Punjabis and Art (rant)
Why aren’t there many artists from Punjabi backgrounds in various fields, whether it’s painting, writing, singing, or acting? While there are a few notable exceptions, the numbers are still relatively small. Even within our homes, there’s little focus on cultivating unique cultural specialties; much of what we have is borrowed from other cultures.
In the field of painting, I can't even name a single prominent Punjabi painter. In writing, we have a few figures like Shiv Batalvi, Chetan Bhagat, and Paash, but not many others. In acting, aside from Dharmendra, there aren’t many prominent names. We also lack major directors, screenwriters, or influential figures in the film industry.
This issue runs deep. We don't have high-quality content creators either—most of the content produced is either shallow or cringeworthy, with little originality. I can’t name a single Punjabi content creator whose work I follow, be it on YouTube or Instagram.
Even in music, much of it sounds the same. While I understand that a lot of artists are making commercial music for the masses, there’s no one creating real art. Artists in other parts of India are producing albums with strong concepts, deeper meanings, intricate album covers, and even Easter eggs and references. But what do we have? Simple portraits of artists with the album name—nothing more.
What concerns me is that people don’t seem to take this issue seriously. I understand that there are bigger problems in society, but the lack of genuine artistry in Punjabi culture is rarely addressed. We don't have artists who are creating work that truly reflects our culture or showcases it in an innovative way.
I hope my point comes across clearly.
Why aren’t there many artists from Punjabi backgrounds in various fields, whether it’s painting, writing, singing, or acting? While there are a few notable exceptions, the numbers are still relatively small. Even within our homes, there’s little focus on cultivating unique cultural specialties; much of what we have is borrowed from other cultures.
In the field of painting, I can't even name a single prominent Punjabi painter. In writing, we have a few figures like Shiv Batalvi, Chetan Bhagat, and Paash, but not many others. In acting, aside from Dharmendra, there aren’t many prominent names. We also lack major directors, screenwriters, or influential figures in the film industry.
This issue runs deep. We don't have high-quality content creators either—most of the content produced is either shallow or cringeworthy, with little originality. I can’t name a single Punjabi content creator whose work I follow, be it on YouTube or Instagram.
Even in music, much of it sounds the same. While I understand that a lot of artists are making commercial music for the masses, there’s no one creating real art. Artists in other parts of India are producing albums with strong concepts, deeper meanings, intricate album covers, and even Easter eggs and references. But what do we have? Simple portraits of artists with the album name—nothing more.
What concerns me is that people don’t seem to take this issue seriously. I understand that there are bigger problems in society, but the lack of genuine artistry in Punjabi culture is rarely addressed. We don't have artists who are creating work that truly reflects our culture or showcases it in an innovative way.
I hope my point comes across clearly.