Punjabi Culture
Apart from it being a region in India, it is the most spoken language in the country. Most of the people in northern India and Pakistani are Punjabis ad speak the Punjabi language. Most Punjabis are Sikhs, a religion that is most widespread in India. 58% of the Punjabis are sick, while 32% are Hindus. The people have a variety of culture, and the culture is diverse. With many of them having been distributed to different parts of the world, Punjab is among the highly spoken languages. In Canada, it is the fourth most spoken language. The people of Punjab are called Punjabis, while the area is what is referred to as Punjab (Salman, 2020). Most of the Punjabis in Pakistan are Muslims, while those of India are sick, as mentioned earlier. A few percentages of Punjabis comprise of Christians and other religions. The Punjab region is usually referred to as the breadbasket of both India and Pakistan because of its high food productivity. This work aims at analyzing the culture of the Punjabis of northern India.
The Punjabi culture is diverse and has a variety of things, just like other cultures around the world. Folksongs, dances, cuisine, mode of dressing, different occasions, and celebrations are among the many things that occur within this culture. When it comes to their music and dances, they are very entertaining, which has made it capture the eyes of the world. Much music nowadays uses some of the aspects of the Punjabi culture. The most known musical art in the Punjabi culture is Bhangra, which is slowly taking over the current music industry (Salman, 2020). The musical art has different dance forms which have changed over time. These dances are usually performed during special occasions such as weddings, festivals and other celebrations. The dance moves vary from religious to non- spiritual with age, also being a factor. The dance moves vary from slow to vigorous ones. The Punjabis have different types of dances which are usually performed on different occasions. Some of the Punjabi dances are Sammi ludhi, dankara julli, and Bhangra. Punjabi songs are very melodious and emotional. Women usually do most of the singing while both do dancing. The women use different instruments while performing the dances, which make the entire event attractive. They also dress in uniquely beautiful and colorful clothes which entices different people. They usually dance enthusiastically, making the dance moves to be used in different parts of the world. The Punjab dances, songs, and dressings are very much loved by many making the language more famous.
Puja Kapoor is a young Indian woman of around twenty-four years. She comes from the Punjab region in India and is proud of her culture. She says that being a Punjabi the most significant thing that has happened to her as she can enjoy the diverse culture. Puja is among the many people in Punjab that are Sikh. She enjoys going to the temple and learning about the Sikh religion. With Punjabis being the most spoken language in India, Puja has no problem in speaking the language since she pronounces each Punjabi word correctly. She is a dancer and is usually invited to dance at different festivals and celebrations. For instance, early last year, she as among the many young women that performed a dance and song during the celebrations of Baisakhi. She also joined other people to celebrate Diwali, where they showcased their unique dancing skills (Salman, 2020).
Puja is the perfect epitome of a Punjabi woman judging from the way she dresses, the food that she eats, among other things. She rarely dresses the western styles, and most of her clothes consist of Punjabi ghagra and the salwar suit. Most of the girls in these regions like wearing the salwar suit and the Patiala. It is widespread for women in Punjab to dress this way. The salwar suit is a trouser designed to be tight and a Patiala, which looks like a dress worn at the top. Most young women, including Puja, dress this way while married women usually prefer wearing a sari. Although some married women or older women can wear a salwar and a Patiala, it very rare to find them, especially the elderly. Although Puja has been to different areas in India, she prefers to live in Punjab, her homeland, so that she can continue learning about her culture. She says that the Punjabi culture is among the well-known cultures in the world and that she is very proud to be associated with it. She also explains how she has earned about other cultures, but she is still proud to be a Punjabi.
Puja also likes cooking different Punjabi cuisines, especially during celebrations. She explains how she can cook tandoori, fish dishes such as Machha Sola, Fish Kebab, Fish Tikka, and Amritsari Fish. She also describes how she can cook different vegetables and spices. Since Punjabi cuisine is full of spices, Puja says that she can make a variety of spices since they grow some in her home. The young lady also says how she can make different Punjabi cuisine for various people, including children. Punjab is known to be India’s breadbasket, meaning the region has a lot of food. With them having a variety of foods, Punjabi can cook different meals during an occasion. The foods are usually attractive and colorful due to the various spices and combinations that they use. Puja is among the many native Punjabi women that can handle their work in the kitchen properly. The area is among the highest producers of wheat and other agricultural products, Punjabis are known for their bread. They have different varieties of food, which are well known in entire India. The different types of bread are; Tandoori roti, Rumali roti, Missi roti, and parathas. They are all different types of roti (bread) that are well known in the Punjabi culture. Puja explains how she can make all these types of rotis and the process for making all of them. She also gives the procedure for making the bread. According to Puja, making roti is easy as long as one is committed to knowing the procedure. She also says that, when festivals are few, and she cannot dance, she always helps her parents to sell roti in their bakery.
According to Puja’s explanation about her culture, she is devoted and loves her lifestyle more than anything else. She has traveled the whole of India but still chooses to stay in Punjab is good evidence of her love for her people. Puja being a youngster who would love to explore, it shows that she loves the Punjab region and that she is ready to live there and appreciate her people. With many young people who do not know their roots, Puja is a different woman. She loves to explore everything in the Punjab culture, as seen in the way she lives. Her life is full of her culture. Unlike many people who do not know or only understand a few things about their culture, Puja knows almost everything from dressing, dancing, singing, and even cooking. She is also religious, and that is why she loves visiting the temple. Puja explains that the temple guides them in everything they do. Many of the people in the region like visiting the area for prayers and guidance from the almighty.
In conclusion, Punjab culture is very diverse, and many people have adapted to their different way of life. The language is among the most spoken in India and neighboring regions, making it among the widely known languages. With many areas in India depending on Punjab for food, the area is known for vast agricultural produce that feeds the entire country. Both Punjabis in India and Pakistan are known for their farming technique and high agricultural produce. The Punjabis mode of dressing is admired by many it is seen in different parts of the world. Many people like dressing in the Punjabi way, which makes a diverse culture and a cultural heritage. Many Punjabis are warm and welcoming, just like Puja, making it easy to interact with them. The Punjab region in India is very much populated the Punjabis hospitality and their readiness to help. They are also known to be hardworking, which has made them have vast agricultural produce compared to other regions in India.
References
Salman Sabir. (2020). Punjabi Culture and Traditions. Retrieved April 19, 2020, from https://words.pk/punjabi-cculture-and-traditions/