When someone says Basant, the first thing to creep in a Lahori mind is kites. Lahore can unarguably be listed among the most lively cities through out the world. It is blended with a rich culture and Basant being a showcase of it. Basant is a once in a year event celebrated in Punjab and perhaps has turned out to be the most controversial event in our history. Many thoughts are put forward regarding Basant’s origin. One is that Hindus used to celebrate Basant as their religious activity. The other being that it is celebrated to bid good-bye to winter and as a reception to spring. Many people try to mix Basant with religion, which on the other hand has been a custom of Punjab. So putting behind the controversies regarding Basant’s origin let me give you all an insight of it.

Basant is also a month in Punjabi calendar and is one of the raags of classical music too. A famous phrase is associated with this event "Basant – Paala urant". It means that with the arrival of Basant, Cold disappears which is true too. Basant is celebrated in February in Lahore. The time when spring steps in and winter is concluding. For me spring is the king of all seasons. The feel of blooming trees, enchanting flowers and falling hearts. The urge in man to fly in skies is one of the reasons of kite flying. It gives you a chance to feel the ascent of air and freedom to move your kite as you want to. The pleasure of a combat with your everyday rivals in skies is just too much. Perhaps, it is the reason that kite flying is getting more popular day by day as compared to other traditional pass times which are almost obsolete now. The event is celebrated among masses regardless of sex, caste, creed, sect and religion. From the past decade this event had also undergone some revolutions.

The most noticeable one is Basant night. There was no such thing if you look fifteen years back. Basant night is held on Saturday night. City is all illuminated with search and floodlights. People spend whole night on roofs while eating, singing, dancing and flying kites. White kites are specially made for Basant night, as they are more visible in darkness. Fireworks are also a major part of Basant night. It seems that Lahore never sleeps that specific night. One who has not seen Basant night at Lahore can assume it as another Chaand raat. Endless screams of "Bo Kata" keep rocking the atmosphere. Sky is flooded with white kites. It seems that many fairies are flying in air above us.

Then their comes the most awaited time of the event, The Basant Day. People after taking a nap of three or four hours get up in morning and again set themselves to be a part of the happenings. Nobody wants to miss a bit of Basant. Everyone sets himself on the roofs to watch and participate as the spring winds whip brilliantly colored diamond shaped paper kites into the air in such quantities that you can barely see the sky above. Yellow color has a special association with Basant. It denotes the color of Brassica (Sarson), the crop cultivated in spring. Ladies prepare special yellow dresses for Basant. Sky is filled with kites of enormous colors and shapes. It all portrays a beautiful scene. Big kites are flown to conclude the event on Sunday eve in addition to a show of fireworks hence summing up thirty hours of non-stop celebrations of which almost every Lahori was a part. The city gives a totally different impression and mood during Basant.

Music is the essential part of Basant. You can hear beats of dhol from almost every nook of the city and it seems that these beats are one's heartbeats. Bhangra being the traditional dance of Punjab is a popular way to set rhythm. Corporates and individuals hold musical nights. Every year artists prepare special songs for Basant which are telecast on Television channels throughout the season.

The other revolution being done to this beautiful event is commercialism. Basant is no more just an event. It has turned into a exhibition of money and class. All multinationals hold Basant fairs, Food Street being the major arena this time. All hotels get booked many days before. Even one of my guest was unable to get an extension in his stay as his room was advanced booked for Saturday and Sunday for someone else. Lahore hosts a lot of guests from in and out of the country every year on the occasion of Basant. The commercialism has somehow contaminated this sole occurrence.

The real celebrations of Basant are observed in the older part of the city. Mochi gate, Shairanwala gate, Bhatti gate, Delhi gate, Lohari gate, Shah Almi and Laxmi chowk are considered prime locations to see the genuine spirit of Basant. Some natives of these parts of Lahore send kites and dors as Basant just like Eidie to their daughters in-laws, which explains how deep this event is rooted in this city's foundations.

Government involvement in Basant celebrations has increased the interest and duration of Basant. Punjab Government with the help of major commercial groups are doing Canal Mela, Food Festivals, Shopping festival, National Horse and Tattoo Show and Bahar festival at different places in city. The celebrations will be continued in March too and this whole saga is named as Spring Festival 2001 (Jashan-e-Baharaan).

The bitter part of the picture comes after reading the news in next morning newspapers that some people were killed and injured in accidents. WAPDA too suffers a great lose every year due to damage done to power supplying equipment by metallic wire used by some kite fliers. From the past some years Punjab Government used to impose act 144 during Basant, which helps police to arrest people playing loud music and keeping weapons. The situation has been very good this year as Police performed their duties tirelessly. Throughout the event they kept a very effective check.

Kite making has turned into a full time industry. According to a survey about 12000 people in Lahore are associated with kite making by some means. Another estimate has concluded that in Lahore the kite business generated about 6 billion rupees of revenue. This is the amount moved from rich to poor as this business is conducted by lower class of community. In February, if you go to any service station, departmental store or food chain, you will be presented with kites on purchases. Every year Basant left us with great regrets. Due to violation of safety measures, many people get injured. WAPDA suffer a heavy loss and power failure is observed in almost every part of the city. May we all hope that a sense of caring and literacy gets developed in all of us and I pray that such painful and sad happenings get vanished out of this festive of color, music, food and amour. Now that Lahore is finished with Basant, the fever is traveling to other cities of Punjab like Gujranwala, Kasoor, Faisalabad etc. But the fact is that Basant is celebrated nowhere as it is done in Lahore just for one good reason as this event is filled with an instinct known as Lahori spirit, which you can't find anywhere else.

May Allah always bestow his blessings upon this beautiful country.

Long Live The Events which bring joy and happiness to community.

Long Live The Spirit Of Lahore

Long Live Pakistan (Ameen)

Credits :-
Written and Compiled by Farrukh Ali
Suggestions by Rehana Ahmed

Photographic courtesies by :-
Mr. Khalid (Daily Din), Mr. Aslam (LCCI), Dr. Shaukat Mehmood (Maxum),
Mr. Aamir Chaari (Photo Point)