The Punjaban from Down Under
by MANPREET KAUR SINGH
Japji Kaur Khaira, the Punjabi beauty from Down Under, is on top of
the world - she has been
crowned Miss World Punjaban and has become the first ever non-Indian
Punjaban to win this unique competition.
"I can't describe how it feels," gushes Japji, a second year
university student of Applied Science, who just turned 20 in January
'07. "I had only dreamt about this, and now it has actually
happened!" Japji recalls, "You know, I was only 14 years old
when Priyanka Chopra won the Miss World title. I remember immediately
searching the internet for other pageants held around the globe and I
was stunned to read about 'Miss World Panjaban' competition. Right then
I had decided that I would work hard to claim this title, and today,
I've realised that dream".
So what is this Miss World Punjaban contest? Initiated by the
Sabyacharak Satth Punjab, based in Ludhiana, the first such pageant was
held in 1993. In a world accustomed to glitz and glamour, and where
beauty pageants have become increasingly focused on exhibitionism rather
than on natural beauty, this is a pageant with a difference: the
participants wear traditional Punjabi attire, speak in Punjabi, perform
Gidha and answer questions about 'charkha', 'chakki' and 'madhani'. The
usual swimsuit rounds and teeny-weeny western outfits are given a toss
in this competition and tradition is served up on a platter in many
countries across the world.
Preliminary contests were held in Australia, UK, Canada and some other
countries, as well as in all Indian states in 2006. Overall, around 50
participants made it to the finals held at Ludhiana, at the end of the
year. They went through many rounds and in the end 15 participants were
left to vie for the title.
Japji, already a Miss Punjaban Australia, proudly represented the Aussie
Punjabis at the pageant in Punjab.
Explains Jasmer Singh Dhatt, the founder of Sabhyacharak Sathh Punjab,
"This is a competition for the quintessential Punjabi 'muttiar';
whilst beauty is important, the participants are also asked to
demonstrate their understanding of Punjabi culture, their love for
Punjabi performing arts and love for their language. It's a contest not
just for the 'soorat', but also the 'seerat' of the Punjabans."
Japji vowed the audience by playing the dhol in the talent round. She
recalls, "I had gone to India a month before the competition so I
could prepare for the pageant. I went to museums, read books and most
importantly, took classes to learn the dhol. The audience couldn't
believe that this girl from Australia would actually come on stage and
play the dhol - and I think that was the best moment of the whole
pageant for me." Apart from the personal talent round, there was a
bridal round, a gidha round and a quiz round where participants were
asked questions pertaining to the Punjabi way of life. Japji was asked
to explain what a 'kolhu' is and was also asked to sing a boli on "naar".
But here, the question arises about the relevance of ancient tradition
in the life of a 21st century Punjaban. Does a modern day Punjaban
really need to know about charkha, chakki and kolhu in this day and age?
Ask Dhatt this question, and he responds, "Definitely. It's
important for every Punjabi girl to know what our traditions are. We
don't ask the girls to work the charkha or grind grains in the chakki;
we only expect them to recognise these things and know them for what
they are. In any case, this round carries less weightage in the overall
score as compared to other rounds, but nevertheless, it's an important
part of our competition.
That's what makes Miss World Panjaban pageant unique - it is the only
event of its kind in the world where contestants are asked specifically
about their culture. In most other contests, vulgarity is the call of
the day and girls feel the less dressed, the better. But in this
competition, tradition is given precedence, and more is beautiful."
So what are the future plans of Miss World Punjaban? Standing 5 feet 6
inches tall, and passionately proud of her cultural background, Japji
says, "Well, I intend to complete my studies and work in the IT
industry. Equally I want to fulfill the responsibility that comes with
the Miss World Punjaban title and will work hard to spread the fragrance
of Punjabiat. Even though I've grown up in Australia, I have felt the
need to uphold our traditions. I think it is inevitable that we will all
be touched by the modern, western culture and there is nothing wrong
with that; but it shouldn't come at the cost of abandoning our cultural
roots. I hope to help open Punjabi cultural centres throughout the
country and encourage youngsters to appreciate our rich
traditions," says Japji.
Her message to other young Punjabans around the world? Pat comes the
reply, "I'll narrate my favourite 'shayr':
"Chunni nun na killi tango
Khud nun na pachhim wich rango
Rahe virsa jeenda saada
Rab to ehi duavan mango"
[Don't hang up your chunni on the hook,
Don't surrender it all to western ways.
May the good Lord grant us this boon...
That our traditions live forever.]
