Getting to know Punjabi Bhasha Mela

Kulim debating was one of the participants at the regional level Punjabi Bhasha Mela 2012. Now, we are all set for national-level Punjabi Bhasha Mela 2012. It is happeing on June 2-3 at APIIT College in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur. What happens at a Bhasha Mela? Here’s some information on the individual and team events.

INDIVIDUAL ITEMS

Shudh paath:

The youngest (lower primary) will recite Japji Sahib, the upper primary Anand Sahib, lower secondary Asa ki Vaar and upper secondary will recite from the sanchiaa of Guru Granth Sahib.

In the past years, the participants have shown a good ability to read Gurbani.

Sakhi/kahaani (story telling):

Primary students tell stories of their own choice.

Bhashan (elocution):

Secondary students deliver speeches on topics given to them before they come to the competition. Most of them speak without referring to notes.

Tatkaali peshkaari (impromptu speeches):

Primary and secondary students deliver speeches on topics given to them 10 minutes before the competition. Teachers are not allowed to assist them. You will be amazed with the quality of presentations.

Kavita (poetry recital):

Primary and secondary students recite poems of their own chosing.

Sun ke jawab likhnaa (Listening comprehension)

Students listen to a recorded passage in Punjabi and answer questions on an answer sheet. Their listening skills are put to a test here.

TEAM ITEMS

  

Ajj di taza khabar (Today’s Fresh News):

A secondary school boy-girl team reads out news. The new items are given to them 30min before they go live.  They decide how they present, who goes first, and how their interchange.

Shudh akhar jorh (Spelling bee):

The three-member primary level teams compete on their spelling prowess. First, they get easier words. The competition then heats up with bigger and more difficult words or phrases.

Prashnotri (Quiz):

What do call a fan in Punjabi? That could be one of the questions in quiz, at the early level. It gets tougher. They are also tested on their Gurmat knowledge. There is one round on muhaveray (idioms and proverbs).  Fan is pekhaa in Punjabi.

Behas (debate):

Naujawanaa dey jiwan sathi dhi chon maapiaa nu karni chahidi hay. Parents should select children’s marriage partners. The teams will debate on this topic for the first round. In round two, they will debate on the usage of Facebook.

If you have the time, check out the competition.

[MORE at Sabha Facebook, Punjabi Bhasha Mela Facebook page and/or the April 2012 issue of The Sikh]