Bhatinda: In this age of modernisation, villages in Punjab have undergone a sea change. People have adopted different lifestyles and there has been a vast change in farming techniques.

This process of transformation has made people forget their rich heritage.

But a local body in Bhatinda called `Malwa Heritage Foundation' has decided not to let the centuries old tradition of the State vanish.

It is making all possible efforts to revive the ancient folk art and culture of Punjab. The recently organised `Virasat Mela' in Jaipal Garh village was one of those efforts.

At Nambardar's courtyard

Organised at `Nambardaran di Haveli' (Nambardars' Courtyard) in the village, the mela portrays a typical rural lifestyle of the State.

It showcases traditional activities like people weaving rope, women spinning wheel and grinding wheat on stone and such other activities. It also stages march of elephants, horses and camels.

"If I get a chance, I hope to establish a real village in Bhatinda depicting the tradition and culture of ancient Punjab. The village which will be unique in itself showcasing charkha (spinning wheel), chakki (grinding stone), kolhu (cane crusher) and all that it takes to link up to the heritage of Punjab," says Harinder Singh Khalsa, a member of Malwa Heritage Foundation.

The three-day extravaganza has been organised twice so far. For visitors, every nook and corner of the fair is a centre of attraction.

It gives the youngsters an opportunity to learn their rich traditions and typical rural lifestyle.

Special attractions

"I read about it. Here I personally saw the courtyard well, old vessels, farming equipments and a lot more," says Malkit Malhotra, a visitor.

The fair also has a special attraction for food lovers. One can taste fresh `sarson da saag' and `makki di roti' at `Chachi Atro de rasoi'. This delicacy is served with `Chatti di Lassi' and `gur'.

"All this is very much appreciated as such fairs showcase our rich cultural heritage. The arrangements of traditional food like `karhi-chawal' and `sarson da saag' and makki di roti' is far better than fast food. Such fairs should be organised on a larger scale,'' says Ankit Talwar, another visitor.

`Malwa Heritage Foundation' feels that the customs and the traditions of Punjab reflect the glorious past of the State and it is very important to keep them alive and preserve them for generations to follow. -- ANI

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