LOHRI
Lohri is a popular winter folk festival celebrated primarily in the former/erstwhile state of Punjab (Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, and Western UP), including in parts of Pakistani Punjab.
rohitkparmar@yahoo.com The festival’s origin can be traced back to the tales of Dulla Bhatti, who led a rebellion against Mughal emperor Akbar. Not only did he rob the rich, but also rescued poor Punjabi girls who were forcibly taken to be sold in a slave market. His valour is reflected in the most popular song `सुंदर मुंदरिए - हो’ as `दुल्ला भट्टी वाला-हो’
The word Lohri is derived from two words til (sesame) and rorhi (jaggery), which are traditionally eaten during the festival. The terms til and rorhi together used to sound like 'tilohri' earlier in history, gradually changing to ‘Lohri’.
Lohri symbolising fertility is also considered auspicious especially for newlywed couples and parents with newborn babies, with `Pahli Lohri hai, ` पहिली लोहड़ी है. ’ People greet each other as `Lohri Di Lakh Lakh Vadiyan’. `लोहड़ी दी लाख लाख वदियाँ ’ Lohri marks the traditional welcome of longer days and the sun's journey to the northern hemisphere. It marks the passing of the winter solstice (the longest night of the year) and commencement of the waning of winter.
Lohri is observed the night before Makar Sankranti also known as Maghi, and according to the lunisolar Vikram Calendar, falls in the month of Paush, the first month. It is one of the few festivals which falls about the same date every year (January 13).
Village folk gather around large, common bonfires to celebrate the passing of the winter solstice, which is a sign of assimilation of all sections of the society. They enjoy the warmth of burning logs of wood. The fire is lit with the adding of sesame (til), gur and jaggery, groundnut, (and products made from the them gajak, rewri, patti, laddo) and popcorn as offering, followed by dance and singing around the fire. People mix and exchange the same (til and gur and related products) with friends. Flames of the bonfire lit on the day of Lohri carry the messages and prayers of the people to the sun god to bring warmth to the planet to help crops grow.
Around the bonfire there is Dhol (two sided drum) and Bhangra dance.
Rabi crop (the main crop) is getting ready for harvest as farmers look forward to a new season. Once the fire dies out, dinner includes favourites like makki di roti te sarson da saag (pancakes made of stone ground corn flour and mustard spinach dishes) and lassi (buttermilk). It also includes some/all the traditional Punjabi menu til ki barfi, gur ki roti, makhane ki kheer, panjiri, pinni, till laddoo, gondh ladoo and more.
The most popular song on lohri sung from a few days before, while seeking contributions for celebrating lohri is Sunder mundriye ho!
Sunder mundriye ho
सुंदर मुंदरिए - हो
तेरा कौन विचारा-हो
दुल्ला भट्टी वाला-हो
दुल्ले ने धी ब्याही-हो
सेर शक्कर पाई-हो
कुडी दे बोझे पाई-हो
कुड़ी दा लाल पटाका-हो
कुड़ी दा शालू पाटा-हो
शालू कौन समेटे-हो
चाचा गाली देसे-हो
चाचे चूरी कुट्टी-हो
जिमींदारां लुट्टी-हो
जिमींदारा सदाए-हो
गिन-गिन पोले लाए-हो
बड़े भोले आये हो
इक पोला घिस गया हो
जिमींदार वोट्टी लै के नस्स गया हो
Sundar mundriye ho Tera kaun vicharaa ho
Dulla bhatti wala ho
Dulle di dhee vyayae ho
Ser shakkar payee ho
Kudi de bojhe paai ho
Kudi da laal pathaka ho
Kudi da saalu paatta ho
Salu kaun samete
chacha gaali desa ho
Chache choori kutti ho
zamidara lutti ho
Zamindaar sudhaye ho
Gin gin pole laaye ho
Bade bhole aaye ho
Ek ghis gaya reh gaya ho
Zamindaar votti leke nass gaya ho
Beautiful beautiful (girl) - ho
Tera kaun vichhara-ho
Dulla bhatti wala-ho
Groom married
Ser Sugar Pie-Ho
Kudi de boze pai-ho
Kudi da lal pataka-ho
Kudi da shalu pata-ho
Shalu kaun samte ho
Uncle cheek de des-ho
Chache kuri kutti ho
Zamindaran lutti-ho
Zamindara sada-ho
Counting Polle Lae-Ho
You are very innocent
I have worn out
Zamindar Votti Lai Ke Nass Gaya Gaya
At this time of the year there are celebrations for Makar Sankranti, Bhogi, Pongal, Bihu, Uttarayan symbolising unity in diversity and not a homogenous formation of one-size-fits all.
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