‘Teeyan’ celebrations mark arrival of monsoon

Tribune News Service

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Amritsar, July 18

Singing traditional ‘bolian’ on beats of dhol and dancing the evening away, women artistes celebrated the festival of ‘Teeyan’ at the art gallery here on Sunday. A trademark welcome to the monsoon season, ‘Teeyan’ is celebrated across Punjab and Haryana (where it is called Teej).

Women enjoyed swing rides, savoured monsoon delicacies and shared some hearty laughs. The auditorium at the art gallery was packed to its capacity and beaming with colours.

Folk singer Gurmeet Bawa, who was also the chief guest, shared the stage with performers as she belted out some folk Punjabi numbers to celebrate the occasion.

“Teeyan is as significant as earlier. Wives used to celebrate the festival at their paternal home, while their husbands were away for work. They used to sing, dance and enjoy themselves, while praying for their husband’s safe return to home. Today, in the times of changing world and globalisation, it is important that we pass on these traditions to our youngsters,” she said.

Indian Academy of Fine Arts’s president RMS Chinna presided over the event. Sarvjit Brar, Sukhbir Kaur Mahal and Dr Gurpreet Kaur were the guests of honour.

Tajinder Chhina, Sukhpreet Kaur and Arvinder Singh Chamak managed the show. Anchal Arora entertained the audience with her comments, couplets, songs and dances. Latika Arora enthralled the gathering with her voice and choreography.

Folk performances by artistes Tejinder Ada, Mona Chamak, Balvinder Grover, Rekha Mahajan, Shurti and a special performance by Supnandan, a PCS officer and budding singer, were the highlights of the show.

Meanwhile, in a celebration of a different kind, women volunteers of Mission Aghaaz gathered at Company Bagh and celebrated ‘Teeyan’ by planting saplings. The group also distributed saplings among walkers and bystanders while encouraging them to plant and save ecology.

“Teeyan festival marks the beginning of rainy season, which helps mother nature recover its lost greenery. It is the best possible way to celebrate the festival that marks the beginning of monsoons,” said Sunita Kapoor, one of the women volunteers.