Sydney celebrates Festival of Teeyan with great gusto
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 that is dedicated to the God of Rain, imploring Him 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 was a great success with thousands of women, making the day an exceptional experience for all this traditional Punjabi festival on Sunday of July 3, 2022 at the Whitlam Leisure Centre, Liverpool. After three years due to Covid-19 pandemic when every celebration and festival was put on back burner due to incessant lock downs and despite the bitterly cold weather, heavy rain and storm (not this heavy rains and floods rather asking the Gods to bring balance to the climate change that we see all around the world including Australia which has seen too much of the rain this year), women managed to squeeze in fun, frolic and laughter with their loved ones at the ‘Teeyan fair’.
Teeyan festival is the only one event which is ‘Ladies only’ where even the very homely ladies itching to come forward, dance and show their hidden talent without any hesitation. Teeyan is a special festival for Punjabi community, not just in India but Sydney as well, which pays great respect to women as a mother, daughter and even the daughter- in- laws, a gathering that brings families together, a celebration by everyone to dance, sing, participate and rejoice being a woman.
As one entered Liverpool Whitlam Centre; a swing (Jhoola), a charkha ( spinning wheel ), proudly displayed at the entrance traditionally decorated by beautiful flowers welcomed all. Women dressed in Punjabi embroidery of Phulkari duppattas 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 mehendi ( henna ) had the ladies all lined up.
The highlight of the event was multitalented Punjabi actor and singer Gurnam Bhullar, who came all the way from India to perform at the Sydney Teeyan Mela. Giddha soon followed so also when Gurnam sang for them famous Punjabi numbers. Ladies felt like they just came back to their ‘Maika’ – Parents home as if enjoying Teeyan festival in their hometown. Dance masti kept the ladies on their feet including many young children through out the day.
Event organisers Varun and Kamaldeep Kaur said, “We feel privileged and proud to organise such colourful event every year in Sydney and this year we have to host it in a bigger venue as the demand for it became high. Ladies were too eager to come out and there was a great buzz before we even started to publicise the event. We always proudly support arts and culture of India, Teeyan is being our main one. Events like these are possible with the support of our community; everyone in our team voluntarily took on a role and played their part.”
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.
Pics Courtesy: Harmohan Walia and Mashal Yousufi
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