In a traditional Lohri song about a folk hero, echoes of Punjab’s ongoing struggle for a fair deal The rebellion of Dulla Bhatti is a reminder of the region’s long history of agrarian protest – and its fight for justice. Jan 13, 2021 · 06:30 am Farmers burn copies of the recent agricultural reform laws and pictures of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as they celebrate Lohri festival on the outskirts of Amritsar on January 9. | Narinder Nanu/AFP
Each year on the Punjabi festival of Lohri, peanut shells fly into the bonfire, challenging the biting January cold. “Uddam aa, dalidarr jaa,” elders recite a couplet. “Dalidarr di jarh chulle paa!” Throw the very roots of apathy into the fire, may it be replaced by fiery effort! Youngsters dance to tunes they fancy but not before the customary call-and-response (“hoye!”) folk song about “Dulla Bhatti waala” – the legendary hero who led a rebellion against Mughal emperor Akbar.