maintaining our culture

I live outside of India and listen to punjabi songs more often than not. I crave to watch punjabi videos of my favourite songs. but what is so demoralising are the actor and actresses in the videos. Practically hero is clean shave and the actress has short hair.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/interfaith-dialogues/17738-maintaining-our-culture.html

Nothing of the punjabi culture is being displayed except ladies in short skirts and guys with latest fashionable hair styles. It is sad that our culture is being eroded through this medium and nothing is being said or done to maintain our culture. even the singers who have "paag" and "dari" have decided to use extras that have no sembelence to our culture.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=17738

The purpose of this thread is to make a plea to whoever is in a position to make a change to slowly but surely educate the singers that it is hip and cool to use extras that have "paag" and "dari" and ladies with full grown hair and wearing punjabi suits to dance.

If not, our culture will be dead even before we know it. The world has caught up with bhangra and find it cool to be associated with it but we are running away from our own culture. most of the hindi movies must have a bhangra song and dance to make it a hit.

So, wy do we shun a culture that is so rich, vibrant and colourful with our own brand that has "paag" and "dari".

Satwant

 
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the majority of us are idiots thats why. A few of us who are not have started things like Sarbloh Warriors and Singh Media

All are idiot who don't know true sabad including us and Sarbloh warriors/Singh Media. This is the reason gurus culture is getting shunned...

We can maintain our culture by maintaining it ourselfs and in our immediate family to began with. I'm glad I'm not in punjab. People who are away from punjab are making more efforts to save it then people in punjab. So let us start by greeting each other in public and private meetings with Waheguru ji ka khlasa Waheguru Ji ki Fateh. Let us start by learning Japji and reciting with our elders and neighbors. Let us invite our neighbors for exchange of views and discussions. Let go to our children or bother and sister's schools and give a talk etc.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=17738
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=17738
And let us maintain Punjabi culture by..............................Please complete the list.

Hold on a minute... are Punjabi culture and Sikh culture the same thing? The posts do imply that.

Clarkejoey ji,

Good question.

My answer: Sikhism is not regional but global, universal.
Most punjabis are sikhs, others are hindus and muslims and possibly christians, jainis, etc.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=17738
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=17738
Most new sikhs are not punjabis. Here's a link from where new sikhs probably come from:
http://www.kundaliniyoga.com/Clients...ctory?OpenForm

clarkejoey,

you are spot on

ppl mix up sikhism and punjabi culture

whatever you see being done as "rituals" in any of the gurudwaras has roots in punjabi culture
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=17738

langar served sitting on ground has punjabi/indian cultural roots

doing chaur over Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji has punjabi roots

matha tekna has punjabi roots

preparing only wheat & desi ghee deg has punjabi roots
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=17738

...

the list goes on and on and on

the essence of sikhism is lost many a times in show of punjabi culture

"Sikhism is not regional but global, universal." said Begum.

That's what I thought; in fact, as someone far, far from Punjabi culture, the closest thing to an obstacle in my Sikh journey is exactly this: where does Punjabi end and Sikh begin? I understand the retention of the original language(s) of scripture, i understand the use of cultural symbols (turban, sword, etc.)... but the impression one sometimes gets is that one must adopt a wholly Punjabi lifestyle/selfimage in order to be a Sikh. But that can't be; any religion worthy of the whole human race must be adaptable to the whole of human culture.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=17738

For instance, i find the language a HUGE difficulty, and i have no doubt that others who might have made a contribution have turned away because of it.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=17738

Is it that Sikhs themselves (ourselves) are not secure in their (our) identity?

The spread of Sikhism would naturally follow a certain pathway. By this I mean, people who come into Sikhism through conversion are automatically going to go through the fusion at first - fusion of their culture with the teachings of Sikhism. We may not look at the whole thing as going according to plan but it is natural for people to mix their culture with religion.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=17738
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=17738

Say for eg, if there is a concentration of new sikhs in Russia, they would opt for the Russian Dance instead of the Bhangra. It might look like a mess but it isn't. It will take alot of time for Russian new Sikhs to separate their culture from the Sikh religion.

Comments welcomed.