By D.C. Sharma
Gone are the days when “sageiphulls” (women’s head ornaments), “‘mohars”” (women’s neck omaments), and “kainthas” (men’ neck omaments) were very common in rural Punjab, Such omaments not only served the purpose ‘of wearing and decoration but also acted as a cash property of the family. “Kainthas” used to be single as well as double. The bridegrooms were offered “kainthas’ in dowry. The father-in-law offering the double “kaintha” was considered to be rich and liberal.
Not only women, even men would wear earrings those days. Such rings were known as “murkies” and “munders”’. Ranjha’s earrings still symbolize the culture of the then rural Punjab. But his earrings were not of gold as he had turned into a yogi. That is why it is often sung: “Ranjha yogi ho gaya, Kani mundran payiyan (Ranjha has become a yogi as he has wom the carrings of the as‘Cetics).
Even the “clips” which the women used in order to dress their tresses with great pride, are losing their charm and attraction today. The once favorite song of rural Punjab too is rarely sung now: Toni eaionie hind kadabal Nanga rakhdi klip wala passa. _ (Though she covers her face with her veil not to let it be seen by the elder brother of her husband, yet she keeps her clipped hair well ‘exposed to him). Those days the bride would bring a “sandook” full of quilts and clothes as dowry. The “sandook” used to be artistically made with intricate yet attractive designs. The best wood was used along with iron plates to make the “sandook”’ not only strong but beautiful as well. Such a sandook” not only served as an almirah but also as a tijjori” for the house wife who was considered to be the cashier of the house, Though only mothers-in-law would keep the keys of the family “sandook”, sometimes even the elder daughter of the house would act as the cash in charge. ‘That is why it is sung:” Ah lei mai saambh kunjiyan, Dhiyan kar challiyan sardari…” to dear mother, just take back yourkeys of the family cash, your daughter had enjoyed the full reigns till today).
Another song used to be sung ns a satire, when the ‘“doli” of the daughter would part: “Veera ve murtbei walya.
Bhain challiya sandookon khalee Pity, o landlord brother, yourdear sister is going without a sandook as a parting gift from you, today).
Those were the days when the bride would never face the elder male members of her inlaws unless her head and face were well covered with her “dupatta”. She wouldn’t dare talk to them. She would touch the feet of the elders before taking even a simple cup of tea in the morning. But today’s bride finds no sanctity behind such manners and etiquettes. Now she faces them with an unveiled face, even bare headed India is free today. But are we really free and independent? Are we not mentally slaves to the western culture? Have we not crushed our valuable art and culture of which Punjab was once proud?
Article extracted from this publication >> November 25, 1994
