Sherdil

Idk what you are, lol. People can be whatever they want on they internet. If your telling the truth, then you are calling your own sister a Kanjri. That's for you to decide. I don't know her. Sigh...I didn't want to have to say this. I have asked my grandparents about this whole caste issue. I told them, I wouldn't mind marrying a girl from a different caste, as long as she is a Sikh. They told me that I haven't seen what life was like in the village, in the old days. They said that Jatt folk used to keep mistris (ramgharias and lubanas) as hired help. Just like the Kanjars you mentioned before. Whenever they needed something fixed in their home, they would tell the mistri to go do it. They said that is was common for the help to get beatings if they messed up their work.

I agree wholeheartedly that Jattism has gotten out of control. I said this before on this thread. However, don't you think some of the haughtiness is a reaction to urban Sikhs looking down on the rural Sikhs of Punjab? There are non-Jatt Sikhs in from Delhi who choose to speak Hindi over Punjabi because they think it is more eloquent. They look at Punjabi Bhangra culture as some sort of drunken debauchery, which is precisely how it has been described by some on this forum. This Jatt vs Bhappa issue came up after partition. When both sides looked at their new neighbors with suspicion. You can't blame Jatts if non-Jatts have started using drugs. Nobody put a gun to their head and forced them to become druggies. If they do drugs, it's because they are weak minded. It doesn't matter if they are Jatt or something else. That leads me to the issue of blaming Jatts for everything that is wrong in Punjabi society. For example, people say that Jatts pushed the Dalits out of Sikhi. I will admit that we had a big role in doing that, but the rest of you have your hands dirty too. I don't see you guys inviting Dalits into your Gurdwaras. You guys have built gurdwaras to cater to your own castes. If you would join together, then you would outnumber Jatts by a lot. But, none of you wants to take on any responsibility. Just keep blaming Jatts. There was a video posted on this forum earlier, of a Gurdwara in Delhi called Ramgharia Sabha, or something like that. This gurdwara rented it's darbar to Hindus to do pooja worship or something. This is a repeating theme in UK, where we hear about Ramgharia and Labana gurdwaras renting out party halls. What if we started saying that you guys are sell-outs who only care about counting your money? A big over-generalization wouldn't you say?

Bhaji, Kanjars were servants that the Jatts hired. They are the equivalent of bhaiyas today. I don't think you are as dumb as you are pretending to be. Calling someone a kanjar today is not a nice thing. Just like calling someone a Bhappa is derogatory, even though the original meaning had nothing derogatory about it. So what if they were hired to perform at parties? People are still hired to perform at parties. You can hire dholis, singers and dancers today. Does that mean they are doing Kanjar Khanna? Also, what is this about Jattis dancing with other men? Have you ever been to a party? Guys and girls don't dance with each other at all, unless they are married or related. Jatts aren't the only people dancing. Parties are a mix of all kinds of people. I was on a Bhangra team with ramgharias, lubanas, kambojs, and banias. Nobody had any issue participating in "jatt culture". Why does it even have to be Jatt culture? It started with Jatts, but today everyone dances because it's fun. It's Punjabi culture. What about Miss Pooja? She isn't Jatt, but she's the biggest female artist in the industry. By your standards, this makes her the biggest Kanjri as well. I think maybe you've been called a Bhappa one too many times. I apologize on behalf of any Jatt people that might have said this to you, but you can't malign an entire community based on your bad experiences. Knocking someone else's caste isn't the way to solve the problem. It just creates more animosity. Go back and read my posts. Have I ever talked down anyone else's caste? Some people keep saying that Jatts are uneducated farmers, but you guys are no better. Carpenters, blacksmiths, street vendors? Nothing to be proud of there either.

Lol...I've said this before. People don't come here to learn and share ideas, they come here to hate and argue. Why so mad anyways? Were your family members the ones hired to dance? Had I known you guys were still sore, then I would have invited you guys to a new years party.

Bhaji, then why not learn Gurmukhi?

Oh...sorry. I thought you were being comical...but you're really serious.Lol.

At the beginning of your post, I was about to call you a traitor. Then I realized you were being sarcastic. Well played... :happy2: And might I add Chakk De Phatte!!! Bruah!!!!! :strong:

Hard to find nowadays, but there are still some out there.

Well, you are quite impressive yourself sir! Lol. The fact that you actually know what the moves are called, puts you in a select group. :respect: I agree that most people don't understand the history of Punjab, and it's those ignorant people that have a hand in destroying Punjabi culture.

What knowledge do they have, that Guru Granth Sahib doesn't? They are fringe groups. Closer to Hinduism.

You brought up another great point. Bhangra is based on the movements of farmers in the field. Anyone who has been taught traditional Bhangra will be able to tell you that the moves are based on kethi work, such as drawing water from the well. Without Jatts, there is no Bhangra and there is no Punjabi music industry. It started out innocently enough, but I admit that it has spiraled out of control. No longer are they singing about Jatts going to the mela and having fun. Now the songs are all about sharaab, chasing girls, and bragging about how tough they are. Then chamaars had to go and make their own songs promoting the same thing. As if repping your own caste and talking down on other castes is supposed to solve the problem. It just makes it worse.

Part of my fam is from Faridkot. People from that area hold Baba Farid in high regard. That's how I got into Sufi poetry. Kamli Yaar di Kamli is one of my favorites too! I loved listening to it as a little kid, even before I understood the meaning.

No one has mentioned the Sufi connection to those romance stories? The authors were Sufi. Sufis believe they are the soul-brides of God, a theme which is present throughout Guru Granth Sahib as well. Thus the relation between the man and the woman was a metaphor for the relationship between God and his soul-brides. As for the Jatt link, it just captures Punjab. When you think of Punjab, you think of agriculture and farmland (at least you used too). It's also a more romantic backdrop. Walking through the fields, as opposed to working in a carpenter's shop or bazaar.

I've seen that video before... It's described so vulgarly, it makes one wonder if it isn't exaggerated. Perhaps by a non-Sikh?

Right on. This topic was needed. People look to these middle-men to digest gurbani for them, but then it becomes hard for followers to differentiate gurbani from the opinion of the middle-man. There should be no middle-men between you and your guru.

Yes ji, haha. Good job. Sometimes we have such brilliant insights, that we are compelled to like our own posts. Although, I don't think the rules were explained properly. I thought we were supposed to give our own opinions, not guess the opinions of the mods.

Lol...debate over. The best answer has been chosen for us.

Taken From Sikhmuseum.com Seen in early 19th century images of Nihangs, the design of the Aad Chand emblem has remained relatively unchanged over time. The Sanskrit word ‘Ardh’, meaning half is written as ‘Addh’ in Punjabi. The Sanskrit word ‘Chandra, meaning moon is ‘Chand’ in Punjabi. Aad Chand literally means ‘Half Moon’. [1] There are two major variations of the Aad Chand worn by Nihangs. The more common one features a crescent moon symbol with a khanda sword at its center and decorative elements below the crescent. The other less common variation featuring three bladed weapons (two curved swords on either side of a central khanda sword) all within the crescent moon. This second variation is called a Gajgah and is traditionally worn by Nihang warriors who have proven themselves on the battle ground. [2] In Hinduism the crescent moon referred to as Chandra is an ancient lunar deity often associated with the the Vedic Lunar deity Soma. Soma is connected with dew, and as such, is one of the gods of fertility. The crescent moon symbol is always depicted worn on the head in images of the Hindu God Shiva. Shiva is considered one of the primary deities within various Hindu traditions. Within the Trimurti school of religious thought, Shiva is regarded as the destroyer or transformer. The iconographic association of the moon symbol Chandra on Shivas head date back to the time of the rise of Shiva and his close association with the older Vedic god Rudra. An association between Rudra and Soma can be found in a hymn in the Rig Veda where Soma and Rudra are jointly implored, and in later literature Soma and Rudra came to be identified with one another, as were Soma and the Moon. [3] Within the Nihang tradition, the wearing of the crescent moon of Shiva is regarded by some members of the sect as an integral part of considering themselves as Shiv Saroop, the very form of Shiva. [4] Although the crescent moon appears to be a standard element of Shiva iconography, the khanda sword at its middle is not found in images of Shiva. Wearing of the khanda sword within the crescent moon of Shiva has been a popular design variation among the Nihangs. Origins of this implementation remain unclear as the Nihang sect has mainly had an oral tradition. Very rare thousand year old Chola dynasty Shiva tridents from South India in the shape of crescent moons with a khanda sword like center element have a similar appearance, but to date, no direct documented association between the two has been found. The relationship between the various elements of the Aad Chand symbol as understood and explained by the Budha Dal, the oldest faction within the Nihang sect is as follows: There are a wide range of complementary understandings all which allow one to analyze the interaction of Shiv-Shakti within the Nihang Singh at various levels. Shiv is believed to be represented by a half moon (Aad Chand), signifying calm and coolness. Shakti is represented by a sun and is believed to be a more powerful energy and the driving force of the universe, within the Sikh tradition Chandi (personification of shakti) or Durga is not worshipped as a deity, but in the form of Bhaguati (sword). The Aad Chand (crescent moon) representing Shiv has long been a trademark of Nihang Singhs as is the wearing of arms; representing the divine union of Shiv and Shakti. [5] With the emphasis on the sword (Bhagauti) as a reference to God, as the ‘Divine Sword’ in the poetry of Guru Gobind Singh, the Nihangs may have used this symbolic interpretation in their incorporation of the khanda sword within the Shiva crescent moon of their Aad Chand emblem. Another less common interpretation based on interviews with Budha Dal members conducted in 1992-1993 indicates a interpretation of the Aad Chand emblem as a fertility symbol. The Add-Chand is made up of two components; the Chand is the Cresecnet moon, and symbol of female fertility, whilst the central piece is a shivling (phallus) and potent representation of Shiva. Note that below the shivling are two balls rather than the hilt of a khanda as there are in the Sikh symbol. [6] A similar interpretation also appeared in the description of an antique Aad Chand emblem sold by a major auction house. The Add-Chand symbol was adopted by the Nihang Sikhs in the 17th century and is worn on the 'Dumaala' a type of turban specific to the Nihang. It is made up of two components, the Chand or crescent moon which symbolizes female fertility and the Shivling, a phallic symbol and potent representation of Shiva. [7] The Shivling phallic symbol as depicted in Hindu religious iconography is typically a smooth rounded cylinder, while the vertical element used by the Nihangs in their Aad Chand emblem has pointed edges and a flat appearance similar to the blade of a sword. http://www.sikhmuseum.com/nishan/mistaken/crescent.html#shiva4%C2'>

I listen to a wide variety of music, but Punjabi music is my first love. There are parallels to other genres, like hip-hop. The latter also started out innocently enough, before veering off into gangster rap and promoting drugs, money and loose women. I wonder if this is a trend across the spectrum? Things that start out positively, end up in the gutter. It seems as soon as something becomes popular, it gets ruined.

Nihang bana emulates the image of shiva. The furla is like the water spouting from shiva's head. Nihangs wear an aad chand, like Shiva's, on their dastaar. Also, the color they wear is blue. Nihangs were Shiva worshippers before they converted to Sikhi.

They make music that sells. Next time they put out a "Panthic Album" or "Folk Album" go out and buy it. If Panthic and Folk albums make more money, then they will stop making the gandh posted by OP.

I love physics His accomplishment is noteworthy. 100 years before his time. However, mathematics isn't solid proof of anything. It's merely a prediction. You have to follow the math to see if it is true. Einstein's E = mc^2 was accepted true as a theory, but it was applied practically only recently. The most precise test of Einstein's theory was done in 2005. Let's wait and see if the Indian mathematician's theory works out, before we claim he solved anything.

Like humkire said, he should seek therapy. However, you want to know what you can do as a friend. It's the holiday season. There are homeless shelters and charities working for the less fortunate. You should both go and volunteer yourselves. Perhaps helping people less fortunate than him, will show him that God has not forsaken him.

Bichaara....lol What if he isn't joking? Scooter ji will end up with a baby bicycle.

There are so many homeless people in New York. I give them the change in my pocket whenever I have any, but the guy in the video goes above and beyond what I expected any kind hearted person to do. I am shocked and awed.