Pakistani Muslim society is often characterised as conservative and rigid regarding religious practices. Nevertheless, a lesser-known dimension of this society centres on cultural and traditional rituals that are not directly shaped by religious doctrine.
Notable traditional Punjabi sports include kabbadi, a dynamic contact sport emphasising strength and agility; wrestling; kite flying; wrist holding; cards; and chess. These activities have been passed down through generations, reflecting the region's rich cultural heritage.
As the government of Punjab has officially announced plans to celebrate Basant, it has become the talk of the town. Is it a wrong or right decision? Is this our festival or not? Moreover, interestingly, it will be the first full-fledged Basant for Gen Z and Gen Alpha. So, let us unfold the context of Basant.
In the context of history, the origin of kite flying can be traced back to China, then to East Asia, and later to South Asia. For example, in Afghanistan it is known as kaghazparan, in Iran as bad-parak, and in Turkey as uçurtma. It later spread to Europe, for instance in Germany, where it is known as Windvogel.
In South Asia, it flourished in urban centres such as Lahore, Delhi, Lucknow, and Ahmadabad. During medieval times, it was patronised by the Mughals. Generally, kite flying is known as patang-bazi or guddi-bazi, with kites available in different colours, types, and sizes.
The etymology of the word Basant is derived from the Sanskrit word basan, meaning ‘spring’. Historically, in the Hindu tradition, it is celebrated on the fifth Panchami of the Hindu month of Magh in honour of Saraswati, the Goddess of Wisdom and Learning.
Gradually, in popular Punjabi culture, it came to mark the end of winter and the welcoming of spring, similar to the spring festival of Nowruz. Thus, it can be interpreted as a religious phenomenon of the vernacularisation of Basant in the region of Punjab, and as part of the collective cultural memory of Lahore, or the cultural festival of Lahore.
Interestingly, Basant was celebrated in Sufi traditions as well, for example, at the shrines of Shah Hussain (1539–93) and Mian Mir. As Punjab is an agrarian economy, economic prosperity is directly linked to the harvest season.
As a result of the war on terror and other regional and global developments, our society has become culturally suffocating, with fewer opportunities for the masses to be happy and experience joy in life by forgetting day-to-day worries and embracing the liveliness of life
In that context, Basant coincides with the harvesting season for mustard; therefore, the predominant colour is yellow, which symbolises joy, happiness, and brightness. The Basant season is a short span of moderate weather; it marks the end of winter and precedes summer.
However, it is important to note that Basant’s date has also been changed due to the months of Ramadan and Muharram, both of which are sacred in Islam.
Other than that, the concept of Basant is also reflected in poetic traditions. For example, Shah Hussain wrote:
Sajna de hath dore asad, mein sajan de guddi.
The words of Amir Khusro about Basant are:
aj basant mana le suhagan aj basant mana le
ajan manjan kar piya mori lamb ekes laga le.
Unfortunately, this colourful festival turned deadly when a few troublemakers started using chemical, metallic, and glass-coated kite string (dor). Due to this, innocent lives had to pay the price for no reason.
According to media estimates, in 2005, 19 people died, and more than 200 people were injured. Hence, on 25 October 2005, the Supreme Court banned kite flying, as well as the manufacturing, buying, and selling of kites.
In 2026, Punjab attempted to revive the lost festival of Lahore under strict standard operating procedures, rules, and regulations to ensure safety. Having said that, it is a herculean task to keep Basant a safe festival.
With regard to the economy and trade, the festival of Basant generated around 1.5 billion in trade in such a short span of time. Basant is not confined to the kite industry alone, but also impacts many other industries, such as food, garments and clothing, transport, media, and the hospitality industry.
At the beginning, I mentioned two questions: Is it a right or wrong decision? Is this our festival or not? Perhaps it will be defined and decided by the people and society, and by the extent to which they abide by rules and act as responsible citizens. In short, liberty comes with responsibility.
On the horizon of society, it is a question of identity and culture. I, as a millennial, have witnessed a different Lahore, including puppet shows, Basant, theatre, cinema, various literary festivals, concerts, traditional sports (kushti, kabbadi), horse and cattle shows, and more.
Now the reality is that an entirely new generation has been born and grown up, and the majority of them are not aware of indigenous culture and unique identity. Ironically, most of them are aware of Halloween, Black Friday, and similar occasions, because we live in a global village driven by narratives, economic interests, and global agendas.
Don't our upcoming generations deserve to know their culture and feel proud of it? Second, our cultural narrative is a mission. For a balanced and sane life, it is necessary to engage in leisure activities ranging from art and literature to festivals.
Do we have these opportunities even in urban centres? If yes, to what extent are they viable for the middle class?
As a result of the war on terror and other regional and global developments, our society has become culturally suffocating, with fewer opportunities for the masses to be happy and experience joy in life by forgetting day-to-day worries and embracing the liveliness of life.
In the prevailing circumstances, Basant may provide a breathing space for the masses and may lead to a renaissance of Lahore as a cultural centre.