Lovely essay Ayush:) As a Punjabi from a partition refugee family I relate to what you've mentioned about the language dying through the generations. I've been trying to build a relationship with it for the last few years, albeit slowly. About the love songs you mention, it's true that they are all from a Woman's perspective. However, many of these draw from Punjabi Qissas that have survived for centuries and almost all famous Qissas have been written by men.I was wondering if you found something to explain this dichotomy? Thank you for articulating this complex relationship:)
Thank you so much, Mehar. I'm very glad you could relate :)
It's very interesting what you mention about Qissas and I have no clue. I feel like I am left with so many questions. It'd be amazing if some of us interested in this could get together and find some answers.
On my part I will continue asking and reading and will reach out to you if I find anything more about Punjab's folk traditions.
Ayush i feel like someone handed my a step by step guide on how to write an essay traversing different layers of personal and political! This is such sheer brilliance....amazing essay ! Wil have to keep coming back
Uff such a beautiful essay, Ayush. Lots for me to learn about the complexities around learning Punjabi in the state of Punjab. Your Dadi would be proud of the way you are reconnecting to the language. 🙂✨
Your essays are always a revelation! Ever in awe of how you so seamlessly connect larger history with your personal stories— and that the personal stories always come out on top as so poignant and moving.
I could relate so much to having such a loving yet rather feeble connection with my own grandparents and mother tongue. Hope I can remedy that while I can. Thank you for writing this essay :)
Reading this essay was reading (and healing) parts of my own personal history (as a grandchild of refugees from Pakistan). Like Ila, I too will be revisiting the post to checking out the links you shared. For Punjabi wedding songs, my go to has been Mussarat Nazir. Also, I finally understand why my grandad’s Gutka (prayer book) is in Urdu and why he couldn’t read Gurmukhi. Thank you for writing and sharing, Ayush.
Didn't know your family has roots in West Punjab. Would love to read about their/your experience as well. My family were in Amritsar and Gurdaspur so they narrowly escaped the horrors, especially my Dadi who was in Gurdaspur at the time and there was uncertainty about which way the district would go.
What a beautiful essay! Need to click each of those hyperlinks so I will surely come back to this again and again. And this line ❤️ “You can’t mourn what you don’t know.”
The language for men and women being different..of love songs only from one perspective..uff! It just keeps coming back how many differences have been coded in.
Thank you so much, Sanobar. Means a lot :) Also really glad that you liked exploring the links. Would be great to know if any of the songs struck a cord.
Lovely read. It's only now that I have a half Bengali child that I regret that I never learnt to read or write Bengali. And my child will probably barely understand the language.
Lovely essay Ayush:) As a Punjabi from a partition refugee family I relate to what you've mentioned about the language dying through the generations. I've been trying to build a relationship with it for the last few years, albeit slowly. About the love songs you mention, it's true that they are all from a Woman's perspective. However, many of these draw from Punjabi Qissas that have survived for centuries and almost all famous Qissas have been written by men.I was wondering if you found something to explain this dichotomy? Thank you for articulating this complex relationship:)
Thank you so much, Mehar. I'm very glad you could relate :)
It's very interesting what you mention about Qissas and I have no clue. I feel like I am left with so many questions. It'd be amazing if some of us interested in this could get together and find some answers.
On my part I will continue asking and reading and will reach out to you if I find anything more about Punjab's folk traditions.
Thanks Ayush:) I like the sound of exploring this cultural trove with others interested, would definitely be more enriching and fun!
Ayush i feel like someone handed my a step by step guide on how to write an essay traversing different layers of personal and political! This is such sheer brilliance....amazing essay ! Wil have to keep coming back
Ditto!
Woah, thank you so much, Roshni. I'm so glad you liked it :)
Such a brilliant essay, Ayush! You inspire me to work harder on my writings. I am glad you keep taking the bar higher and higher :)
That's too kind, Karthik. Especially from someone whose writing I look up to. Thank you, I'm really glad you liked it :)
Uff such a beautiful essay, Ayush. Lots for me to learn about the complexities around learning Punjabi in the state of Punjab. Your Dadi would be proud of the way you are reconnecting to the language. 🙂✨
Thank you very much, Sai! I'm really glad you liked it. I hope she is :)
Goodness. Such an incredible essay with history and poetry. The jigsaw. That image will stay with me.
Thank you so much, Raju!
Your essays are always a revelation! Ever in awe of how you so seamlessly connect larger history with your personal stories— and that the personal stories always come out on top as so poignant and moving.
I could relate so much to having such a loving yet rather feeble connection with my own grandparents and mother tongue. Hope I can remedy that while I can. Thank you for writing this essay :)
Thank you so much, Payal. I feel very grateful to have readers like you and look forward to returning the favor soon :)
And wish you all the best on recovering your language.
Uff that last line! The whole piece is just wonderful, but that last sentence is sheer poetry!
Thank you Binu!
Wow Ayush. This is a topic very close to my heart and you have expressed so much of what I have wanted to say. Thank you for writing this :)
Thank you so much, Sanket :)
You write so well, Ayush!
Thank you Devika!
Reading this essay was reading (and healing) parts of my own personal history (as a grandchild of refugees from Pakistan). Like Ila, I too will be revisiting the post to checking out the links you shared. For Punjabi wedding songs, my go to has been Mussarat Nazir. Also, I finally understand why my grandad’s Gutka (prayer book) is in Urdu and why he couldn’t read Gurmukhi. Thank you for writing and sharing, Ayush.
Thank you, Prerna! I'm so glad you could relate.
I should have mentioned Musarrat Nazir too.
Didn't know your family has roots in West Punjab. Would love to read about their/your experience as well. My family were in Amritsar and Gurdaspur so they narrowly escaped the horrors, especially my Dadi who was in Gurdaspur at the time and there was uncertainty about which way the district would go.
What a beautiful essay! Need to click each of those hyperlinks so I will surely come back to this again and again. And this line ❤️ “You can’t mourn what you don’t know.”
Thank you, Ila! If you like any of the songs in particular, pls let me know!
So well written Ayush 💖
The language for men and women being different..of love songs only from one perspective..uff! It just keeps coming back how many differences have been coded in.
Thank you so much, Khyati! Really glad you liked it :)
I'm so thankful for the links too, Ayush! What an exceptional piece this is!
Thank you so much, Sanobar. Means a lot :) Also really glad that you liked exploring the links. Would be great to know if any of the songs struck a cord.
What an interesting read, Ayush. Keep them coming....
Thank you so much!
Lovely read. It's only now that I have a half Bengali child that I regret that I never learnt to read or write Bengali. And my child will probably barely understand the language.
It just takes 3 generations to kill a language.
Thank you Atreyi! I'm glad it hit a cord and I share what you feel. I hope your child manages to find a way to Bengali.
So glad I read this post! So well written — thank you for writing, Ayush!
Thank you so much for reading, Pritam! Glad you liked it :)