Teacher Makes Learning Punjabi a Fun Ride

That the kids today pay more attention to music than the written word is a grudge shared by teachers and parents alike. A local teacher, however, has exploited this very trait to teach the younger generation a language that is fast losing popularity with them – Punjabi. Karamjit Singh Grewal, also a recorded singer and award-winning author, has created a song ‘Aao Punjabi Sikhiyen’ that makes learning ‘Uda Aida’ a fun ride. The song is now a recorded single that is rising the popularity index by the day.

A Still from the video ‘Aao Punjabi Sikhiyen

This innovative effort to teach i  kind in the state. Karamjit, who teaches at Government High School Kheri Jhameri, says he always felt disappointed and troubled with the way his students entered the classes. 

“Reluctant, crying and sometimes howling. This is how the little students often entered the school. I then came up with this idea knowing how kids today are fond of music and videos. I hoped music would arouse their interest in learning and it worked,” says the 35-year-old who has been teaching at various levels for a decade-and-a-half now.

Karamjit Grewal with his students

Ehde Akhar ne Iktali
Gurra Piran ne jo Pali
Sadi Boli Bhaggan Wali
Uda Uda Uda
Maa Boli Punjabi de Naal Rishta Sada Gurha

This is how the lyrics go, weaving all the 41 alphabets of Punjabi Varnamala. Karamjit narrated them to the students in the form of ‘Boliyan’; his effort was supported by Headmistress Harjinder Kaur. The song was an instant hit and, seeing the warm response, local music company GPM Studio approached the teacher and recorded the lyrics into a song. 
This is how the lyrics go, weaving all the 41 alphabets of Punjabi Varnamala. 

Karamjit narrated them to the students in the form of ‘Boliyan’; his effort was supported by Headmistress Harjinder Kaur. The song was an instant hit and, seeing the warm response, local music company GPM Studio approached the teacher and recorded the lyrics into a song. 

“The five-minute song released contains the first five alphabets till Haha. We plan to release the rest of the song in turns,” says Karamjit. The song has been on air on major Punjabi music channels ever since it released a couple of weeks ago. The video of the song was shot at the school Karamjit teaches in and features his students.

Karamjit, who hails from village Lalton, has a number of recorded singles to his credit; his lyrics are often about social causes such as female foeticide. A recipient of the best teacher award in 2009 by the state, Karamjit has penned seven children books so far. His debut book of children’s plays in 2005 won Best Children Literature Award from Punjabi Sahitya Akademi.