Punjab
How Sutlej river is bearing the brunt of climate change
As this year's monsoon in Punjab wreaked havoc in Himachal Pradesh and neighbouring states like Punjab and Rajasthan, the Sutlej river emerged as a central character in this narrative of devastation.
Former bonded labourers champion justice in Punjab
In the heartland of Punjab, people who once endured the shackles of debt and bondage now dedicate their lives to freeing others.
Punjab’s daughters revive its cotton weaving tradition
In a remarkable resurgence, 27 women, guided by Rupsi Garg and supported by her Trinjan project, rekindle Punjab’s fading art of spinning and weaving cotton products, gaining financial independence and a deep sense of happiness.
Glittering Punjabi juttis hide grim story of shoemakers
Colourful and vibrant Punjabi footwear is known worldwide, but its makers are struggling to make a decent living.
Making of Punjabi Jutti
Punjab is well known for its juttis – footwear made of leather. In the southern region of the state, called Malwa, districts such as Patiala, Fazilka and Sri Muktsar Sahib are among the manufacturers of the footwear – the last one being the most famous.
Punjab women weave ‘rug’ to riches story
Once a part of every Punjab household, durries (rugs) and khes (thick bedspreads) have been pushed out of use by machine-made furnishings. A brand born in a village is now reviving these traditional handloom products.
This paralympian battled odds to smash records
At 18, Palak Kohli became the youngest para-athlete to compete in 2021 Tokyo Paralympics. Kohli and her badminton coach Gaurav Khanna talk about her battles and emphasise that society’s attitude needs to change towards people with disabilities.
College-going dalit students teach children of their community
Free classes are held every evening in two villages of Punjab under an initiative to help children from poor families with their studies.
‘We brought Shakespeare to Punjab stage’
As a class X student in Amritsar, Rajinder Singh started Dastak, a theatre group, in 1996 because he could not access theatre training due to lack of resources. We speak to him about his fascinating storytelling journey.
Male dancer takes Punjab giddha stage by storm
Noor Zora – born as Zorawar Sigh - is hugely popular despite being a man who dresses up as a female to perform the women-only folk dance
Festival of colour and courage – Hola Mohalla 2023
Color and courage are on display in Punjab at the annual three-day Sikh festival, Hola Mohalla. Celebrated at the religious site of Anandpur Sahib, the festival coincides with the Hindu festival of Holi.
Punjab’s tumbi set to stage comeback and tug hearts
A revival for the somewhat out-of-fashion folk instrument tumbi seems to be on the cards with stars like Diljit Dosanjh taking to it.
Playback time for Punjab’s tumbi
Tumbi - Punjab's favourite music instrument was an integral part of Punjabi folk music. Created from tumba (a similar bigger instrument) post partition by Lal Chand Yamla, tumbi has traversed a long journey. After the introduction of electronic music, tumbi's craze declined. Two men in Punjab, Vijay Yamla and Jai Ram, are doing their bit to keep this traditional music instrument alive in the hearts of people. While Jai Ram is among the few craftsmen left in Punjab who continues to make tumbi, Vijay Yamla (grandson of Lal Chand Yamla or Yamla Jatt) is fusing its tunkar with electronic music to appeal to the younger audience.
How joint farming in Punjab is allowing Dalits to rewrite their destiny
Besides profits, Dalits in 28 villages of Malwa region in Punjab reap pride in jointly cultivating land that rich farmers mostly cultivated in their name earlier.
Everyday struggles of a widow in Punjab
Life for Kulwinder Kaur of Pathan Nangal village in Amritsar district of Punjab, has never been easy. Widowed early, bringing up children on her own, looking for firewood and doing all sorts of jobs to run her family – her life is a grim reminder of the everyday struggles of many in rural India.
In pics: ‘Jesus da langar’ at a Punjab village
At a village in Amritsar, Punjab, Christmas day means appetizing meals, selfless service, dancing and a lot of fun. This unique Christmas celebration represents the true multicultural India, where everyone comes together regardless of their religion, caste and class to celebrate festivals.