The cultural change in any society is one that can’t be avoided. Time and again there has tobe instances that are path breaking and lead to the situations that ultimately are the buildingblocks of a new norm or cultural practice. One can’t remain unperturbed with thedevelopments in the society, whether at superficial or ground level. If one remains static tothese developments, that person is bound to be left behind and labelled as a person sufferingfrom ‘generation gap’ syndrome. PUNJABI CULTURE – THE RICHEST There is nothing more appropriate than to quote first Nobel laureate of India, Rabindra NathTagore, “Similar to Germany in Europe, Tigris – Euphrates valley in Western Asia, Chineseplains in Eastern Asia, our Punjab is one of those tracts on the surface of the earth, where thestreams of history flowed with full vigour. Punjab is that beautiful piece of land on the skiesof which the first day of morn sprouted, in the forests of which sacred hymns echoed for thefirst time, on the surface of which was born the first civilized man of India and on the bosomof which the Indian culture originated.” In fact, the Indus valley civilisation is believed to be older than even the culture of Vedicperiod. While the Vedic Aryans were rural, the people of this valley possessed the amenitiesof a developed city life. The history of Punjab till the 10th century A.D reveals that not only it played significant rolein the life history of India but also acted as a confluence for many people and cultures of Asiaand South Eastern Europe. To quote Sher Singh Gupta, “It became a cockpit and confluence in which there was anunending amalgamation of communities and cultures resulting in a broad, pragmatic,experimental and utilitarian outlook and a robust common sense. Throughout this period,Punjab acted as the sentinel of India. Punjab is no doubt can be considered as the hub of the epicentre of the culture and traditions that are earthy and originally indigenous. But the story is rather has a flip side too. The deterioration of the culture that we take pride inis fast being shunned by the new generation and are standing at bay from getting enrichedwith them. As we are moving ahead in the 21st century, the western culture is taking its toll on the richand golden pure culture that has prevailed since the time immemorial. Looking at thedifferent constituents of our culture one by one, it will be evident that we are losing out thethings that are to be cherished by every Punjabi. FOLK CULTURE – WHO IS INTERESTED? • FOLK SONGS : Lok Geets are the body and soul of Punjab. They form the very base of our Punjabi culture and there is one for every occasion. Punjabi people, true to their reputation of being jovial, sang songs that are particularly for some specific momentsof life. For the joyous flight of birds, of bustle of grown crops, of dark blossomednights, all had a specific one for them. They are ageless and none can boast ofauthorship for any of them. But the new generation of Punjabi people present a pathetic picture in reference tothese earthy songs. Sadly, they don’t hum these songs anymore, and it will not bewrong to say that they may not even know what the song means and on what occasionit is played on. A folk song is essentially a subjective expression of emotions, wellingup from the depths of the heart. To add to the woes, even older people, who have lived and seen it all, are also nottaking keen interest to pass on the legacy to the new generations. They have alwaysbeen involved in thinking about the ideas of minting money and leading a luxuriouslife. Moving to the foreign shores has a great role in enhancing this process