he Capital is well-versed with the multiple facets of Punjabi culture, music, craft and food that influence trends and the way of life here.
But, there are aspects of rural life in Punjab that seem to be losing significance in the urban scenario. To revive these elements that are synonymous with Punjab, and to celebrate the spirit of its people, Concept 1469 and art historian Alka Pande have come together to organise the third edition of ‘Mela Phulkari: Threads of Punjab’.
The show at the Open Palm Court, India Habitat Centre, has been put together by Kirandeep Kaur and Harinder Singh of Concept 1469, along with Dr. Pande, who collaborated with artists, designers, photographers and craftsmen.
Speaking about the event, curator Alka Pande says: “Mela Phulkari is a concept that celebrates the creative energy of Punjab. It has particular focus on the craft traditions, which reveal the gender identity and politics of the women of Punjab.”
“The idea is to take the brand of Phulkari to another level. The socio-cultural fabric of the State, the vibrancy, the myths and legends, stories of women, and the complexity of a woman’s dreams in rural Punjab — which are being transformed through the rapid economics of development — are on display,” Ms. Pande added.
The third edition of Mela Phulkari seeks to showcase the vivid daily life through installations that offer a contemporary peek into the rurally glamorous State.
The cultural extravaganza will also host a series of book releases, talks, performances and demonstrations throughout the week to bring to life the Punjabi lifestyle.
Embroidery traditions of Punjab are brought alive by textile designer and artist Gopika Nath’s “A Song on their Lips and a Needle to Thread” through a photo collage, while “Khulla Sher: Sangrur Futures: Woman embroiderers of Building Bridges, Sangrur” by Rupinder Kaur, Rajvinder Kaur, Kiranpal Kaur, Veerpal Kaur, Sandeep Kaur and team — as part of an ongoing initiative by Concept 1469, showcases how they have empowered rural women in Punjab through livelihood projects. These women have exhibited their embroidery skills by filling an outline of the “Make in India” lion with patches of interpretations on what Punjab means to them.
Photographer Bandeep Singh, meanwhile, has on display a photograph shot of women at work in Sangrur, creating a colourful Phulkari.
Harinder Singh, Creative Director 1469, says Mela Phulkari is an experience which identifies, accepts and critiques Punjab’s past and the current socio-cultural stories.
Among the installations on display are “Guddi Da Panghuda” by Gunroop Kaur, Mallika Singh and Vikram Singh that is symbolic of a girl’s journey into womanhood, and the challenges she faces to stop female infanticide.
“Jugni - Havaa Di Udaari” by Meghna Chowdhary, Srishty Bahl, Sushmita Mandal and Mansi Sharma speaks of the cheerful nature of young girls and their desire for freedom and joy.
“Laddoo Rani di Gaddi” is an installation by Chesta Nagar, Irum Khan, Neha Singla, Pranvi Kapoora and Shubhangi Chowdhary that incorporates the flavour of rural Punjab with a twist of modernity and a focus on female education, while “Trinjan Tambu” by Harinder Singh, Amrita Mahindra and Simran Kharbanda compares the patchwork Phulkari tent structure to aspects of daily life in Punjab. “Gadh jorh” by Harinder Singh presents traditional songs mentioned with hashtags as a tribute to Punjab’s singers.
The mela will be on till April 17 between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. at the India Habitat Center. A special event is slated for April 16 with film-maker Imtiaz Ali scheduled to talk about Mela Phulkari through his cinema, besides traditional performers from the hinterland of Punjab.
Mela Phulkari is a concept that celebrates the creative energy of Punjab. It has particular focus on the craft traditions
Alka Pande
Art historian
