Vaisakhi वैशाखी (14.04.2023)
-Rohit Kumar Parmar [1]
V/Baisakhi marks the start of Vikram Samvat calendar (and the Sikh Nanakshahi calendar), the Solar New Year, on the first day of Vaisakha (वैशाख) month, and is observed as a harvest, historical, social and religious festival by Punjabis/Sikhs, in the land of five rivers (Chandigarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab), in parts of Pakistan (Punjab province); Dogri speaking areas of Jammu and Kashmir; parts of Rajasthan; Uttarkhand; and Western Uttar Pradesh.
This is one of the few festivals which falls about the same date every year. This time of the year coincides with rabi (winter crop) harvest and the Indian new year, with celebrations on 14th as V/Baisakhi, Pana Sankranti, Puthandu, Mesha Sankranti, and on 15th as Bohag/Rongali Bihu, Pohela Boishakh, and Vishu Kani. [2] It is celebrated as New Year in neighbouring countries of South/South-East Asia also, Bangladesh (Poila Boisakh), Nepal (Bikram Samvat), Pakistan (Punjab province as Baisakhi), Thailand (Songkron), Sri Lanka (Sinhalese New Year).
Rabi, the main crop (wheat) is ripe, and farmers look forward to harvest it [3] as fruits of labour. Vaisakhi welcomes the new year and harvest for the (then) largely farming community.
Vaisakhi marks significant historical events including anointment of Guru Gobind Singh as the tenth Guru of Sikhs on Vaisakhi on 29 March 1676; birth of Khalsa on March 30, 1699, when Guru Gobind Singh addressed his followers at Anandpur;
and proclamation of Ranjit Singh as Maharaja of the Sikh Empire on 12 April 1801.
On Vaisakhi day British General Reginald Dyer, committed the Jallianwala Bagh genocide or massacre, on a non-violent gathering, protesting against the colonial rule and exploitation.
Sikhs hold kirtans, visit local Gurdwaras and melas/community fairs. Kirtan processions are taken out, and people gather to socialize and share festive foods.
Sweetened Rice, Mithe Chowl, मीठे चावल, ਮਿੱਠੇ ਚੌਲ
After harvesting the wheat, ढोल (Dhols /Drums) are played and people recite Punjabi doha’s (couplets) [4].
Indian festivals are incomplete without lavish dishes like Kadhi Chawal, Mithe chowl (ਮਿੱਠੇ ਚੌਲ , sweetened rice), Seviyan, Kheer, Phirni on Vaisakhi.
Lyrics of a popular Punjabi folk song, describing an enthusiastic lady’s visit to a mela (fair) are given below:
Chan Ve Ke Shokan Mele Di [5]
Chan Ve Ke Shokan Mele Di
Chan Ve...
Chan Ve Ke Shokan Mele Di
Pair Dho Ke Jhanjra Paundi Meldi Aundi
Ke Shokan Mele Di
Chan Ve Ke Shokan Mele Di
Chan Ve...
Chan Ve Ke Shokan Mele Di
Pair Dho Ke Jhanjra Paundi Meldi Aundi
Ke Shaukan Mele Di
Chan Ve Ke Utte Lai Ke Amb Rasiya X 2
Gal Pa Basket Kaali Murabbeya Wali
Ke Shokan Oye Hoye Ke Shokan Mele Di
Chan Ve Ke Shaunkan Mele Di
Chan Ve Ke Ladduaan Da Bhaa Puchhdi X 2
Chan Chadeya Shehar Vich Saareke Chhup Gaye Taare
Ke Shokan Oye Hoye Ke Shokan Mele Di
Chan Ve Ke Shonkan Mele Di
Chan Ve Ke Ghaghraa Veeh Gajj Da X 2
Lakk Gori Da Marode Khaavepesh Na Jave
Ke Shokan Oye Hoye Ke Shokan Mele Di
Chan Ve Ke Shaokan Mele Di
Chan Ve Ke Kurti Cho Agg Simdi X 2
Ohde Laung Ch Chanan Damke Te Bijli Chamke
Ke Shokan Oye Hoye Ke Shokan Mele Di
Chan Ve Ke Shaukan Mele Di
Chan Ve Ke Raahiya Nu Raah Bhul Gaye X 2
Ohde Goreya Hatha Di Mehndi Bda Gal Paindi
Ke Shokan Oye Hoye Ke Shokan Mele Di
Chan Ve Ke Shokan Mele Di
Chan Ve...
Chan Ve Ke Shokan Mele Di
[1] Author (Free lance, IES Retd, Former Senior Economic Adviser, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Adviser UNDP, Yemen P 4) has in posts on his website (https://rohitkparmar.wixsite.com/site), YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@rohitkparmar), twitter (https://twitter.com/rohitkparmar?s=09), facebook (https://www.facebook.com/rohit.parmar.5268750/), Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit-kumar-parmar-841b4724) been writing/ sharing varied topics and can be reached at rohitkparmar@yahoo.com. [2] Write-ups on Poila Boisakh and Puthandu will be uploaded on 14/15 April, 2023. [3] Traditionally harvest commenced on Vaisakhi, however, with early sowing and early ripening variety, most of the harvest is complete by Vaisakhi. [4] Like Kabir’s famous Doha `Dukh Mein Simran’. [5] Lyrics of `Chan Ve Shaukan Mele Di’ a Popular Punjabi folk Song. One of the earliest version was sung by sisters, Parkash Kaur and Surinder Kaur. It was recorded by Doordarshan in the voice of Nightingale of Punjab Surinder Kaur and her co-vocalist Narinder Kaur.
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