At Saras Mela, acrobats draw crowd

Ravneet Singh

Tribune News Service

Patiala, February 22

People are thronging Saras Mela at the Sheesh Mahal in the city here. They are enjoying swings, games, dances and food. However, the main attraction here is a group of youngsters, performing acrobats.

Aged between 21 and 35, Bawa Singh’s troupe performed acrobats with traditional equipment, including a cot, wooden ladder and an iron rod. Their acts were accompanied by songs and little sayings.

Mandeep, one of the performers, slapped his thigh, ran from a distance and jumped from a pedestal over a ladder, around 12 feet in height, and jumped into the mud.  

In another stunt, Pappu Singh, along with Mandeep, bend an iron rod, holding it in-between their necks. People gave them anything ranging from Rs 50-500, appreciating their moves. 

The young men came from “Sadda Pind” in Amritsar, a state government’s project on heritage and culture. They performed at the tourist spot under the guidance of their manager Bawa Singh, who is now 60-year-old. Bawa said he started performing at the age of 10. “I have been performing since the age of 10. Today, I am training them in the same art. They are robust men.”

He said the group has travelled throughout the country and performed in countries, including Taiwan, Thiland and Dubai. “My boys eat and exercise a lot to be able to perform well.”

They are not much educated. “They left their school at an early age,” Bawa said.

But the business is not paying much. “With all the hard work we put in, young boys nowadays are not entering this business because of low income,” Bawa said.

“We could be the last generation performing these traditional stunts,” said a bemused performer and added, “We work with people’s support and continue to perform.”

Rajasthani food a hit among visitors

• The Saras Mela has become a favourite spot for food lovers. Many relished sumptuous food items such as sweet golas, South Indian dosas and Amritsari kulchas besides enjoying joy rides. However, a Rajasthani food stall became an instant hit among visitors.
• The Rajasthani stall set up by Babulal Caterers from Nagaur is offering a special Rajasthani thali, dal bati choorma, gatta sabzi, bajra roti with ker sangri thali. Five caterers stood serving moong dal halwa and Bikaneri jalebi, among other items, while repeatedly calling upon visitors to try their Rajasthani food.
• Manager Navi Chand said, “Ker sangri is a special food item from Rajasthan. It grows on trees in May and June. It is first dried and then cooked fresh.”
• “‘Mirchi wada and mawa kachori are special dishes from Jodhpur, while pyaz kachori is from Jaipur. We bring the raw food items from home and cook it fresh at food stalls everywhere in India,” he added.

Cycle rally  

Patiala:  A cycle rally was organised on the second day of the Patiala Heritage Festival.  The rally was flagged off from the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports by AS Rai, IG, Patiala Zone. The rally began at 7.30 am and passed through Shahi Samadhan, Qila Mubarak, Adalat Bazar, Sheran Wala Gate, Kali Devi Temple, Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib before culminating at Baradari Gardens. An exhibition, showcasing old and rare weapons, manuscripts and coins, was inaugurated by Punjabi University VC BS Ghuman at the North Zone Cultural Centre. TNS