Basant A Lost Festival Of Lahore English Literature Essay

Basant A Lost Festival Of Lahore English Literature Essay Basant, an event that marks the coming of spring, an event that would bring together people from all walks of life, an event that would cover the sky with colors, an event that would spread happiness ubiquitously. It was celebrated with a lot of vigor, passion and enthusiasm in Punjab, but unfortunately this vibrant and full of cheerfulness festival is becoming more of an historic event due to some unwise acts on part of illiterate, ignorant and reckless citizens. The ignorance of few has snatched away the happiness of million others and deprived the country of a great cultural festival. Basant is a centuries old cultural tradition of Punjab. Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs, all alike, celebrated it with great joy and gusto. Yellow is the color of the day as it depicts the blossoming spring flowers and the yellow mustard fields of Punjab. Girls would wear yellow saris and dupattas whereas boys would include yellow turbans in their clothing. There are no barriers of religions or different socio-economic class; everyone would get together and praise the day. Girls would get on the swings and sing the customary Basant songs that reflected the liveliness and romance of life in Punjab. Kite-flying was one of the main activities on the day and there would be competitions among people to cut loose others’ kites. There cant be a better place to celebrate this day than the cultural and historic capital of Punjab, Lahore. It is also known as extremely festive and the most happening city of Pakistan. During the February of almost every year the sky above Lahore is filled with colorful kites during daytime and with white kites at night. Words like Booo Kata, Patang, Pecha, Pinna and Charkhi can be heard almost everywhere. Music and dance is everywhere and the air is filled with the aroma of intoxicating traditional food. Everyone is involved in this festival and all enjoy the spectacle of hundreds of multi-colored kites filling the sky above their beloved city of Lahore heralding the coming of a new spring. In the early days Basant was confined to the old-walled city, however over recent past it has spread to far corners of the city as well. People from different places celebrate this day in their unique style; some do it by flying kites while others get together and enjoy traditional food and bhangra music. While I was researching about Basant in Gwalmandi (area near old food street), I interviewed this young lad about the age of 15. I asked him what do you know about basant. He replied..† jab hum patangein uratay hein..† (the day when we fly kites). When I asked him about his preparations for that day, I was surprised to hear about his passion. He told me that he would start saving money from his pocket money 2-3 months before Basant. He would use those savings to buy kites and strings and collect them until the day of Basant. It is celebrated with great joy in Lahore, as Daily Times states: