The Cultural Delights: Melas remain the vibrant celebrations of Pakistan’s rich cultural life

Ishtiaq Ahmed
A few days ago, I was sent a few photos of Mela at Jand Melo, a short drive from my marketing town of Gujar Khan, in the district of Rawalpindi.
Jand Melo is one of the two Melas in our immediate locality, the other being at Jabbar/ Salampura. Both events are of three to four days duration.

Both of these melas have religious, social and economic aspects, however, not melas have a religious link or context.
These two melas are organised by the current custodians of the two respective shrines, tracing their lineage back to their respective saints and their sufi orders (Silslas). In this respect, both melas are part of their annual ‘urs ‘gatherings.
‘Urs’, in popular sufi terminology connotes ‘spiritual reunion’, held at the death anniversary of a sufi saint usually at his dargah (shrine or tomb).
However, these melas have assumed a much wider social and commercial significance for the local communities. They have become much anticipated occasions for showcasing and celebrating the cultural richness of the local communities.

Attended by people in thousands and on occasions, by hundreds of thousands, melas are hubs for commercial activities for traders selling sweet meat assortments, food, toys, household goods, readymade clothes and funfair entertainment.
Whatever the association, these events are much anticipated attractions for the locals and for people far afield from other adjoining areas. This is more so the case, for example, if
where the mela is part of an ‘Urs’, here the faithfuls affiliated to the occupant of the shrine and his order flock to the mela throughout the country to pay their respect and show reverence.

But generally, Melas provide a welcomed respite for the people to move away for few days from their daily chores  to enjoy the atmosphere, relax with family friends, relish in various delicacies, take part in popular local day sports activities reminiscent of their rural life styles , for example , naiza- bazi, horse dressage, oxen racing, camel weight lifting, kabadi, wrestling, beeni, weightlifting etc.