Punjabi music, culture in traditional mela setting

Pop singer Jasbir Jassi and Pakistani classical singer Shafqat Amanat Ali are among the mellifluous voices set to herald a Punjabi festival beginning here from April 25.
A three-day "Punjabi Mela" is being presented by Punjabi Academy and Delhi government's art, culture and languages department, as part of celebrations of Baisakhi, the harvest festival in Punjab.
The list of participating musicians include Jasbir Jassi, Gurmeet Bawa, Lachi Bawa and Glory Bawa, Shafaq Amanat Ali and Pammi Bai (Paramjit Singh Sidhu), Lakhwinder Wadali and Mamta Joshia.
The festival would also feature display and sale of traditional Punjabi artefacts such as -- Phulkari, Jutti, Nate-parande, bangles, wooden furniture and inlay items.

A Punjabi food Plaza and cultural events - Gatka, Bazi, Dhadi, Naqal, Gidha and Bhangra will also be featured, organisers said.
"Punjabi culture is much more than bhangra, pop and sarson da saag. It's a rich tradition, many of whose components are today slipping into oblivion. Through this festival, we will create the atmosphere of a Punjabi village in a traditional mela-like setting where all the traditional arts of Punjab will be displayed and sold," Jawahar Dhawan, Secretary, Punjabi Academy said.

"Punjab's vibrant culture, its rich cuisine and soulful music, has always attracted people. We hope to keep alive many of these traditions through such festival," he said.

While Gurmeet Bawa, Lachi and Glory Bawa and Jasbir Jassi would perform on the first day, the second day would feature Paramjit Sidhu and Shafqat Amanat Ali and the last evening of the festivities would feature Mamta Joshi and Lakhwinder Wadali.
The event is scheduled to be held at the lawn of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts here.