Paranda, A hair style of Punjabi Women.

Paranda, A hair style of Punjabi Women.

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Hair is considered as one of the best feature of human body. Person looks more attractive with properly combed and clean hairstyles. Majority of the females love long hair but some go with short hair as well. There are many different hairstyles including braids, buns, ponytails, twists etc. Punjabi women have long hair and Paranda is most beautiful accessory they tie in their hair. Paranda is one of the traditional handicrafts of Punjab. Punjabi women mostly wear this with Shalwar Kameeez and accessorize it with different jewelry like ear rings, nose pins and bangles. Paranda’s were considered as a symbol of love. Firstly they make a braid and tie the Paranda at the end of the braid.

They are made with colorful bunch of silk threads.  Paranda’s are available in many colors and designs, but each has its own uniqueness. They are mostly seen being wrapped with golden ribbons to make them look more attractive and visible. They are extensively used by women nowadays, especially on different occasions specifically on Mehndi. The bright colored long tassels braided in the hair are not a thing of the past anymore but a trend which is loved globally. In archaic times the Paranda’s were also referred to as the Black Sanp (snake). The Paranda is a hit in the European markets and countries as well, where the women are seen wearing them in the forms of hair extensions.

Bhangara, A punjabi Dance

Bhangara, A punjabi Dance

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People express their feelings in many different ways. Crying is the sign of sorrow and similarly many express their joy through smile and laugh. But dance is also a very common way of expressing joy and success at times. In Punjab there are many dance styles namely, Luddi, Jhummar, Dhamaal, and Gham Luddi. Bhangara is very common dance style. It was originated from Majha area Punjab and is a type of popular music combining Punjabi folk traditions with Western pop music. Traditional Bhangra is performed in a circle, and is performed using traditional dance steps. The Dhol is played according to local beats and folk songs are sung. This Bhangra is also performed on occasions nowadays especially on wedding ceremonies particularly on Barat. Even though there are special dresses for this Bhangra also for men and women both, men mostly wear turban, Kurta, Tehmat (loose loincloth tied around the dancer’s waist) and decorated waistcoats and women wear baggy pants tight at the ankle (Shalwar) and a long colorful shirt (Kameez). Women also wear Dupattas, colorful pieces of cloth wrapped around the neck. These vibrant colors depict the rich rural colors of Punjabi culture.

Charkha

Charkha

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“CHARKHA” which is commonly known as spinning wheel. The word ‘charkha’ has links from Persian ‘charkh’ known as circle. Spinning wheel (Charkha) is a very beautiful part of Punjabi culture. It is an item mostly used by women. It is small, easy to use and carry portable hand cranked wheel used to make thin fine fiber using cotton. Basically it has two parts.

1. Wheel
2. Spindle
 
The first thing is to set up the wheel. Now draw out the yarn (fiber) to arm’s length with your left hand while rotate the wheel clockwise with the right hand. This is done in a continuous motion, at a slight angle to the spindle. The trick is to coordinate the speed so that the yarn holds together but make sure not to make too much twist. Lift the hand and unwind the yarn from spindle, while rotating the wheel clockwise.
Young women keep themselves busy doing this work alone and in gatherings as well. Even in early times girls were given spinning wheels in their dowry. This is something to be appreciated because it is a great art work having different eye pleasing colors also.

Gajar Ka Halwa (Gajrela), A sweet dish of punjab

Gajar Ka Halwa (Gajrela), A sweet dish of punjab

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Carrots are the blessing for us in winters. People really enjoy this seasonal vegetable and prepare different dishes from it. The most popular and famous one is GAJAR KA HALWA. It is a traditional sweet of Punjab which is mostly served in winters as it is made from carrots.
Take some carrots and shred them well. Pour some milk in the pan and add these shredded carrots in it and start cooking it. Add sugar into it according to the taste and stir it well until the sugar is dissolved. Next add butter in it and again stir it till the butter comes on top.  Add some dry milk and dry fruits like pistachios to it and cook for few minutes. Add little amount of  kewra essence to it which will add more sweetness to it, now dish it out and serve warm.
Carrots are very healthy for us. It purifies our blood and clears the skin. Improves the digestive system as well. It also cures the stomach and intestinal diseases

Baraat, The Day of Marriage.

Baraat, The Day of Marriage.

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Barat is the official wedding ceremony day. It is the procession of family, relatives and friends of the couple. The family members and friends accompany the groom to the bride’s home. He usually makes his way to bride’s home on a decked car or horse with flowers and all other follows him on different vehicles. Also they are accompanied by a band playing different wedding songs. The groom is welcomed whole heatedly by bride’s family with flower garlands and rose petals thrown on groom’s family by bride’s friends and family.
On barat Nikkah ceremony takes place. Nikkah is actually a contract between bride and groom of marriage which is signed in the presence of some witnesses. MARRIAGE IS ILLEGAL WITHOUT NIKKAH. And this is performed by a legal religious person who have this authority from government. And after Nikkah some sweets are distributed among the guests from groom’s side known as Bidd

Rasm-e-Hina, an event before marriage

Rasm-e-Hina, an event before marriage

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“RASM-E-HEENA” is also known as the ‘heena ceremony’ or ‘Mehndi’. This event usually takes place one or two days before the main wedding day. This traditional event is usually held separately for bride and groom. The heena or mehndi is placed on couple’s hand. The bride's friends, cousins and family bring along sweets and henna for the groom, and the groom's family does the same for the bride. groom and bride does not take part in each other’s event and stay at home. Girls usually wear traditional dresses like shalwar kameez, lehngay, gharary of green or yellow color and boys wear shalwar kameez along with green small dupattas. The bride also wears the traditional mehndi dress of green, yellow or orange color with light make up and jewelry made of flowers. Whereas groom wears a casual shalwar kameez  The bride or the groom are brought forward in the ceremony under a decorative dupatta by their close relatives. In the bridal ceremony, the bride’s family or friends apply henna to her hands, and feed her sweets. This event is also known as ‘TAEL MEHNDI’ because female guests put some oil in groom’s and bride’s hair.
Music and dance performances are also very common these days on this event. Young girls also sing some traditional songs. Nowadays male and female both participate in this event.