Lohri, celebrated on January 13 in Punjab and parts of North India, honors the memory of Dulla Bhatti, a folk hero. During the festival songs honor his virtuous actions. Through his unconventional lifestyle Dulla Bhatti earned a reputation as a hero because he rescued people and defended women from assaults against Mughal rules that caused problems for his community. People have practiced singing songs in his honor since ancient times.
Festivities and Traditions
Lohri is linked to the harvest season. People light bonfires throughout the night to which they add offerings of jaggery, peanuts and rewri, gajak and popcorn. Parents and children join their dance steps together while singing sweet jaggery-nut dessert. Married daughters receive hampers containing food along with clothes and presents from their families. The first Lohri after a child’s birth or marriage is celebrated as a special occasion. Through Lohri celebrations Punjabis from multiple religious communities come together as one big family to celebrate their culture.
The Legacy of Dulla Bhatti
From 1547 until his birth Dulla Bhatti spent his youth listening to tales about Mughal oppression shared by his mother. The Mughal officials executed both his father and grandfather when they fought for farm workers and oppressed people. As a folk hero Dulla Bhatti carried on with their mission by safeguarding Hindu and Pasmanda females from persecution. Through his resistance against Mughal Emperor Akbar Dulla Bhatti achieved folk hero status while he gave away royal wealth to poor people.
Stories about Sundari who became a Mughal soldier’s abducted Sikh girl have become widely known. Dulla Bhatti rescued her and arranged her marriage, leading to the Lohri celebrations. The song “Sunder Mundariye” tells this tale. Dulla Bhatti was hanged in 1599, but his legacy lives on through folklore and Lohri songs.
History transmitted through speech has preserved Dulla Bhatti’s history alongside numerous histories of the Pasmanda individuals. Through the oral history practice in Punjab people pass down ancient accounts to ensure vital personalities stay remembered by later generations.
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