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Artistic Punjab

Art is described as a creation or expression of something beautiful especially in a visual form and Arts and Crafts as a phrase means decorative designs and handicrafts. In this field also Punjab has it's distinguished tradition which it's people have still maintained.

'Variety is the spice of life' and the people of Punjab have proved it true thoroughly. They have had there hands on anything and everything. The art and craft of this land speaks of the creativity, art sense, patience and above all, hard work of it's people. Punjabis are par excellence in handicraft. Their extraordinary contribution to the field of art is the only of it's kind. The art of this land has succeeded in getting recognition all over the world.

From the intricacies and delicacies of nakkashi to pottery - every item of Punjab depicts the excellent creativity of it's people. The Golden Temple at Amritsar can be cited as the perfect example of the art of this land of five rivers. The architectural designing of this place of worshiping of Punjabis is par excellence. The admiring beauty of this Gurudwara enhances at night when it's seen twinkling like a star in the sky of Punjab.

Punjab has been a land of festivities since time immemorial. This has enhanced the significance of ornaments in the lives of Punjabis. Though the people themselves are beautifully dressed up with vivid ornaments, their cattle also seems to enjoy the presence of distinctive ornaments on their bodies. The Punjabis feel great pleasure in beautifying their cattle with various ornaments of various metals made especially for the cattle. People can be cited busy preparing artistically beautiful ornaments for the cattle of this land. Since Punjab is basically and traditionally an agricultural land, cattle has a lot of importance in the lives of the Punjabis and they are treated as family members.

Painting on the other hand has developed as an entirely different and independent field of art in Punjab. Renowned painters like Amrita Shergil and Shobha Singh belong to this great land. Their paintings have earned name and fame around the world.

The forms of art of traditional Punjab are many and mentioning all of them is next to impossible. But the skill of the Punjabis can surely be seen clearly and needs no explanation as it speaks for itself.

Weaving of durries(cotton bead or floor spreads) and carpets in various designs, especially by the young Punjabi girls has been a long tradition in Punjab. This handicraft still has an undoubted importance in Punjabi art.

Needle work of Punjab is unique. It has beautiful names due to it's association with beautiful aspects of life. The dexterous fingers of the beautiful women of Punjab create such a wealth of forms and motifs which are the only on eof it's kind. Phulkari, literally meaning, flower work, owes it's birth to this land. Needle work on phulkaris is done on a deep coloured cotton cloth with striking silk threads. The thread is pierced upwards from underneath the cloth into freehand motifs. Phulkaris are worth admiring.

Punjabi hand fans like the Japanese are almost typical and their leaves are made in much the same way as phulkaris are made. The women folk of Punjab engage themselves in some work or the other after the daily household chores which gives a platform to their artistic values.