Explained: ‘Tibbeyan da putt’ and the Moosewala connection

Tibbeyan da putt: The phrase & Punjab’s geography

The phrase ‘tibbe’ used each in Punjabi and Hindi primarily refers to sand dunes or hills, on a stretch of land that’s not levelled.

In Punjab, the Malwa belt comprising south-western districts akin to Bathinda, Mansa, Fazilka, Muktsar and a few elements of Faridkot and Ferozepur – was as soon as identified for sand dunes or ‘ret ke tibbe’, because of the semi-arid and scorching, desert-like weather conditions. Attributable to much less rainfall, uneven land, sandy soil and poor sources of irrigation, the land right here was practically infertile and besides a couple of crops akin to cotton, millets, sarson (mustard) and chickpea, nothing a lot was grown right here. Farmers right here had a troublesome life. These areas lacked improvement and even primary amenities.

“All the stretch from Bathinda, Mansa to Fazilka, with proximity to Rajasthan and a few elements of Haryana, was coated in sand dunes, even until 4 a long time again. Agriculture right here was tough and life of individuals very robust. Whilst wheat was grown in some pockets, paddy was negligible as a result of there was no water and soil was sandy. So once we say ‘tibbeyan di dharti’ (the land of sand dunes), we primarily check with Bathinda, Mansa and Fazilka in Punjab the place life was laborious even until a couple of a long time again as a result of land was not fertile. Even after the emergence of the Inexperienced Revolution, it took a number of years for correct canal water and different sources to succeed in these districts. Slowly and steadily, the land turned cultivable however even now, few areas in Bathinda and Mansa nonetheless have tibbe,” says Jaswinder Singh Brar, plant safety officer, Moga.

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Dr O P Chaudhary, head of soil science division, Punjab Agricultural College (PAU), mentioned that ‘tibbe’ or sand dunes go away the land undulating and the soil in these districts was sandy and coarse, making cultivation tough. “Most areas had been below brackish water and sandy soil. Farmers began flattening sand dunes after which water, higher forms of seeds, irrigation, fertilizers and so forth made land right here cultivable,” he mentioned.

The Moosewala join, the battle

Sidhu Moosewala belonged to Moosa village of Sardulgarh block in Mansa district, one of the backward districts within the state the place the land as soon as was fully coated in sand dunes. Although he was identified for his songs that glorified weapons and violence, in his tune ‘Tibbeyan da putt’ he wrote about how he rose from a particularly backward village to change into one of the common singer-rappers with hundreds of thousands of followers worldwide.

He wrote: “Ho maarhi Jatt di hind kude, mera tibbeyan de vich pind kude. Aaha Bollywood star kude, pair dharde meriyan paidan te (The stubbornness of a Jatt is dangerous, my village is amid the sand dunes. These Bollywood stars additionally comply with my footsteps)”.

He additionally defined his humble household background within the tune, writing, “Koi vaddey khaas gharaney nahi, nikleyaan bastiyan pinda chon ni (We don’t belong to any influential household, I’ve risen from a small village)”.

(Supply: Fb)

Moosewala’s shut buddies keep in mind how he was extraordinarily pleased with his life in his village and highlighted the identical in his songs. “Whereas different singers boasted of luxurious automobiles and the glitz of metropolis life, he made folks of rural Punjab stars in his songs. He was in love with weapons, agriculture, tractors and the easy life he lived together with his mother and father within the village. Regardless of selling weapons in his songs, why he’s being extraordinarily beloved and remembered is as a result of he took delight in his rural, Punjabi roots. Making villagers the heroes, he introduced Punjabi rural life on the world map by way of his songs,” mentioned his shut buddy.

A meteoric rise, relevance of the time period

Some individuals of their tribute to Moosewala wrote “Tibbeyan da putt, tibbeyan ch hello rall gaya (He was the son of the soil and soil he has change into now)” and “Ohnu tibbeyan da putt hun tey maan si. (He was pleased with being the son of the soil)”.

Surjit Singh, professor, Punjabi division, Punjabi College, Patiala says that folks, particularly farmers of Punjab who lived in these districts the place land was coated in ‘tibbe’, had a tough life and the expression is extensively utilized in literature and music to represent their battle.

“Since there was no cultivation and hardly any improvement in these areas, folks right here struggled and lived a tough life. Their lifestyle was very abnormal and consuming habits quite simple. They didn’t even have many selections of their meals as crops had been restricted. It’s principally the writers and singers who’ve emerged from Malwa belt who’ve used ‘tibbe’ of their writings whereas describing their childhoods and struggles they confronted. Whereas sand dunes and deserts are principally related to Rajasthan, this a part of Punjab was additionally as soon as identified for sand dunes and harsh life,” he mentioned.

Moosewalla performing on the youth fest when he was a pupil at GNDEC Ludhiana. (Supply: Fb)

In an interview, Moosewala had mentioned that he belonged to a village that didn’t even have entry to a bus. Speaking of his mother and father’ battle, he mentioned that his father was a driver within the Military and his eardrums had been punctured in an accident. “It was a giant deal for me once I reached GNDEC Ludhiana to pursue engineering as a result of youths from my district hardly ever attain faculty,” he had mentioned.

“He used to take delight that he reached faculty. His mom used to sew garments and run a small faculty in order that he may get an excellent training. On the primary day of faculty, he had bought garments in his father’s Military trunk and all of us who belonged to the town, had made enjoyable of him. From 4th customary onwards, he would cycle for at the least 22 kms to succeed in faculty as a result of his mother and father couldn’t afford a van. Even after getting injured in an accident whereas within the Military, his father stored working in order that Sidhu may get training. He turned Sidhu Moosewala from Shubhdeep Singh however that humbleness at all times stayed due to his rural roots. He worshipped his mother and father, agriculture, weapons and village. He didn’t transfer overseas and didn’t go away his mother and father alone regardless of all fame and cash,” mentioned his shut buddy.

“He used to plough his land on his personal with a tractor, practise kheti (farming) and supported farmers of their protest in opposition to three farm legal guidelines,” the buddy added.

Moosewalla whereas campaigning for the Punjab elections. (Supply: Fb)

The literary join

Eminent Punjabi writers from Malwa belt akin to Balwant Gargi (from Bathinda) and Ram Saroop Ankhi (from Barnala) have extensively used the phrase ‘tibbe’ of their writings whereas describing their lives and that of individuals in sandy, desert-like areas of Punjab which had been as soon as coated in sand dunes and lumps. Gargi’s writings ‘Kakki Ret’ and ‘Balde Tibbe’ are remembered even at the moment. “Writers are at all times impressed by what they see, the place they dwell and what they undergo. ‘Tibbe’ had been an everlasting a part of writings of Malwa-based writers until lives turned higher and these areas turned greener,” says Gurbhajan Singh Gill, a Punjabi poet.

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