New Delhi : From Punjabi ‘lassi’ to the words of ‘Jugni’, it turned out to be three days full of vibrancy, color, cuisine and music as Delhiites reveled in the richness of Punjabi culture and spirit at the Punjabi Mela.

The festival that started on April 12, wrapped up with heart winning performances by Punjabi singer and song writer Debi Maksoodpuri and Pakistani Punjabi folk artist Arif Lohar, of ‘Jugni’ fame.

For the lovers of the Punjabi culture, it was the best assembly of food, tradition and music as the vibrancy of the land of the five rivers was on full display at the Indira Gandhi National Center for Arts (IGNCA).

The celebration saw all the facets of Punjabi culture highlighted and displayed, right from the rich cuisine of the land and its famous ‘Makki di Roti’ and ‘Sarson da Saag’ to its rich working arts like ‘Phulkari’ and wood work.

While the days were full of food and feast, the nights were brought alive by riveting performances of Punjabi singers like Paramjit Sidhu, Satinder Sartaj, Nooran sisters and Wadali brothers.

Organized by Delhi government’s Punjabi Academy, the cultural carnival presented a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the land.

The event aimed to exhibit and promote the dying ethnic traditions of Punjab through a setting of the traditional ‘mela’ of a Punjabi village where all cultural traditions meet and grow.

To make it look real, an aura of  a typical Punjabi Mela was recreated, with the display of Punjabi instruments like the fast-slipping-into-oblivion ‘charkha’ or the spinning wheel, the art of knitting, popularly known as ‘Phulkari’, the making of ‘lassi’ and the playing of old musical instruments like ‘Been’, ‘Algoza’ and ‘Rabab’.

Stalls in the traditional Punjabi bazaar pattern selling Punjabi ‘Juttis’, ‘Phulkaris’, ‘Naale-Prandey’ and wooden goods dotted the IGNCA grounds replicating a typical Punjabi village setting wooed the visitors.

“Punjab’s vibrant culture, its rich cuisine and soulful music, has always attracted people. It is full of love and life. We are very happy that through this festival we not only highlighted the culture of the state but also promoted the dying traditions of the land,” said Mr. Rawail Singh, Secretary, Punjabi Academy.