Basant 2002

It was a night the stars were made to disappear by the urban radiance of Lahore. Lights, floodlights, heavy-duty music decks, and adorned balconies and roofs filled with young and old all stared at the sky for the entire night with religious-like obedience. No other festival is celebrated with as much vigor, with as much participation.

Most people claim that this over-bursting of energy for the spring festival is a result of the current government’s policy of encouraging local cultures. The prior governments tended to emphasize ‘caution’ and seemed to give the feeling that Basant was an unnecessary festival predominantly in Lahore but one that was not possible to do away with.

Nowadays, PTV is promoting it on an all-Pakistan level with long hours dedicated to the coverage of the event.

There is no doubt that the Lahori millions have emerging competitors in the residents of such cities as Kasur and Gujranwala (though Gujranwala residents are cheaters as they fly kites with ‘chemical strings’) and even Faisalabad. Despite the promotions, it remains to be seen to what degree the festival spreads beyond northeastern Punjab areas of Pakistan.

Many accuse Basant of being a festival that is a commercial waste, un-Islamic, Indian, life threatening, and causes power cuts that destroy home electronics etc. As such these accusations are merely an excuse by those who clearly would like to do away with the festival- maybe because they never got a chance to fly kites or were not good at it but for arguments sake, let’s examine some of these accusations against Basant.

Un-Islamic: True. Basant has nothing to do with Islam.
Commercial waste: True.
Life-threatening: True
Destroys electronics: True

It’s Indian: Those claming Basant is an Indian festival seem to be rapidly dwindling in numbers and nearing extinction. Quite possibly due to increasingly being ignored by the overwhelming population. The only things Indian about the night of February 16th (Basant eve) were the soundtracks of Bollywood movies. They lent nicely to the festive mood.

Competing with all the other songs was Abrar-ul-Haq confirming once again that he has the pulse of the nation in his lyrics and music. He has just released his fourth album and as usual, the rooftops gave him plenty of exposure. In the out-lying areas of Lahore district with a larger preference for doses of Punjabi, Abrar’s new album reigned supreme thanks to the distributors of the album who had over-loaded each audio shop with his tapes prior to the event.

A true indicator of a worth of a festival is just how badly no one wants to be left from the proceedings.

Since Basant has also incorporated Eid-like or New Year-like preparations such as new clothes being prepared or bought, special dishes cooked, an excuse for an ‘occasion’ to consume alcohol etc. etc., there are plenty of people who jump on to the commercial bandwagon to make money. For example, shops selling car spare parts load themselves with kites and many fruit sellers substitute fruits and begin selling kites on their carts for a few days.

But an even better indicator is the attitude of the police who become very active in patrolling the streets and highways infested with suicidal Lahoris chasing flying objects.

This writer and his friends’ car was stopped by a Toyota Hilux police pick-up in the late morning hours of the 17th (official Basant day) and were accused of engaging in a traffic violation since there were four people sitting in the rear seat. Clearly the policeman was not interested in the valid car documents or the license of the driver nor any other document of identity for the issuance of a ticket. All that was out rightly refused and the initial protest by the occupants at the police ‘pickiness’ were dropped for a more suitable method.

The person driving the car made the policeman an offer he didn’t refuse: a 50 rupee note. Quickly placing it between his papers, the policeman remarked,

‘Bus! Ainee jee gal see’ (See, that is all it takes).

There was an exchange of smiles between the occupants of the car and the policeman and his partner as well as between those who stopped to watch the proceedings. The brief moment of contentment begged the question as to why there are statements in the press claiming a complete lack of understanding between the police and the civil population.

As the policeman began to walk toward his pick-up, the writer blurted out,

‘Basant Mubarak!’

But the policeman did not respond in kind nor did he look back. Maybe he did not hear.