An oft-repeated refrain in modern Sikh circles is that the positives of Punjabi life come from Sikhi, and the negatives from Punjabi culture.

The more you look into both, the more you realize that good or bad, most aspects of Punjabi culture are somehow influenced by Sikhi.

And often the differentiation between the good and the bad varies based on what ideology the viewer subscribes to.

Many may believe that manmat is kundiyan mucchan, drinking, a love for the lavish- but these all seem to trace back to the Misls and the grandeur of Sikh Raj.

Many believe that bhangra and giddha are not acceptable practices for a Sikh, but some boliyan seem to indicate it is a lot more complicated. Thread on this: https://twitter.com/bijjaichhand/status/1386073079445475329

The “good” parts of Punjabi culture are quickly connected to Sikhi, the kirat on the fields, bhagti in the mornings, bravery in the battlefields.

And there are definitely some “bad” things that have no place in Sikh culture, like kurimaar and extreme caste pride.

One thing is forsure, although things that are often called “manmat” are fine in moderation; modern mass-consumed Punjabi culture has made them the insignias and put Sikhi in the backseat.

In my opinion there is nothing wrong with having kundiyan mucchan and doing bhangra.

But when one makes this the basis of their identity instead of imbibing the Sikh values behind it, that’s a problem.

On the other hand, the links severed between the two seem to have been done by certain schools during Singh Sabha, so who does the blame really lie with.