If you’ve ever heard of India, chances are you’ve heard a lot about Punjab. Easily one of the most famous states in India for its vibrant culture and hard-working people, Punjab is one of the leading states in the country. Nature’s bounty has made this land India’s food plate, and the hard-working people have made a name for themselves around the world.
Apart from the green revolution, another very famous thing about Punjab is its extremely vibrant culture. The contagious forms of Punjabi music with its rhythmic beat form an essential part of virtually every movie that is produced by the famous Indian film industry, Bollywood. While Punjabis are the butt of many jokes, their ability to change the odds is highly respected.
When it comes to Punjabi home decor, two distinct trends emerge – rural and urban.
The first is the village or rural trend, in which the decoration is quite simple. Simple furnishings, such as beds woven from jute shells and floor seating, are popular. The kitchen is generally separate from the main house. When food is served, the men eat first and the women eat later.
Punjab villages also produce some popular home decoration items. One of them is the famous Phulkari which is very colorful embroidery using thick cotton thread and made into quilts, duvet covers and all. Sometimes traditional phulkari embroidery is also used in part to design smaller pieces such as decorative cushion covers, table covers, and rugs. This form of embroidery can usually be picked up at emporiums showcasing Punjabi culture, cultural fairs, or even online stores.
Another famous product is ‘Durrie’ cotton. The durrie is basically a simple rug made of cotton and is usually used as a floor mat. Very often it is also used as bedding or under mattresses to prevent bedding from slipping. Navy blue color is the most popular, colors like red, green, gray and brown are available. The durrie is durable, versatile in its use and highly practical.
Steel utensils are preferred for use in rural Punjab. Expect oversized steel tumblers that hold almost a full liter of lassi, or buttermilk, rural Punjab’s summer drink of choice. Even water and milk are offered in these huge glasses and guests are usually expected to finish everything!
Outside many Punjabi village houses, you will find colorful ceramic tiles decorating the entrance or main archway. This again is in line with the inherent nature of Punjabis to try to display their wealth to the world.
One interesting thing that you may notice about the rural Punjabi houses are the shaped water tanks. So you would find an oversized concrete bird perched on top of one house, a horse on another, numerous soccer balls, even airplanes, and statues of wrestlers! I would tie this back to the basic Punjabi trait of seeking attention and displaying wealth.
In my next article we will delve a little deeper into the home decoration patterns of the urban Punjab. See you soon!
