Laddoos, bhangra, and kabaddi matches — that’s how Punjabi singer Gurdas Maan used to celebrate it

Festival of happiness–– that’s how Punjabi singer- songwriter Gurdas Maan, describes Baisakhi. Speaking about the essence and the significance of the day, he shares, “The festival of harvest is a big festival for us. Jo log khaate hai, peete hain woh sab kheti baadi se juda hua hai. It’s a moment of happiness when a farmer’s effort reaps rewards.” Sharing anecdotes of the festival during his growing up years in Punjab, he says, “To celebrate the harvest, there used to be a fair, wherein the farmers would dress in their best clothes and celebrate it in full fervour by performing bhangra. One could gorge sweets such as laddoo, jalebi. There were hordes of games, wrestling and kabaddi matches,” says Maan who will be performing at a Baisakhi festival to support children suffering from cancer in Mumbai, on April 14.

Maan adds that he would perform bhangra at school functions, and win accolades for it as well. “That would give me utmost happiness. These are the memories I cherish the most,” says the singer, popular for songs such as Ki Banu Duniya Da, Aisa Des Hai Mera.

He recently met Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace, and also performed at The Royal Albert Hall, Wembley Arena, London, and Madison Square, New York. Maan is happy that Punjabi culture has spread far and wide in different ways, through cinema and music. “Punjabi culture saari culture mein samaar ho gaya hai. There is no boundary between Western and folk music. English ke words bhi hamare geeton mein aane lage hai. Unki gayak shaili mein hamare words jaane lage hai,” he says. ■