Basant In Lahore: Culture, Identity And The Debate Over Revival |
Pakistani Muslim society is often characterised as conservative and rigid regarding religious practices. Nevertheless, a lesser-known dimension of this society centres on cultural and traditional rituals that are not directly shaped by religious doctrine.
Notable traditional Punjabi sports include kabbadi, a dynamic contact sport emphasising strength and agility; wrestling; kite flying; wrist holding; cards; and chess. These activities have been passed down through generations, reflecting the region's rich cultural heritage.
As the government of Punjab has officially announced plans to celebrate Basant, it has become the talk of the town. Is it a wrong or right decision? Is this our festival or not? Moreover, interestingly, it will be the first full-fledged Basant for Gen Z and Gen Alpha. So, let us unfold the context of Basant.
In the context of history, the origin of kite flying can be traced back to China, then to East Asia, and later to South Asia. For example, in Afghanistan it is known as kaghazparan, in Iran as bad-parak, and in Turkey as uçurtma. It later spread to Europe, for instance in Germany, where it is known as Windvogel.
In South Asia, it flourished in urban centres such as Lahore, Delhi, Lucknow, and Ahmadabad. During medieval times, it was patronised by the Mughals. Generally, kite flying is known as patang-bazi or guddi-bazi, with kites available in different colours, types, and sizes.
The etymology of the word Basant is derived from the Sanskrit word basan, meaning ‘spring’. Historically, in the........