Punjabi Culture Day – celebrated across the Punjab province – has not only highlighted rich cultural landscape, traditions, and history but also served as a bridge to connect the people, especially the younger generation, with their roots. For the first time in the provincial history, the government has arranged three-day social and cultural activities in Lahore and other cities to celebrate the day officially.
Addressing the three-day activities at the AlHamra Arts Council in Lahore, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said that everyone should be proud of speaking and being called Punjabi. “I love Pakistan as I am also a patriotic Pakistani. Also, I have immense love for the soil, people, music, traditions, and the culture of Punjab.” she asked the young people to learn English and other foreign languages, but they should speak Punjabi with pride.
“Punjab and Punjabi are our identity, we cannot forget it,” she said, adding that all languages and music were good, but Punjabi language has no match. “No music and dance can compete with the Bhangra of Punjab,” she said, and called Pakistan a beautiful country and Punjab as the most beautiful province. After many decades, series of fairs has resumed in Punjab, as the Horse and Cattle Show restarted after 30 years and the people enjoyed it for two weeks.
She said that Mela Chiraghan was restored after many years. Under the leadership of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the stagnation of discontinuity of years was removed and progress started, she said. “I reiterate to familiarize our children with Punjabi language and they should take pride in speaking Punjabi. I am always very much happy when people address me as daughter – Dhi Rani – or sister. I pray that may Almighty Allah always keep Punjab and its people smiling and shining.”
Earlier, thre three-day festival kicked off at the Alhamra Arts Council, with Maryam Nawaz Sharif attending a Punjab Dehaar event organised by the Information and Culture Department. Drummers dressed in yellow and red traditional attire performed at the ceremony, also featuring folk dances – Giddha and Bhangra – besides singing of Mahiye and Tappe. On the occasion, singer Hina Nasrullah presented Sufi Kalam in her unique style.
At the Ustad Allah Bakhsh Gallery, the chief minister inaugurated an art exhibition featuring views of Punjab. The culture of Lahore was beautifully depicted in the crafted paintings of Zulfiqar Zulfi and the chief guest highly appreciated painting skills. Various stalls showcasing handicrafts, turbans, Harappa and Taxila art samples, Gandhara sculptures, embroidery art, solar painting, pencil micro art and calligraphy on rice grains also attracted visitors. Veteran artists Sohail Asghar, Rashid Mahmood, Hamid Rana, singer Arif Lohar and Resham also joined the ceremony, besides provincial ministers, lawmakers, diplomats, and officers wearing turbans.
On the occasion, Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bukhari said that the culture of Punjab was so diverse that it can’t be described through words and displaying stalls. But the stalls showcasing traditional cultures of each division of the province have been set up as part of the Punjab Dehaar ceremony, she said, adding every city of Punjab has its own unique identity. She also announced that the Punjab government would introduce packages and incentives for the artists soon. She gave a detailed briefing in her address and paid a detailed visit to the unique village in the Burnie Garden.
She expressed interest in bangles, block print, Mukesh and gota kinari garments, and inspected various stalls of handicrafts, turban, Harappa and Taxila art samples besides witnessing Gandhara art sculptures with interest. She observed the texture of Chhabi, Pachi, Changair, Plate and Pakhi made of colorful palm leaves. She appreciated clay pots, the fabric on the khadi, and the lamps of camel skin. She also expressed interest in traditional mondhe, manjian, wooden stoves, chobara and other items. At the handicraft stall, the minister had pictures on the request of young artists.
