It isn’t a surprise how quickly the extravagance of a culture became the greatest assets that led countries to excel in tourism. Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore are all nations that understood this feat in the early noughties. Europe and America have been working on culture export to the extent of colonialism. Although many people assort colonialism with arrogance, that is a particular case of ethnocentrism. Ethnocentrism is the mindset of believing ones own culture superior to another’s. It is the driving force for diplomacy and the best tool for driving tourism, hence economic boost.
Punjab is associated with centuries old culture. It is tainted with war and its own feat of separations and languages. Scriptures divided into two, that being the Gurmukhi and the Shahmukhi. Now a fact has risen, that Sikhs now dominate the culture of Punjab, whereby now a Punjabi from Pakistan on the grand stage will be confused as a Sikh if he/she claims to be Punjabi. This effect has taken such a toll, that many Punjabis claim descendancy from Sikhism and old cities of Sikh heritage. Most of these notions are factual, and you may believe there are no flaws in such claims. However, the stake at which we do this, we bring to detriment the existing life of Punjab of Pakistan.
Taking the larger chunk of the province, Pakistan Punjab has its own traditions and nature. They are deep rooted within their religion and village lifestyle, the pronunciation of words, and a dialect that reflects their locality and background. Modern Punjabi households, shy from speaking Punjabi in public or to their children, as they consider it a language spoken by the labor class of the nation. This “complex” has led to the deterioration of the language between the Youths of Pakistan. Luckily, cities like Lahore, still have a youth that drives the language as their own, but yet again, Lahore is a city of Sikhs. Developed by Sikhs, named after Sikhs, modernized by Sikhs, exemplified by Hindus, and much more.
When Diljit Dosanjh made it to Coachella this past year, his statement will live forever, “the Punjabis have arrived at Coachella”. Pakistan sent Ali Sethi, who’s performance wasn’t only subpar, but ignored by the masses. Diljit, exported a culture, amplified his talents, and ended up collaborating with some of the biggest acts of the American Music Industry. Ali Sethi came back to no heroes welcome, nor does anyone remember his performance as a whole.
The cultural export was as such, that even Urdu-Speaking Pakistani’s were extremely excited to see Diljit’s performance. When Diljit hinted at a visit to Pakistan from the love he has garnered, the nation went a blaze in roar for him to come.
Liberal Desis, a pathetic creed that exists, will tell you that Bohemia and Imran Khan(singer) exported the Punjabi Rap culture way before. The difference is that RDB and Mikka Singh did much much more. Bohemia and Khan exported the language to apply to American and British luxury culture. The rest exported the culture of their heritage. Sidhu Moosewala exported his heritage. He exemplified that even if he was living abroad, he will never forget that he is a Sikh. His music videos dictated the passing of Punjabi culture to young youths. Bohemia and Imran Khan only exported how they drove cars and loved their women, it never reached scales as the artists mentioned. Honey Singh is another example, he never portrayed his culture, he did commercial music with the aspect of “club songs”, although gaining exceptional returns, his name doesn’t move nations.
One thing becomes clear in this comparison. Sidhu Moosewala, Shubh, Diljit Dosanjh, all are artists who are very pure at heart, who believe, and are die-hard Punjabis, strongly in the culture of the Sikhs. “Raaj Karega Khalsa” is very much a reality even today.
(Editors Note):
To make matters clear: We are so proud of their achievements, purely from the perspective that they have done justice to their heritage and communities. We are so deeply saddened, that our Punjabis have forgotten about their own culture, and have adopted what the trends dictate.
I congratulate every nation, that is proud of their heritage, regardless of their realities and shortcomings, and I urge the Pakistani nation, to not be a group of cheerleaders on the world stage, but to remember who they are, and build on their own virtues and traditions.
