Ballads

Ballads narrating stories in the form of a poem are in vogue among the agricultural population of Punjab. Amongst them the most favoured ballads are the `Mirza Sahib ki Sur` and `Waris Shah ki Hir.` The first one describes the heartbreaking love story of a noble and handsome Mirza for a Jat Mussalmani girl, Sahiba. Their love was not acceptable for their parents hence the young lovers ran away together. They were soon traced down and put to death. The story is well depicted which has a deep seated emotional effect on the easily-swayed hearts of the audience.

The second ballad is very similar as the first one. It describes the ill fated famous love story of Heer and Ranjha. The parents of Heer did not approve of their love and married her against her will to another man. Heer underwent a lot of torture in her marriage and subsequently returned back to her lover Ranjha. Their love was however not approved hence both the lovers were poisoned. The tragic love stories in both the ballads are often performed in the village and are considered as one of the most common form of social entertainment.

In the villages of Patiala hire professional dancers and singers for the performance of these ballads. These dancers are very proficient in their art and go about from places to perform these dances.

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