Role of Folk Culture in Punjabi Cinema

The role of folk culture in Punjabi cinema has been pivotal in shaping its unique and culturally rich identity. Since its inception, Punjabi cinema, often called Pollywood, has undergone significant evolution, yet one consistent and defining element remains its deep-rooted connection to folk culture. This vibrant amalgamation of traditions, music, dance, rituals, and narratives has been passed down through generations in Punjab. These cultural elements have not only influenced the daily lives of Punjabis but have also played a crucial role in shaping Punjabi cinema, making it a distinct and enriching cinematic experience. 

The Essence of Punjabi Folk Culture

Before exploring its representation in film, it’s critical to comprehend the components of Punjabi folk culture. Punjab’s rich cultural legacy, the country of five rivers, displays the vitality and tenacity of its people. Punjab’s rural lifestyle, spiritual values, past battles, and celebratory spirit are all reflected in its folk culture.

• Music: The most identifiable facet of Punjabi culture is its folk music. Sound instruments associated with Punjab include the dhol, tumbi, and sarangi. Punjabi celebrations are not complete without songs like “Boliyaan,” “Tappe,” and “Giddha,” which convey a spectrum of emotions from love and happiness to grief and defiance.
• Dance: Traditional dances like Bhangra and Giddha serve as cultural markers and entertainment. These dances, which are rooted in agricultural customs and festivals, represent the community’s excitement when a harvest or festival occurs.
• Narratives and Folktales: Punjab has a rich literary heritage, and the core elements of its cultural narrative include folktales and epic poems like “Heer Ranjha,” “Sassi Punnun,” and “Mirza Sahiban.” These stories reflect the ideals and ethos of Punjabi society and frequently centre on themes of love, bravery, and sacrifice.
• Rituals and Festivals: Punjabi culture’s colourful celebrations of Lohri, Baisakhi, and Teej, each commemorating a vital facet of agrarian life and the changing of the seasons, are another component that sets it apart.

Folk Culture in the Early Punjabi Cinema

Punjabi cinema was significantly impacted by the area’s folk culture when it first emerged in the early 1930s with movies like “Sheela” (1935) and “Mirza Sahiban” (1939). These early movies featured traditional music and dancing styles and frequently retellings of well-known folktales from Punjab. The stories were straightforward but effective and greatly influenced by Punjabi culture.

Abdul Rashid Kardar’s 1939 film ‘Heer Ranjha,’ is among the first instances of folk culture in Punjabi cinema. The movie was based on the fabled romance of Heer and Ranjha, which has been a major component of Punjabi folklore for many years. In addition to showing the love story, the movie included folk music, traditional clothes, and a rural setting, all essential to the plot.

The Golden Era: 1950s to 1980s

Many people refer to the years between the 1950s and the 1980s as Punjabi cinema’s golden age. Films at this period continued to be influenced by folk culture; numerous productions were either set in rural Punjab or were adaptions of well-known folktales.

Jugal Kishore’s Do Lachhian (1959) is one of the most famous movies of this era. The popular Punjabi folktale of the same name inspired the film, which included traditional dance and music. The popularity of “Do Lachhian” opened the door for several movies with folk themes, such as “Kankan De Ohle” (1971) and “Chambe Di Kali” (1960).

Another important film from this era, ‘Nanak Naam Jahaz Hai’ (1969), was firmly anchored in Punjabi spiritual and cultural traditions despite not being a folk tale. The film, based on Guru Nanak’s teachings, was a huge hit and is regarded as a Punjabi cinema classic. It highlighted Punjabi culture’s spiritual side, with devotional music and folk songs as significant plot points.

Folk Culture and the Revival of Punjabi Cinema

Punjabi cinema saw a comeback in the early 2000s following a downturn in the 1990s. A newfound interest in folk culture accompanied this comeback, with filmmakers once more finding inspiration in folktales, music, and dance.

A good example of this rebirth is the 1999 Manoj Punj film Shaheed-E-Mohabbat Boota Singh. The film had a strong cultural and historical connection to Punjab because it was based on the true story of Sikh ex-soldier Boota Singh and his tragic love story. It emphasized the effects of the Partition on the Punjabi people, a theme that strongly connects with the folktales of the area, and it included traditional Punjabi music.

The popularity of Shaheed-E-Mohabbat Boota Singh opened the door for more movies with folk themes, such as Mirza: The Untold Story (2012) and Heer Ranjha (2009). These movies demonstrated the depth of Punjabi folk culture and introduced old Punjabi tales to a new generation of viewers.

The Modern Era: A Blend of Tradition and Modernity

In recent years, filmmakers have been fusing traditional and modern aspects in Punjabi cinema, devising creative methods to weave folk culture into modern stories. Even while urban themes and issues are frequently featured in contemporary Punjabi films, traditional culture is still very much present, especially in song and dance.

The 2015 Simerjit Singh film “Angrej” is a prime illustration of this fusion of modernism and tradition. The film, set in rural Punjab in the 1940s, follows a young man’s journey navigating life and love. The movie is full of folklore, with traditional dance, music, and costumes all having major narrative roles. “Angrej” is credited with revitalizing interest in Punjabi traditional culture among modern audiences and was a huge financial and critical success.

‘Sufna’ (2020), directed by Jagdeep Sidhu, is another brilliant fusion of folk culture and modern concerns. The film examines themes of love, sacrifice, and resilience—all of which are fundamental to Punjabi folk narratives—while telling the story of a young couple in rural Punjab. Traditional Punjabi music is included throughout.

The Role of Folk Music in Punjabi Cinema

Folk music is an essential component of any discussion of folk culture in Punjabi cinema. Punjabi culture has always valued music highly, and this is also evident in Punjabi movies.

Folk music has always been a distinctive aspect of Punjabi films, dating back to the genre’s early years. Songs like ‘Heer’ and ‘Jugni’ have become the soundtracks of Punjabi cinema, enduring through the ages and gaining popularity. The distinctive and instantly identifiable sound of Punjabi film music is attributed to traditional instruments such as the harmonium, tumbi, and dhol.

Punjabi folk music has seen a recent comeback in popularity, and many modern musicians and filmmakers have begun including traditional tunes in their productions. This has exposed Punjab’s rich musical legacy to a worldwide audience and helped preserve it.

Folk Dance: Bringing the Spirit of Punjab to the Screen

Another essential component of Punjabi film is folk dance. The two most well-known folk dances in Punjab, Bhangra and Giddha, are frequently used in Punjabi movies, bringing vitality and vigour to the story.

Traditionally a male dance performed during the harvest, bhangra has gained international recognition partly because of its prominence in Punjabi cinema. The contagious energy and excitement that this dance exudes are showcased in Bhangra moments that have become legendary in movies like Jatt & Juliet (2012) and Carry On Jatta (2012).

The female equivalent of Bhangra, Giddha, is likewise a mainstay of Punjabi cinema. Films frequently feature this dance style, combining energetic folk music and rhythmic clapping to represent festivities and celebrations. For instance, the film Qismat (2018) has a stunning Giddha scene that embodies Punjabi culture.

Folk Narratives: Stories That Transcend Time

Punjab’s rich storytelling heritage has been incorporated into Punjabi cinema as well. Folk tales and epics passed down through the generations are the basis for many Punjabi films. The ideals and ethos of Punjabi society are reflected in these stories, which frequently centre on themes of love, bravery, and sacrifice.

Classic films such as Heer Ranjha, Mirza Sahiban, and Sassi Punnun are instances of this. These tales, which have been told innumerable times in different formats, still impact listeners today, demonstrating the enduring quality of Punjabi folklore.

Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Folk Culture in Punjabi Cinema

The role of folk culture in Punjabi cinema cannot be overstated. From the earliest days of Punjabi cinema to the present, folk culture has been a defining feature, shaping Punjabi films’ narratives, music, dance, and overall aesthetic. This deep connection with folk culture gives Punjabi cinema its unique identity and makes it a vital part of the cultural landscape of Punjab.

As Punjabi cinema continues to evolve, folk culture is likely to remain a central element. It will provide a rich source of inspiration for filmmakers and ensure that Punjab’s vibrant cultural heritage is preserved and celebrated for generations to come.