Women in Punjab celebrate ‘Teej’

AMRITSAR - The Hindu festival of ‘Teej’ was celebrated in traditional spirit at the Khalsa College for Women in Punjab’s Amritsar city on Saturday.

The campus wore a festive look of a lively village, with the students attired in colourful and traditional Punjabi dresses.

After the scorching heat of the summer months, ‘Tiyan’ or Teej is a welcome and much-awaited break for women of Punjab.

Dancers enacted verses called ‘bolis’, which are a colourful representation of folk poetry.

“The month of Monsoon is full of happiness. During this month, the married women come to their mother’s houses and express their happiness,” said Sonam Kaushal, a student.

“We have a tradition that a girl cannot express her happiness in her husband’s house, so they come to their mother’s house to express themselves,” she added.

Young girls performed various traditional dances on folk songs to mark the occasion.

“We are celebrating the day by performing our traditional dances, swinging and singing songs from our Punjabi tradition,” said Harvinder Kaur, another student.

“There are many competitions like ‘Monsoon Queen’ and Mehndi competition. The girls are participating in these competitions with a great amount of enthusiasm,” she added.

The locals here said the festival is important both culturally and socially.

“The importance of the month of Monsoon in human life is great. It has social importance, cultural importance, and even it has spiritual and natural importance as well. The month of Monsoon is such that the clouds come and the nature, forests and the birds-animals also feel happy,” said Sukhbir Kaur Mahal, Principal of Khalsa College.

Teej marks the beginning of a series of fairs and festivals celebrated throughout the autumn and winter months. (ANI)