FAIRS
An
a verage fair is enchantingly picturesque. A bustling market springs up, in
which articles of food and products of local handicrafts-toys, glass bangles
and an assortment of all kinds of articles for domestic use-are on display. A
greater accent is, however, always on the toy shops where photographs and clay
models of Rama and Sita, of Hanuman flying with the life giving herb, of Lord Krishna
and his Gopis, and of Lord Siva with his trident and snakes are well
displayed. The whole mythology seems to be depicted in toys. Women can be seen
excitedly haggling for trinkets. There is fun and frolic all round. The
old as well as the young run to the swings and swing to their heart's
content. The gay ones in small groups sing Bolian and perform folk dances to
the strain of the Vanijli and Algoza. The sturdy ones test their strength
in wrestling fields. It is a feast of color and gaiety and fully reflects the
joy of the community.
The fairs of the Punjab are linked with its culture and reflect by and large,
the various phases of its life. Some of the distinct Punjabi traits are depicted in them. They may be divided into the following types:
i) Seasonal
fairs ii) Mythical fairs iii) Fairs held in honour of
saints iv) Fairs connected with festivals.
Basant Panchami
Basant Panchami is the most famous of the seasonal
fairs. It heralds the
advent of spring. Fields of mustard present a unique and colourful sight all
over rural Punjab which looks like a newly wedded damsel resplendent in her
gorgeous golden yellow. There is a spirit of gay abandon in the air and the
Punjabi is rightly infected with the spirit. His heart and soul become one with
nature and he expresses his elevated spirit in song and dance. The Basant fair is held in many villages of the Punjab. People put on yellow
costumes appropriate to the season. One huge mass of mustard blossom seems
walking down to the fair. Kite-flying was a popular entertainment of the people
on this occasion. Often on the Basant Panchami day, if there was a good breeze,
one could see nothing but innumerable multi-colored kites in the sky, swishing
over in all directions.
Baisakhi
Baisakhi is a seasonal festival with a special accent. It is celebrated all
over the state on the first of Baisakh. This is the time when harvest is
gathered in and the farmer exults in the fulfillment of his year's hard work. He
joins the merry-making with full gusto and does not mind walking for miles to
be able to do so. Since this fair is also an expression of prosperity, singing
and dancing constitute its most enchanting features. The Punjab's famous dances,
Bhangra
and Giddha are inextricably linked with this festival.
Many fairs in the Punjab are held near the tombs and shrines of
Pirs. These
fairs must have originated in a spirit of devotion to those saints and sages.
People of all classes and creeds join in without any inhibition. The most famous
such fairs are: the Chhapar fair, the Jarag fair and the Roshni fair of
Jagranvan.
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