A three-day International Punjabi Conference is underway in Lahore.

The conference proceedings contain different segments, including discussion, research in and on Punjabi language, folk dances, songs, and theatrical performances.

On the first day on Wednesday, Ahmed Raza Punjabi of ‘Punjabi Parchar’ delivered his opening remarks, while Director General Punjab Institute of Language, Art and Culture Beenish Fatima Sahi and Ashok Bhaura from America welcomed the guests.

Eminent Writer Mustansar Hussain Tarar enlightened the audience with his keynote address.

In the discussion segment, panelists Mushtaq Sufi, Nain Sukh, and Zaheer Wattoo debated the topic of “Punjab: Conflicting narratives.” Dr Nabeela Rehman, Ibad Nabeel Shad, and Karamat Mughal discussed “Modern aspects in contemporary Punjabi literature,” while Dr Gurpreet Singh Dhugga (USA), Sukhi Bath (Canada), Amarjeet Singh (UK), and Ahmed Raza Punjabi (Pakistan) shed light on “The status of Punjabi language.”

Rakhshanda Naveed, Farwa Shafaqat, and Dr Shafaq presented their analyses on “Punjabi Women: Tradition of defiance and resistance,” while Masood Khalid, Dr Sughra Sadaf, and Kalyan Singh discussed “The philosophy of Baba Farid, Baba Nanak and Bulleh Shah.”

Besides, two research papers titled “Waris Shah’s society: Heer and runaway marriage” and Punjabi-Sanskrit Sanjh” were presented on the first day of the conference.  Punjabi folk dances like Bhangra, Giddah, Jhumar, and Dhamal were the special hallmarks of the event. Folk music and songs in Punjabi enthralled the audience.

The conference is being organized under the auspices of ‘Punjabi Parchar’ and Punjab Institute of Language, Art and Culture. Punjabi writers and intellectuals are participating in the conference from across the globe, including Pakistan, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.