More than 100,000,000 people speak Punjabi. It is the most widely spoken language in Pakistan and is spoken by more than 30 million people in India. Fariduddin Ganjshakar is generally recognized as the first major poet of the Punjabi language The Sikh religion originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region and Punjabi is the predominant language spoken by Sikhs.
Punjabi is also the language of Bhangra!
Punjabi music and culture is very popular today throughout the world. Bhangra music and dancing has become a vibrant cultural phenomenon in the US and many other countries. Punjabi has always been an integral part of Indian cinema. Punjabi pop and folk songs are very popular both in India and Pakistan. Punjabi literature is also growing in popularity with many students both in South Asia and the West.
Punjabi is offered at the beginning and intermediate levels and Cornell students are able to pursue Punjabi language study through and beyond the Cornell Arts & Sciences college language requirement.
Instructor: Dr. Sandeep Singh Chohan, ss2343@colmbia.edu.
*This course is part of the Shared Course Initiative and will be taught from Columbia University using videoconferencing technology. For more information, contact Angelika Kraemer at ak2573@cornell.edu.
