Bhangra tunes, Gidda beats, bonfire, puffed rice, peanuts, rewadi, ghajak, popcorns, sarson da saag, makki di roti and jaggery. Sounds familiar? Come Lohri, the festival of harvest and there are celebrations all over the city. Primarily a Punjabi festival, Lohri is celebrated all over the country and in some parts of the world with fervour.
Keeping its tradition of celebrating Lohri each year, India Habitat Centre this time will mark Lohri with utter keenness and enthusiasm. Along with the traditional way of celebrating Lohri, various international artists along with Indian musicians will perform at India Habitat Centre. Band Chaar Yaar which comprises of four members namely Madan Gopal Singh, ace guitarist and banjo player Deepak Castelino, young and soulful sarod player Pritam Ghosal and the energetic multiple percussionist Gurmeet Singh. The band is quite popular across the world. Their style is varied as they blend music with poetry. At the festival you will also see international guitarists performing like Timothy Hill and Joel Bluestein. Acclaimed singer Jaspreet Jassi will also be singing at the event.
Sunder mundriye ho! Tera kaun vicaharaa ho! Dullah bhatti walla ho! Dullhe di dhee vyayae ho! Ser shakkar payee ho! Kudi da laal pathaka ho! Kudi da saalu paatta ho! Salu kaun samete! Chache choori kutti! zamidara lutti! Zamindaar sudhaye! bade bhole aaye! Ek bhola reh gaya! Sipahee far ke lai gaya! Sipahee ne mari eet! Sanoo de de lohri te teri jeeve jodi! Bhaanvey ro te bhaanvey pit!
Translation : Oh Sunder and munder Who will think about you He is Dulla Bhatti Dulla’s daughter got married He gave 1 kg sugar! The girl is wearing a red suit! But her shawl is torn! Who will stitch her shawl?! The uncle made choori! The landlords looted it! Landlords are beaten up then! Lots of innocent guys came to save One innocent boy got left behind The police arrested him! The policeman hit him with a brick! Give us lohri ..long live your couple! Whether you cry, or bang your head later!
At Lohri this song is sung as a gratitude to Dulla Bhatti who used to live in Punjab during the reign of Emperor Akbar. He can be rightly called the Punjabi avatar of Robinhood as he saved many young girls which were kidnapped to forcibly marry Muslim boys. It is nice to know that Dulla Bhatti became a saviour for these young girls and married them off with Hindu boys with Hindu rituals. This folk-legend is quite popular among the people of Punjab.
At Lohri this song is sung as a gratitude to Dulla Bhatti who used to live in Punjab during the reign of Emperor Akbar. He can be rightly called the Punjabi avatar of Robin Hood as he saved many young girls who were kidnapped to forcibly marry Muslim boys. Dulla Bhatti became a saviour for these young girls and married them off with Hindu boys with Hindu rituals.
Lohri and the songs associated with it give us a beat, a thump in the heart. The festival brings us close to our community, our people in this fast paced life. Therefore it becomes natural for people to look forward to festivity. Celebrated all across in the northern states of India, this harvest festival marks the end of winter solstice. With the performance of bands, food stalls and bonfire, it seems to have a fun-filled evening at IHC. Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Vidyun Singh, Director – Programmes, Old World Hospitality, IHC said, “Our Lohri celebrations began as an effort to fill a vacuum of a traditional celebration that was fast vanishing in the urban cityscape. It is extremely satisfying to see how it has grown from strength to strength with each passing year. We are glad that the festival has become one of the most awaited events in the city’s cultural calendar.”
Worry not, if you cannot make it to the India Habtat Centre there is another venue you can check in which is the property of IHC. The Epicentre at Gurgaon is also hosting Lohri Festival at the same time. There will be an evening of folk & popular music by Satnam Chann, & his Bhangra Troupe, along with Traditional Bonfire & Sumptuous Punjabi Delicacies.
Here you can also sway to the beats of Sundar Mundriye, Dama Dum Mast Kalandar, Saanu Ek Pal Chain Na Aave, Charkhe Di Kook, Ghoomm Charakhda. Make the gastronome in you come alive as you relish authentic punjabi delicacies including Paneer Choliya Di Dal, Keema Chakundari, Sarson Da Saag, Mah Chole Di Dal, Dhabe Ka Kukkad, Amritsari Machhi, Ganne Di Kheer.
Walk in at either of the venues as the sun sets and immerse yourself in the merriment.
Date: 13th January, 2016
Timings: 7:30 pm onwards
Venue: The Hub, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi
Entry: Free
Date: 13th January, 2016
Timings : 7:00 pm onwards
Venue: Epicentre at Apparel House, Sector 44, Gurgaon
Entry : Rs. 250/-(Rs. 100 to be redeemed against F&B)