Heer Ranjha, A true love story of Punjab

Heer Ranjha, A true love story of Punjab

Waris Shah Unknown  

Heer Ranjha, A true Love Story of Punjab

Everyone is knows the name of  Heer Ranjha. A tragic never ending love story written by Waris Shah. It is often said that is a real love story of shah when he fell in love with a girl name Bhag Bhari. But at the same time it is said that Heer and Ranjha were real personalities who lived in lodhi dynasty.

The story begins here, Heer was a beautiful woman. She was born in a rich Rajput Family. A man named Dheedo Ranjha was a Jat of Rajput Tribe. He was the youngest among his four brothers and was his father’s favorite son. The time passes and quarrel started between brothers over land and Ranjha left his home. But according to Waris Shah his brother’s wives did not give him food so he left the home. He then came to Heer’s village and her father offered him a job of herding the cattle. Ranjha used to play Wanjhali. Heer got mesmerized by the way he played his Wanjhali and fell in love with him. Ranjha also got attracted by Heer’s beauty. Both met each other secretly for years. One day they got caught by Heer’s uncle Kaido. After that Heer was forced to get marry by her parents and family.

Ranjha is heartbroken and wanders in the countryside. He met a Jogi (ascetic) there, and he himself becomes a Jogi and reciting the name of lord he wanders here and there to find Heer. Eventually he finds the village where Heer lives. When he returns back Heer’s parents agree to their marriage. On the wedding day Heer’s uncle poison’s her food. Ranjha did everything he could do to save Heer but it was too late and she died. He ate that poisoned Laddu (sweet) too and dies beside her. Both were buried in Jhang hometown of Heer.

Many movies are also made on their love story.  Love-smitten couples and others often pay visits to their mausoleum.

Dhol , Musical Instrument of Punjab

Dhol , Musical Instrument of Punjab

song Unknown  

Dhol is a traditional instrument mostly played in Punjab. It is different from drums. The structure of Dhol is like a hollow drum, The drum consists of a wooden barrel with animal hide or synthetic skin stretched over its both open ends, which cover them completely. These skins can be stretched or loosened with a tightening mechanism, using nuts and bolts. The pitch of drum can be set by tightening and losing it. The stretched skin on one of the ends is thicker and produces a deep, low frequency (higher bass) sound and the other thinner one produces a higher frequency sound.  Nowadays drums with synthetic, or plastic, treble skins are commonly used.

It is a double-sided barrel drum played mostly as an accompanying instrument in regional music forms. The Dhol is played using one or two wooden sticks, usually made out of Bamboo and Cane wood. The stick used to play the bass side of the instrument is known as the Dagga in Punjabi, which is thick and is bent in a quarter-circular arc on the end that strikes the Dhol. The other stick is known as Tihli which is much thinner and flexible than the other and used to play the higher note end of the instrument.  In Qawali, the Dhol used is of smaller size and known as Tabla.

Nowadays Dhols are very common in marriage ceremonies. Specifically on Mehndi and Barat. Dhols are played and people express their feelings of joy by dancing on Dhol beats. It is also played on many occasions in village areas. In Punjab areas Dhol remains bulky to make large bass. Bhangara is mostly done on Dhol beats.

Dhol is also played on shrines of saints on Thursday or on their annual Uras or Meyla. Sufi Dhol is the most commonly type Dhol beat which is played on shrines. Some times Dhol player do a roll with beating the Dhol.

Bhangara, A punjabi Dance

Bhangara, A punjabi Dance

song Unknown  

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.

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

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

sweet Unknown  

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

Sarson Ka Saag

Sarson Ka Saag

vegetable Unknown  

Very common and traditional dish of Punjabi culture is ‘SARSON KA SAAG’ and ‘MAKKI KI ROTI’ Sarson ka saag is always served with makki ki roti and lassi. Guests are mostly served with this dish.

  Saag is firstly put in water and washed properly.  Then a little fresh water is added and saag is boiled over slow fire. Add green chilies & ginger & cook till saag gets thick. And for tadka, chopped onions, ginger, garlic, red pepper powder; garam masala, dhania are added and saute until onions are light brown.

Makki ki roti is made from maize. The maize flour is sieved in the bowl, finely chopped coriander leaves, carom seeds and salt is added with warm water and smooth dough is made. Take a small portion of the dough and make a dough ball and press that dough ball smoothly with your palm and roll it gently like a roti. Place the roti on heated tawa and add few drops of oil and cook it well. After it is cooked add some butter over it.,

This dish is very good for our health. It reduces Symptoms of Arthritis, Prevents Urinary Stones, Fights off Colds and Flu, Fights Cancer and helps in anaemia. It has high amount of proteins and nutrients good for our body.

Baraat, The Day of Marriage.

Baraat, The Day of Marriage.

Wyah Unknown  

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