is a very common dress for Punjabi ladies in India and abroad.

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Culture of Punjab

Geographically, the North West region of India is known as Punjab. This is called the land of five rivers as the word Punjab is made up of two words 'Panj'+ 'Aab' where 'Panj' means five in Punjabi and 'Aab' mean rivers in Punjabi.

Punjabi culture is one of the oldest and richest cultures of the world. The Punjabi Culture is the culture of the Punjabi people who are now distributed throughout the world. The scope, history, sophistication and complexity of the culture are vast.

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 in humor. Punjab is very rich in terms of dance and is known for its dance forms. Most popular Punjabi dances are Bhangra, Giddha, Jhumar, Luddi, Dankara Julli, Sammi, Dhamal, Jaago, Kikli and Gatka.

Now a day, many non-Punjabis are also getting into Punjab's folk dances and you can 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.

Museums in Punjab-Punjab museums possess an extensive range of paintings and sculptures by many Indian artists as well as a collection of Indian miniatures of the Mughal Rajsathani, Pahari and Sikh schools. The museums also house a fine collection of medals and arm, as these are objects of princely states with sections on Archaeology, Anthropology, Tribal and folk arts depicting different concepts and scopes in the patterns of Art and Culture.

Art and craft of Punjab- Punjab art is described as a creation or expression of something beautiful especially in visual form and many a time in Art and craft. Many phrases have decorative designs and handicrafts. Many things which are associated with art and craft of Punjab are known all over the world for their quality and beauty.

Phulkari - Captivating Artwork of Punjab

Phulkari is a prominent artwork of the state of Punjab that adds to the popularity of the most happening place in India. The term Phulkari means flowering or floral work that is clearly visible in the final artwork. The craft basically involves embroidery of floral designs and patterns on various garments like shawls, scarf, handkerchief, sarees, and dupattas.

Evolution of this captivating craft dates back to the sixteenth century when women of the state started involving themselves in this activity during their free time. The craft started as an unprofessional disposition but over a period of time, its charm, beauty, and elegance was widespread. With this increasing worth, Phulkari turned out to be a professional artwork in the nineteenth century.

This beautiful craft is done by making small darn stitches over the cloth in an artistic manner. The stitches are done in various intricate designs using a silk yarn that is available in a spectrum of colors and shades. The base cloth is hand woven and adding immensely beautiful designs on that adds more charm and beauty to the cloth. Some of the most common designs and patterns embroidered are figures of vegetables, fruits, animals, birds, leaves, rivers, sun, buildings, and moon. Furthermore, sun-shade pattern, coriander design, jasmine picture, and rainbow pattern are most popular patterns of Phulkari. A wide range of color combinations are used to make these figures and artistic designs. Some prominent colors used are yellow, crimson, golden, green, pink, and blue. Apart from these there are abundant of color options and shades that add vibrancy and life to the Phulkari garment or textile.

The traditional craft also reflects the rich heritage of the state and is considered to be a symbol of love. Some of the Phulakri clothes are believed to showcase various scenes from real life that narrate the essence of cultural activities. With various designs and patterns, the Phulkari craft expresses every emotion of love, care, concern, and humanity.

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Museum of Punjab Agriculture University Ludhiana

The Museum of Rural life of Punjab in the campus of the Punjab Agricultural University is one of the must-sees for any tourist of Punjab. This museum displays the Punjabi Culture to its best. The PAU is perhaps, the only university in India to have a museum like this.

The museum assumes much importance since the rural Punjab is changing fast. The old traditions and customs, which were rampant till the last decade, are now losing their stand with the intervention of the technology. Women fetching water in gaggars (the bronze pot) from the village well are no more seen. Old bronze utensils are now antique pieces. Spinning is no more done. Women do not embroider phulkari. In the fields with the arrival of advanced technologies, the electric motors and pumps have replaced the Dhingli and Charsa by mechanical threshers. All such traditional items, which once lent charm to the Punjabi culture, are now nowhere to be seen. But the university museum preserves them all for those who still want to cherish the old, lovely memories as well as for those who are anxious to know about rural Punjab.

The whole credit for building up this museum goes to Dr. M.S. Randhawa, the first Vice Chancellor of this University. It was he who conceived the idea and initiated the project. He decided suitable design for the building and collected the old objects from small ancient villages and towns like Sultanpur Lodhi, Rahon, Goindwal, Zira and Sunam.

The museum is located at the back of College of Home Science of this University. The charges are minimal at Rs. 2/-. The museum is open on all working days of the university from 9 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.the museum has a beautiful facade. It resembles the traditional houses of rural Punjab. It lies in a 4000 sq. Yards area. The museum looks splendid while also maintaining the simplicity of rural life. A 100-yard long path, flanked on both sides by water channels, leads to the finely carved doors of the museum.

Interiorly the museum is divided into various sections. The very first room contains a collection of Harappan pottery and coins. Next is an open kitchen, which includes all the necessary kitchen equipment like a big paraat, an old type of Chulha (the hearth), a peerhi etc. Besides there are two dummies of housewives - one carrying a gaggar (the bronze pot) on her head and another rolling the chappatis. 

In a room on the left are placed old bronze utensils for cooking, eating, drinking and milking the cattle.The next room has other household equipments like grain storage bins, spinning wheel, other equipment for ginning, spinning, weaving etc. Besides this, there are pictures of village artisans by the artist Kehar Singh. A dummy of a lady making trouser string lies in the centre of this room.

the next room one enters in contains a beautiful dummy of a house. Wife is grinding grains with the hand mill. This room also contains some home equipments and baskets made from reeds and date leaves. Outside this room in the verandah is a kuppa (a huge oil container).

The next section contains musical instruments like Dholak (the drum), and other string instruments like Sitar, Sarangi, Tumba and Algoza. The next compartment has a cradle for the baby, a large cot, a walker and other toys. Items that were given in the dowry, the vanity boxes, and the mustard oil lamp are all there. There is a dummy of a housewife churning milk. Then there is a well with all necessary equipment for drawing water. Next lies a small closet with items involved in religious ceremonies.

After passing through another room containing decorations and harnesses, saddles and Jhuls for cattle, horses and camels, we come to a section that contains traditional agricultural implements.

The balcony built primarily for display of Phulkaris looks fabulous. There are dummies of 7-8 housewives embroiding the phulkari. There is another dummy of a bride sitting in a Dola just about to leave her parents home. Representation of Bhangra Dance of Punjab is done through toys. The typical dress of a Punjabi lad and lass are on display. The jewelry and the Punjabi Jutis (foot-wears) are also displayed in showcases.

This museum reveals the true picture of rural Punjab. All the visitors thus are much enthralled by its splendor.

PTC Punjabi Film Awards 2011

Complete Results of PTC Punjabi Film Awards 2011

Jimmy Shergill starrer ‘Mel Karade Rabba’ has been declared the best Punjabi movie of 2010 in the PTC Punjabi Film Awards 2011 function held Friday night at Panchkula. PTC has created history by starting Punjabi Film Awards and this was the first ever Punjabi Film Awards function.

Bollywood actress Divya Dutta bagged Best Actress Award for her role in ‘Sukhmani’ while Jimmy Shergill has bagged the Best

Actor award for ‘Mel Karade Rabba’.

Critics Best Actor Award was conferred on Gurdas Mann and Critics Best Actress Award was given to Neeru Bajwa for their roles in ‘Sukhmani’.

Bollywood actors Raza Murad and Satish Kaul were conferred Life Achievement Awards for their contribution to Punjabi Cinema. Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda did the honours.

Manjeet Mann wife of Singer, performer and actor Gurdas Mann was awarded with Best Director Award for ‘Sukhmani’.

Jaidev was awarded with Best Music Director Award for ‘Mel Karade Rabba’.

Kailash Kher was given award for being Best Playback singer (Male) for his song ‘Tere Rang Wich’ for the Movie ‘Tere Ishq Nachaya’. Shreya Ghoshal bagged Best Playback singer (Female) award for her song ‘Rabba he Rabba’ for the film ‘Sukhmani’.

Punjabi Singer Miss Pooja got Best Debut Female Actress Award for her debut film Panjaban while Best Debut Male Actor award went to Gaurav Kakkar for Chak Jawana.

Bollywood actor Gulshan Grover was awarded Best Supporting Actor award for his role in ‘Virsa’ while the Best Supporting Actress went to theatre personality Nirmal Rishi for her role in ‘Panjaban’.

Popular comedian Gurpreet Ghuggi was the popular choice for Best Performance in a Comic Role for film ‘Mar Jawan Gur Kha Ke’.

Singer Meeka Starrer Punjabi film Mitti also bagged two awards. Sardar Sohi won an award for ‘Mitti’ as Best Performer in a Negative Role while another award went to the film for Best Background Score rendered by Ajay Bisht.

Renowned lyricist Amardeep Gill was awarded Best Lyricist award for title song of film ‘Ik Kudi Punjab Di’.

Ace Cinematographer and Director Manmohan Singh and Rana Ranbir have shared the award for Best Screenplay and Dialogues for ‘Ik Kudi Punjab Di’.

Krishna Ramanan bagged the award for Best Cinematography for ‘Virsa’.

OmKar Nath Bhakri bagged another award for ‘Sukhmani’ for Best Editing.

Story of Gurdas Mann Starrer ‘Sukhmani’ was found to be best and the award for Best Story was shared by Suraj Sanim and Late Manoj Punj.

The glittering award ceremony had performances by none other than Bollywood Star Akshay Kumar and sultry siren Neha Dhupia.

Gurdas Mann, Divya Dutta, Harbhajan Mann, Kimi Verma, Diljit and others also enthralled the audience with their performances. Hard Kaur was another attraction with her foot tapping numbers.

Those present included Channel Head Rabindra Narain, CEO Raji M Shinde, Om Puri, Preeti Sapru, Anushka Sharma, Singer Malkeet Singh UK, Deep Dhillon, Jaspindr Narula, Satinder Sartaj, Ariyan Babbar, Producer Director Manmohan Singh, Rakesh Bedi, Director Pankaj Batra, Puneet Issar etc.

Attrection of Jalandhar - Haveli (Rangla Punjab)

 

Rangla Punjab Haveli: A traditional Punjabi village themed resort. Haveli, a traditional Punjabi restaurant on the G.T. Road, Jalandhar-Phagwara Highway, a wayside eating resort off Jalandhar.The resort that came up a few years ago, close to the popular Lucky Dhaba, has clicked like anything. It offers the ambience of a lost Punjabi village with a truck interior very much a part of the interior and waiters togged in tehmat-kurtas and phulkari jackets. Now it has grown to add a marriage palace and an enlosure called Rangla Punjab, which has a cultural programme every evening. Many wayside resorts are trying to go the Haveli way but this place, run by Jains of Jalandhar, remains unparalleled in success. The only thing that is not to be found here is non-vegetarian fare but people still come out in large numbers to Haveli. It's a new-age dhaba with a heady flavour of bygone Punjab. Haveli, a traditional Punjabi restaurant on the Grand Trunk Road near Jalandhar, has redefined roadside eating by a delectable blend of Punjabi cuisine and culture. Making it a clean break from the dust-and-flies fixture of the highway dhabas, this 23-acre food plaza offers ethnic food in a folk-laced ambience imbued with neatness and nostalgia. Haveli spawned a couple of copycats with "Haveli" suffix in Punjab and Haryana. On average, this 24x7 eatery attracts 5,000 to 8,000 customers every day per one of their employee.

 

The high turnover makes Haveli's gastronomical delights easy on the pocket. Haveli's USP is its ethnic look. From an exterior of "Nanakshahi" bricks to a bevy of antique artifacts, the place evokes the old world charm. Even the music is distinctly folk. Not surprisingly, it has become a must-stop eatery for the NRIs heading to or from Punjab in winters. While Haveli has expanded into a one-stop food plaza, Rangla Punjab, its entry-on-coupon eatery, takes the cake.

Haveli has an all-vegetarian menu of Punjabi food cooked in desi ghee (clarified butter). Dal Tadka, Karahi Paneer and Kheer are its top-selling all-season delicacies. In winters, Saron Da Saag and Makki Di Roti (Punjabi village winter speciality) is the most favourite dish. Saron Da Saag & other eateries offered in Haveli are specially mentioned in one of the famous Punjabi/Bollowood Singer Gurdas Mann's song (Apna Punjab Hove...Ghar Di Sharaab Hove... Mooli Naal Gandha Hove...Baan Wala Manja Hove... Ho Manje Ute Baitha JAT Oye Banea Nawaab Hove... Apna Punjab Hove...Ghar Di Sharaab Hove... Apna Punjab..........Apna Punjab..... Saron De Saag Vich Main Gheo Hi Gheo Pai Jaavan.. Makki Diyan Rotiaan Nu Bina Gine Khai Jaavan.. Khoo Te Jaa K Ganne Choopan.... Apna Punjab Hove...Ghar Di Sharaab Hove... Apna Punjab..........Apna Punjab.....). One finds many of the items listed in Gurdas Mann's song in Haveli restaurant except Sharaab (so far I know).

Every evening, the place reverberates with folk songs and dances, keeping Haveli's cash registers ringing. Somone in our family who works for an exporter in India, accompanied their foreign clients more than 50 times to this place though I visited it once only.