Mera Pind Mere Khet (punjabi culture)

  Mera Pind Mere Khet 

Punjab, the land of five rivers and integrated cultural history, is a treasure trove for an avid tourist. For this land of the great gurus not only boasts of ancient monuments but throbs with historical embodiments. It is no secret that whoever comes to this land of yellow fields with blue mountains providing the romantic and picturesque backdrop has never gone back without imbibing the essence of Punjab.

For a traveler, Punjab is a wonderful tourist destination and especially if your visit a countryside place or Pind (village) is what you wish to explore on your luxury Punjab travel, spend some in a traditional Punjab village. 

What to See and feel in Punjab Village : 
Stay in the Punjab Village home. Early morning visit the houses to see and feel how the day in the village starts. Men give bath to their Cows and milk them. The ladies of the House will light their hearths with cow dung and leaves to cook food. The Punjab villager farmers plough their fields with bullocks. 

Potters collect clay from nearby pond (Chhappar) and make clay pottery, Surahi and Ghara (vessels for storing water), dishes, jars, etc. 

Sit and see the creative ability of the women in Phulkari embroidery of different design and blending of harmonious colours.

Watch village metal-workers or Lohars casting, soldering and making metal things like Hammer, Sickle, garden tools, pots and common utensils used in the village kitchen. 

Visit Carpenters or Tarkhans to see them carving traditional and regional style Doors, Windows, Beds, chairs, tables, etc out of different Woods 

You can walk along the swaying mustard fields, take a ride on a tractor, take the cattle for grazing, feed the cattle or simply sit, relax and gulp down the fresh buttermilk in the green fields.

What to eat :
* Stuffed Alloo (Potatoes), Gobhi (Cauliflower)  or Muli (Reddish) Paranthas with fresh Butter and a glass of butter milk.
* Sarson Ka Saag (Mustard Leaves) and Makki Ki Roti (Corn Flour) with Onion chutney.
* Mah Ki Dal (Black Lentil), Baingan Bhartha (mashed Eggplant), Bhunna Gosht (Mutton), Butter Chicken, Tandoori Roti (Baked Bread) and Dahi Raita (Curd).

Punjab has received hospitality as a God's gift and in Punjab villages it remains supreme. It resides in the soul of rural folks. Reach a home in the middle of the night, the ladies will happily get up and cook fresh food for you. You can't pass by certain villages without enjoying hospitality. You'll be looked after so long as you stay. You will be warmly sent off, not empty handed, but with a gift of whatever is available in the house. Like all other human traits of the people of Punjab their hospitality is also guileless, rare and intense. It is an ubiquitous theme of Punjabi folk lore. When the crow, sitting atop the roof, crows, or dough when it is being kneaded bubbles, folk songs tell us that these are auspicious omens which convey that a guest is on his way. There are several other sayings which speak of the pleasures that are derived by looking after visitors.

Good habitat, laughter, playfulness and love form the environment in which hospitality grows in Punjab. May the culture of this blessed land of the five rivers perpetuate and ever grow !

 The People of Punjab are friendly, hospitable, hardworking and relish living. This is due to the fact that it usually bore the onslaught of attackers a number of times. In time people became to live in their present times by enjoying life. And soon eating became a part of their joys of life. There is a verse to epitomise their colourful nature.Punjabi songs are full of melody. The beats of drum (dhol) and the rhythm of the steel spoon on the dholak is a simple style but adds to the exuberance of Punjabi music. The dance styles of Punjab has more flavor with its bhangra, giddha, kikli and sammi.

Dance and songs are very much compulsory during get togethers and festivals. The festivals of Punjab makes the culture more interesting. Bhangra” is one of the most famous dance forms of Punjab. With the loud drumming of the dholak, people dance with zeal to the tunes of the music. “Giddha” is another important variant of dance practiced by Punjabi women. Bolis are lyrically sung and danced by women. Other popular dance forms are Jhumar, Dhankara and Gatka. Irrespective of age or religion, Punjabis love to dance and enjoy themselves to mark festivity. Folk music is the soul of Punjabi culture. Folk music comprises of simple musical instruments like dholak and dhol drum. Punjabi music relates to the zestful people of Punjab. Bhangra is a popular music form of Punjab. Boliyas are sung and music is played in tune with the lyrics. Punjabi songsat the wedding range from emotional interludes to very peppy beats, where there is a constant chiding of the bride and groom. A sense of humor is essential to enjoy the wedding songs.

The traditional attire of people is Kurta-pyjama with turban for men. Women prefer Patiala suits as part of their traditional attire. However, the younger generation prefers trendy attire as per the fashion scenario. The NRI population has been a major influece regarding attire of the Punjabis. There is a riot of colors in the pagdi-turban and phulkari dupattas, that comes out during the Baisakhi festival. The traditional dress of the Punjabis comprising of the salwar-kameez for women and lehenga-kurta with a waistcoast has many colors and styling. Turban styles can be explored and is compulsory for all Sikhs.Duppatta-a part of Punjabi dress- has very much importance in the life of Punjabi girls. The Duppatta increases elegance and gravity of the Punjabi women. As it is a part of Salwaar Kameez- a Punjabi dress- the dress is incomplete without a duppatta. One can purchase fashionable duppattas from the markets of Punjab. Some of the fashion shows are also being organized in Punjab, which showcase influence the importance of the duppatta in Punjabi life. Punjabis are known for their keen interest in dress sense and up to date fashion essentials. They love to participate in all events and are sportive by nature. The balance is well maintained by yielding to western influences of pop culture in their bhangra beats and showing allegiance to God in the chants of Gurbani.

Punjabis are renowned for their utmost interest in arts and crafts. 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.Women used to weave wollen attire for everybody in the family. “Phulkari” is recognized worldwide for its intricate work. Shawls in silk are carefully hand-woven using traditional motifs as designs. Other famous crafts of the region include lacquer work, wooden work, Calico painting, paper mache` and many more. Wooden furniture is beautifully crafted by artisans with exquisite craftsmanship.

Punjabi Rural games played by kids:

These games are being played by Punjabi kids from centuries:

Stapoo
This is a game played both by the girls and boys. It is still common amongst some of the children. This game is played with in small boundary (court), drawn on the ground and a piece of stone.

Kikli
This is another game, basically for women. Two girls clasp their hands and move in circle. This was a game, which was played by two or four girls and multiple of two thereof.

Kikli kleer di,
Pag mere vir de,
Daupatta mere bhai da
Phitte mun jawai da

Kokla Chhapaki
This game is popular even today amongst the children. Both boys and girls play it. Children sit in a circles and a child who has cloth in hand goes around the circle-singing: It is a kind of warning for the children sitting in a circle not to look back. The cloth is then dropped at the back of a child. If it is discovered before the child who had placed it there had completed the round, the child who discovered the cloth would run after him and try to touch him with it till he sits in the place vacated by the one who had discovered the cloth.

Lukan Miti (Hide & Seek)
This was also played by both boys and girls and continues to this day. Two teams can also play this. One has to hide, the other has to seek but before doing it a call is given.This can continue the next coming days.

Bandar killa

This game is also very popular in villages of Punjab.This is played between severals kids,in this game One Key player(bandar) is tied to killa(pole) and then all the other players place their chappals(hawaian sandal) near the pole and the key Player (Bandar) has to protect those sandals from all the players .And during this competition if the key player touches other player then that player becomes key player(bandar) and the game goes on ....

Lak Bhannan

This game refreshes the charming memories of one’s childhood and it takes one back to the golden period of his/her life. There is a big trend of this game in the villages of Punjab. The game does not require any special equipment except for a rubber ball and few kids. In this game the person having the ball tries to throw ball at the other players back.

Pithhoo-Garam

This game  is also an exclusive part of the culture of Punjab. The game refreshes the charming memories of one’s childhood and it takes one back to the golden period of his/her life. There is a big trend of this game in the villages of Punjab. The game does not require any special equipment except for a rubber ball and five-six flat disc stones. The importance of the game is that it generates a lot of team spirit and co-ordination among the young children.

Langra Sher

This game is very popular among the village kids of punjab.In this game players draw a circle  and one player have to reside in a circle on his one leg only and by keeping the balance on his one leg he has to touch other players while residing in a circle.If the player in a circle is successful in  touching another player then that player comes in circle and becomes “Langra Sher”.

Gulli Danda
This is basically a game for the boys and is the simplest version of modern cricket. It is played with a wooden stick and 'gulli' (another small wooden piece pointed at both the ends.) Two teams divide themselves, one throws the gulli and the other team uses the danda- (stick) to strike it. There are various other games that are played with Gulli Danda.

Akkar-Bakkar
Akkar bakkar bombai bo
assee nabay pooray sao
sao kalota teetar mota
chal  madaree paysa khota..

Khote Di Khteyai
Bhaboo Nasi Nasi Ayi