On the first day of the festival, a display of Phulkaris and Baags in diverse and vibrant hues and patterns was organised inside the Museum of Rural Life of Punjab. The display provided a colourful rustic ambience to the compound of the museum.

A bride draped in a Phulkari sat inside a wedding chariot. Various depictions, including a bhathi wali (parching lady), washer women, kitchen maid, etc. created a scene of traditional rural Punjab. A lohri bonfire also adored the scene. A group of young girls sang trinjan songs, while working at charkhas (wheel). The guests were offered a traditional welcome by girls in their conventional Punjabi attires, by dropping mustard oil on the threshold and distributing gur (jaggery) pieces among the present ones. Floral tributes were paid at the portrait of Dr Randhawa after lighting the inaugural lamp.

In his inaugural address, the PAU Vice-Chancellor, Dr Manjit Singh Kang said that Punjab was known internationally for its rich culture, heritage and way of life, adding that our younger generations ought to be familiarized with this richness. He appreciated the organisers of Phulkari festival for projecting the richness of Punjabi and Punjabiat, adding that it was a true tribute to the legendary Dr Randhawa, who was a strong promoter of the same. Dr Kang said that the Museum of Rural Life of Punjab was a landmark on the PAU campus and that efforts would be made to enrich its grandeur further. He said that Phulkari festival would be an annual event of the university. An exhibition showing contemporary use of Phulkari was held on the occasion.

To provide the museum a musical ambience, a recently installed music system was inaugurated by Dr Kang. As he pressed the button to inaugurate the music system, the air was filled with the melodious rendering of the famous Punjabi song ‘Aj koi saaday vehrhay aaya, ni aj koi saaday vehrhay aaya …’ in the voice of Surinder Kaur.

According to Dr Neelam Grewal, Dean, College of Home Science, PAU, a competition on Phulkari articles and embroidery would be organised tomorrow at 10 a.m. in which participants from different parts of the state would take part. The concluding function will take place in the Wheat Auditorium at 2.30 p.m. on the same day.

According to Dr Jagtar Singh Dhiman, Additional Director of Communication, such events will be organised on the campus every year and the colleges from various parts of the state would also be involved. Dr Dhiman further said that a document had been planned for the museum and that the Phulkari festival inaugurated today would be recorded in the form of a video presentation.