From phulkari to parandas: Youth fest brings alive state’s folk heritage

Infusing new life into the essence of the state’s glorious heritage, students from around 24 colleges, affiliated with Panjab University, Chandigarh, are taking part in the zonal and heritage festival being held at SCD Government College here. The four-day event is abuzz with colour, creativity and culture as participants showcase the forgotten traditions of Punjab through various competitions.

Students are enthusiastically taking part in activities depicting the state’s rich cultural legacy, including nala-making, paranda-making, gudiya-patole, phulkari, bagh, dasutti, crochet, chikku and tokri-making.

Khushi, a student of Government College for Girls, Ludhiana, who participated in the phulkari-making competition, said, “Nobody in my family makes phulkari, but this form of embroidery has always fascinated me. I started learning it on my own when I was about nine years old. This is the true culture of Punjab, and I love adding vibrant colours to it.” Around 12–15 participants took part in phulkari and bagh-making competitions.

The college girls were also seen creating traditional crafts once popular among rural women of Punjab, including nala, paranda, chikku and tokri.

Beautiful gudiya-patole (traditional dolls) made by stuffing cotton and shaping the doll’s face creatively also drew attention of the audience. Asha, another participant, recalled, “During my visits to the village, I saw my grandmother’s neighbours making these dolls. These looked so attractive, I wanted to learn the art of making these myself. What started as a hobby has now brought me here to participate in the festival.”

“The youth festivals provide a perfect platform for students to showcase their hidden talents and mingle with others. Besides winning prizes, they gain exposure to our traditional art forms,” said Saurabh, a faculty member at SCD Government College.

The four-day zonal youth festival concludes tomorrow.