Colors of Punjab

• PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

• Punjabi Culture is the culture of the Punjab region. It is one of the oldest in world history, dating from ancient antiquity to the modern era. The scope, history, sophistication and complexity of the culture are vast. Some of the main areas include: Punjabi Philosophy, poetry, spirituality, education, artistry, music, cuisine, architecture, traditions and values and history.
• Punjab derives from the Persian words Panj ( پنج ) (Five), and Āb ( آب ) (Water), i.e. (the) Five Waters .
• Punjab is Pakistan's second largest province, with about 56% of the country's total population.
• The Punjabis found in Pakistan are composed of various social groups, castes and economic groups. Muslim Rajputs, Jat, Tarkhans, Dogars, Gujjars, Gakhars, Khatri or Punjabi Sheikhs, Kambohs, and Arains.

• 3. The western Punjab was assimilated into new country of  Pakistan  while the east Punjab joined India. This led to massive rioting as both sides committed atrocities against fleeing refugees. The undivided Punjab, of which Punjab (Pakistan) forms a major region today, was home to a large minority population of  Punjabi   Sikhs  and  Hindus  unto 1947 apart from the Muslim majority. [14] At the time of independence in 1947 and due to the ensuing horrendous exchange of populations, the Punjabi Sikhs and Hindus migrated to  India . [15]  Punjabi Muslims were uprooted similarly from their homes in East Punjab which now forms part of India. [16]  Approximately 7 million plus who moved to Pakistan, over 6 million settled in Punjab. In 1947 the Punjab province of  British India  was divided along religious lines into  West Punjab  and  East Punjab . INDEPENDENCE AND FORMATION OF PUNJAB PAKISTAN

• 4. CULTURAL HERITAGE Punjab has been the cradle of civilization since times immemorial. The ruins of Harappa show an advanced urban culture that flourished over 8000 years ago. Taxila, another historic landmark also stands out as a proof of the achievements of the area in learning, arts and crafts in bygone ages.
• 5. LANGUAGES IN PUNJAB Punjabi is the most spoken language of Pakistan . Punjabi is spoken as first language by over 44.15% of Pakistanis. Punjabi's are dominant in key institutions such as business, agriculture, industry, government, army, navy, air force, and police which is why about 70% of Pakistanis can understand or speak Punjabi. Major Punjabi dialects are Pothwari, Pahari, Hindko, Maji, Seraiki, Potohatri, Dhanni and Rachnivi.

• 6.
• ARCHITECTURE OF PUNJAB
• Pakistan’s architecture is a feast for the eyes. The breathtaking architecture includes:
• Taxila is an archaeological site including buildings, fortifications, settlements and monasteries, showing architectural influences.
• Epitomizing the beauty, passion and grandeur of the Mughal era, Lahore's Badshahi mosque is a famous landmark and a major tourist attraction.
• Wazir Khan Mosque has been described as ' a mole on the cheek of Lahore'. Masjid Wazīr Khān) in Lahore, Pakistan, is famous for its extensive faience tile work.
• The Lahore Fort, Mochi Gate, Minar-e-Pakistan, Bhong Mosque and Katasraj Mandir are various other architectural attractions of Punjab, Pakistan, Sialkot and Faisalabad clock tower.

• 7. EDUCATION IN PUNJAB The literacy rate has increased greatly since independence. Punjab has the highest Human Development Index out of all of Pakistan's provinces. Year Literacy Rate 1972 - 20.7% 1981 - 27.4% 1998 - 46.56% 2008 - 79.7%

• 8. DRESSES OF PUNJAB Costumes of Punjab are indicative of the bright and vibrant culture and lifestyle of the people. The costumes are a mix of colour, comfort and beauty. It may be noted here that the state of Punjab is well known for the use of phulkari in its costumes. Other commonnly worn clothes by people in Punjab are pagri, dhoti, lacha, kurta, khusa, gharara, paranda, choli and shalwar kameez.

• 9. PUNJABI CUSINES One of the main features of Punjabi cuisine is its diverse range of dishes. There are certain dishes which are exclusive to Punjab, such as Makay di roti and Saron Da Saag. The main spices in a Punjabi dish consists of onion, garlic and ginger. Typical Punjabi foods include Lahori Pulao, Chicken Karahi, Kaju Aloo, Sarso Ka Saag, Archari Bhindi, Aloo Ghost, Paya, Gol Gappay, Special Punjabi Salad, Murgh Channa, Khusra kabab, Tilmilli Tali Machli, Lassi, Jalebi, Habshi Halwa, Rasgoole, Gajrela, Sohan Halwa, Kulfi, Lauqi ka halwa, Pherni, Kheer, Moti Chur ke Ladoo and many more. Wheat is the staple food of Punjabis; however, they do enjoy eating rice on festivities and other special occasions. The philosophy of life for most of the Punjabis is to eat, drink and make merry.

• 10.
• ART
• The crafts in the Punjab are of two types: the crafts produced in the rural areas and the royal crafts that flourished in the urban centre particularly in Lahore.
• The former include cotton textiles, basketry, embroidery etc. while the latter are tile and woodwork skills, ivory, silver and gold work, naqqashi and architectural crafts.
• Lahore is the centre of hand-made carpets.
• The hand-woven cotton cloth like khaddar of Kamalia, are popular.
• The cloth woven on handlooms is either block printed or beautifully embroidered.
• Multan is famous for beautiful hand-woven bed covers.

• CRAFTS Crafts of Punjab include: women woven Pidhis (low, four legged woven stools), which are both functional and artistic, leather jootis crafted from leather of different shades. Women weave durries (a pile less cotton spread, which can be used on a bed or on the floor). Phulkaris (cloth) are major craft generally in red or maroon color and the thread employed in the close embroidery is made of silk in gold, yellow, crimson red, blue and green colors. Mud works, weaving, embroidery, wood works, folk toy making, parandis and miscellaneous crafts are also included.

• LITERATURE OF PUNJAB
• Punjabi Poetry is renowned for its extremely deep meaning, beautiful, exciting and hopeful use of words. The large number of Punjabi poetry works are being translated throughout the world into many languages.
• Some of our famous poets are:
• Waris Shah’s contribution to Punjabi literature is best-known for his seminal work in Heer Ranjha,
• Shakespeare of Punjabi language.
• Bulleh Shah was a Punjabi Sufi poet, a humanist and philosopher.The verse from Bulleh Shah primarily employed is called the Kafi, a style of Punjabi.

• 12. DANCES OF PUNJAB Due to the long history of the Punjabi culture and of the Punjabi people, there is a large number of dances. These dances are normally performed at times of celebration. These dances are normally performed at times of celebration the most prominent being at Punjabi weddings, where the elation is usually particularly intense. The overall style can range from very high energy to more reserved, however the common elements make it particularly attractive to the viewers. Punjabi dances are designed for either men or women. Common female Punjabi dances are: Sammi, Giddha, Jaago, Kikli and Luddi. Common male Punjabi dances are: Bhangra, Malwai, Giddha, Jhumar, Luddi, Julli, Dankara and Dhumal.

• 13. WEDDING TRADITIONS OF PUNJAB Punjabi culture is rich with rituals!!! The pre-wedding rituals include mangni, dohlki, mehndi and ubtan. The wedding process includes sarbala, sehrabandi, nikah and juta chupai. The Dhol (Balle Balle and Bhangra) is an obvious part of Punjabi weddings.

• 14. FOLKLORE OF PUNJAB Heer Ranjha is one of the four popular tragic romances of the Punjab. There are several poetic narrations of the story, the most famous being 'Heer' by Waris Shah written in 1766. It tells the story of the love of Heer and her lover Ranjha. The other three are Mirza Sahiba (tragic romance) , Sassi Punnun and Sohni Mahiwal. These stories are one of the most prominent examples of medieval poetic legends in the Punjab.

• 15. PUNJABI MUSIC Classical music forms are an important part of the cultural wealth of the Punjab. The Muslim musicians have contributed a large number of ragas to the repository of classical music. The most common instruments used are the Tabla, Sitar, Bansuri and Harmonium. Dhol is the major musical instrument of Punjab. For the popular taste however, light music, particularly Ghazals and folk songs, which have an appeal of their own, the names of Mehdi Hasan, Ghulam Ali, Nur Jehan, Malika Pukhraj, Farida Khanum, Roshen Ara Begum, and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan are well-known.

• 16. FAIRS AND FESTIVALS OF PUNJAB The fairs and festivals of Punjab reflect the entire gamut of its folk life and cultural traditions. These mainly fall in following categories. The fairs held at the shrines of  Sufi  saints are called  urs . They generally mark the death anniversary of the saint. . The most important urs are: urs of Data  Ganj Buksh  , Hazrat  Sultan Bahu , Hazrat  Shah Jewna , Hazrat  Mian Mir ,  Baba Farid  Ganj Shakar and many more. Punjabis celebrate seasonal and harvest festivals which include  Lohri , Basant ,  Baisakhi  and  Teej . Others include Basant, Lok Mela, National Horse and Cattle Show, Defence Day parade, Mela Chiraghan