Teej celebrations get a virtual makeover

Minna Zutshi

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 25

With the fear of Covid-19 pandemic looming large, festivals are getting a ‘virtual makeover’. Educational institutions are encouraging the online celebrations of festivals that hitherto were celebrated onstage in schools.

In the pre-pandemic years, Teej was celebrated with fervour and gusto in educational institutions. Teej, the festival that celebrates monsoon, now has an invigorating online presence. Many schools in Ludhiana and even neighbouring districts like Fatehgarh Sahib celebrated the festival as online Teej instead of the onstage fest.

Various schools celebrating Teej online organised numerous activities to mark the festival . The idea was not only to capture the essence of the lovable festival, but also to bring out the creative instincts of students amid Covid-19 pandemic.

Many students made short videos of folk dances and songs associated with Teej, popularly called ‘Teeyan’ in Punjabi. Students could be seen dressed up in traditional costumes. The eye-catching colours of their costumes created a festive mood, wafting the fragrance of happiness and positivity all around even in the unenviable situation of the pandemic.

As Dr Anu Verma, the Principal of DAV Police School, rightly remarked, “Celebration of such festivals helps students to stay connected with their roots and culture.”