International Women’s Day was celebrated across the country in many different ways, but, in the Parbat, the day was celebrated in an unusual, albeit a very much local way.

Women’s Day celebrations, hosted by Radio Didi Bahini Parbat, gathered thousands of women from the region and they celebrated by singing folk songs that portrayed their daily struggles. Participants were divided into 42 groups and they performed their respective compositions that were focused on the challenges of being a woman. As many as 10,000 women gathered to witness the event and were enthusiastically clapping and cheering to support the performing groups. Women were seen tapping their feet to the song:

Aaba agi badne ho nari ni,

Kati bokne ghas ko bhari ni.

This song, Ama Samuha ka Mahila, was all about struggles of living in patriarchal society—something all participants could relate to.

In this contemporary society, where folk songs are losing their value, these folk festivals are bringing back folk songs to life. Women who participated in the event also expressed their gratitude regarding the significance of such festivals and how it brings women from diverse backgrounds together to share their experiences—good and bad.

Speaking during the event,

chairperson of Janajagaran Aama Samuha of Deupur, Parbat said, “These events help us to protect and promote our folk culture, so, for

this very reason, we should organise more of such events.”  

The event which kicked off on Sunday ended on Wednesday with the awarding of cash prizes to winning teams. First prize winner received Rs 10,000 while second and third received Rs 7,000 and Rs 5,000 respectively.