Sydney celebrates Teeyan da Mela
By Manju Mittal
Teej is an Indian festival, observed at the onset of the monsoon season in India. In Indian tradition it is a celebration dedicated to the god of rain, imploring to bring the monsoon to India’s fields, so that the farmers can reap a bountiful harvest. Popularly known as ”˜Teeyan’ in Punjab region in the month of the saawan which is usually around July, it is a celebration by women who come out in huge numbers with families lavishing gifts on their daughters. The annual event Teeyan Mela in Sydney on Sunday was a great success with hundreds of women dressed in colourful Indian attire, creating an exceptional experience of this traditional Punjabi festival on July 8, 2018 at Bowman Hall, Blacktown.
Teeyan festival is the only one event which is “Ladies only” where even the very homely ladies come forward and show their hidden talent without any hesitation. Teeyan is a special festival in the Punjabi community, not just in India but Sydney as well, which gives great respect to women as mother, daughter and even daughter-in-law a gathering that brings families together, a celebration by everyone to dance, sing, participate and rejoice being a woman.
As one entered Bowman hall at the Teeyan event; a swing (jhoola), a charkha (spinning wheel) proudly displayed at the entrance traditionally highlighted by beautiful flowers welcomed all, women dressed in Punjabi Phulkari duppata caught my eyes and gave the feeling as if I was in a village in Punjab. Women were having a wonderful time pampering themselves, many crowded at beauty stalls others selling jewellery, Indian outfits, hand crafted items, grooming corner especially mehndi ( henna ) had the ladies all lined up.
The audience got a chance to be a part of the Teeyan celebrations throughout by participating in various items, activities and contests planned on the day. The title of Teeyan 2018 was conferred upon some lucky ladies picked on the evening. Tania was the winner of Miss Teeyan title and Navpreet Kaur won the title of Mrs Teeyan.
Hon. Jody Mackay and Moninder Singh were chief guests of this very colourful festival and they equally seemed at ease enjoying the event fully. Highlight of the event was Teeyan 2018 cast live on social media and an estimated two and half lakh people watched it live as global broadcast of the event went worldwide.
Event organiser Kamaldeep Kaur said, “I feel privileged and proud to organise such colourful event here in Sydney, I always support arts and culture, Events like these are possible only with the support of our community, everyone in our team voluntarily took on a role and played their part.”
Giddha soon followed so also the DJ who pelted famous Punjabi songs. Ladies felt like they just came back to their ”˜Maika’ (Parents home) and thoroughly enjoyed Teeyan celebration. Dance masti kept the ladies on their feet including many young children.
It was a special Sunday and a fantastic effort from the organisers Varun Tiwari and Kamaldeep Kaur, they did an excellent job by putting in tireless efforts and taking care of the participants as well as the audience, media and guests.
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