AMRITSAR: The rich traditions of Punjabi culture, fun, frolics and festivity, marked the 'Vaisakhi' celebrations at historic Khalsa College campus here today. The students, faculty and staff had a gala time as they wore traditional dresses and danced to the tunes of Bhangra tunes as the festival showcased the heritage and culture of the state.
The music, dance were the highlights and stalls, depicting cultural heritage, added colour to the onset of harvesting season celebrations. The Punjabi delicacies including jalebis and pakodas added to the colour of the festival that had presentations of Sikh martial art Gatka in a highly choreographed style.
The mega Mela had the students enjoying Punjabi delicacies, merry-go-rounds and buying traditional items at the special stalls. The students and teachers resorted to Gidda, Bhangra and Jhoomer laced with tunes of folk songs and lyrics. The participants said the Punjabi composite culture was on display with College ground converging the diverse Punbjabi cultural bonanza.
Apart from the display of play by the drama artists from College, the dance competitions attracted huge applause as the teachers also joined in the celebrations. The campus also came alive as it gave the impression of a huge village Mela with 'horse and camel dance' adding to the thrills of the festival.
Khalsa College Governing Council honourary secretary Rajinder Mohan Singh who was the chief guest at the occasion said the aim of organizing such festivals is to connect the younger generation to the traditions of Punjab. “The Mela provides a glimpse of the whole composite cultural heritage. There are many cultural practices which are going extinct now. It is good that we are making the youth aware of our rich heritage and they become aware of their past”, said Chhina.
Principal Dr. Mehal Singh said they wanted to provide the students an opportunity to witness rich Punjabi traditions. He said this also provides opportunities to the students to compete in cultural shows and connect with the rich cultural heritage. The dignitaries rode a 'Tonga' to enter the Mela, giving new tinge to the celebrations of Vaisakhi.
The top Punjab theatre personality Jatinder Singh Brar and Punjabi film industry Director-Producer Karaj Gill were honoured with Khalsa College Folk Award.
The students also resorted to folk singing to welcome the festival of `Vaisakhi’ which is associated with the good times on the advent of harvesting season in the state of Punjab. The beats of the Dhol continued the whole day and with . ``It is a festival of good times and as it relates to the coming of the harvesting season”, said Prof. Davinder Singh, Registrar of the College. Principals of other Khalsa institutions, senior faculty and staff were present in large number.