Balle! balle! its punjabi dhaba theme..

I like dandiya, I like garba
But if you really wanna party
Throw your hands up and twist'em around
Do the bhangra everybody.....c'mon do the bhangra everybody..

We all start grooving and it feels like dancing when we hear punjabi music right? its so rejuvenating and full of life. yes, as you all must have guessed today's theme for our party is punjabi dhaba with feel of punjab. I am really excited about this punjabi theme, its nothing new and it doesnt even requires any description. This is a unique and beautiful style from the heart of punjab. They have their own style of dressing and speaking. Punjabi language is so well known and can be heard in our day to day life, sometimes we dont even realize.

Its become latest trend in bollywood to use punjabi language in many songs and movie dialogues. Not only just adapting the language, their fashion statement is also very popular among people. This theme bought lots of liveliness and madness to our potluck party.
Punjabi's are known as hardcore foodies, there love for food is well known. Punjabi cuisine has become so popular among people that many dhabas are opened which serve punjabi food with the feel. Every person at least once must have gone to dhaba and experienced the fantastic food and lovely ambiance. This theme was chosen by my friends to get the feel and touch of punjab through food, dress, language.

If you want to make it more real then you can decorate your room with few props to get the feel. Stick few kites on different corners of your wall, place few dry grass in the corners of your room if you can get and decorate with triangular flag mobiles all around the house. Arrange few different types of automobiles toys on the tables like auto, truck, lorry. If your guests are comfortable you can try placing mat on ground and arrange sitting on the floor. Done!You are all set for the party, now let me show you how you can talk and dress like a punjabi quickly.

Punjabi language:

Sat siri akal g, kee haal hai? meri gal suniya tussi, mere parati de vicara nu hai?  mere varaga pajabi vica gala musakala nahi hai. Kake, punjabi na toh chupchap aati hai na toh chup chap jate hai; samjheya si? Talking in punjabi is not that difficult, there are many famous and well known common phrases used. Some of them are funny, some of them are sweet, some of them say more than they should,some of them were spoken to us by our beloved ones, some by enemies. All you have to do is learn few of these basic phrases combine with hindi and done you can surprise your friends at party.

1. Tusi ta serious hi le gae ( come on, you took me seriously)
2. kade hass vi lia karo!! (please atleast smile)
3. tere dhid ch peeRh hundi aa, mein jo marzi karaaN
4. durr phittey munh (get lost)
5. mein kia chah shah banao, thand jae lagdi aa
6. Ik thapera mar key tey moonh torr dan ge. (I will break your face by one slap)
7. mera Sir( head, brain) na khaa ( Dont bother me)
8. Oye Khootya! (instead of khotay da putar!) 
9. hun daas! (what u say now?)
10. dekhya na! (see!!)
11. taino taan main kaya see! ( i told u!)
12. Kar lay jo karna aye! (Do whatever you like)
13. kee takleef ayee? (whats bothering u?)
14. sar na kha mera (dont bother me)
15. tere naal pyaar karta (i love you)
16. Oye kaka gul sun laya kuro...
17. O chul oye chul....
18. ParaN mur... ( go to hell)
19. Nawan ayaN aay sonya (you dont understand what i say)
20. O kalay moon alaaya... ( I hate u)

Punjabi style of dressing:

Punjabi boys and girls have their unique fashion statement simple and elegant. Girls with patyala and paranda where as boys wearing kurta and pagdi. All you need to have is kurta and patyala or just casual shirt with pagdi and say singh is king.

Punjabi dhaba food:

When we hear dhaba first thing that comes to our mind is thier mouth watering delicious food. Punjabi theme can not be complete with yummy food. Makke ki roti de sarson ka saag is the famous food heard most of the time. Not just this you can add more authentic punjabi food to your menu. Me and my friends chose chole bhature, samosa, tandoori chicken, chicken tikka with thandi thandi lassie along with warm soft gulab jamun. ah! yumm.. that was very delicious, you can try and add more dishes like butter chicken, dal makhni, palak paneer, tandoori, dal fry, aloo paratha, rajma chawal.. with jalebi, rabri, halwa, phirni. Basic idea is to make a complete thali. Choose your dishes accordingly.

Fun games for the party:

Punjabi haath nahi dekha kya? is the famous dialogue said to give the example of punjabi strength. So i have put together few games where everyone gets the chance to show off there strength.

1. Punja (arm wrestling): when we talk of strength first thing that comes to mind is punja where two player sit on the opposite ends of the table and while resting there elbows on the table bent. holding opposite players hand. aim is to put opponents hand down.

2. Tug of war: divide into two teams and you may need a rope . draw a line in between and start pulling the rope from each end. who ever crosses the line loses the game.

3. Ask your guest to say a joke in punjabi or you can just ask them to say a famous punjabi dialogue or sing.

Playing games depends on the space around you in the party, if you have outdoor party then you can try competition in flying kites, play kabaddi famous sport of punjab.

Punjabi music:

No party is complete without music. Play some punjabi hit bollywood numbers and you guests cant stop themselves from shaking their leg. In between play a punjabi bhangda beats and just do bhangda. Because it all about having fun right. I have listed few songs, you can use them in case you have difficulty finding them.

1. Nagada nagada from jab we met.
2. Punjabi wedding song from hasee toh phasi.
3. Havan karenge from bhag milka bhag
4. Rafta rafta from namaste london
5. Pataka kudi from highway
6. Angrezi beat from cocktail
7. Sadi gali from tannu weds mannu
8. Gur naalon ishq mita
9. Singh is king from singh is king
10. Loung da laskara from patiala house
11. Gal mitti mitti bol from aisha
12. Mauja hi mauja from jab we met
13. Mai to ayvi ayvi lut gaya from band baja barat.

All this makes a perfect plan for a punjabi theme party. So are you all guys ready to be a true punjabi... 

DIY Colorful Wall art for living room

The idea of this art came up with the shells i collected from the beach this summer. I collected few shells in different shapes and sizes now all i wanted was to arrange them on something to make a beautiful art piece. Then this absolutely brilliant idea struck my mind of making an abstract colorful art on the piece of cardboard that would look absolutely bright and beautiful on my wall. Those tiny shells may not be clearly seen from far but beautiful colors it got may definitely attract one to come watch closely. Making this does not require much of talent and art. All you need is colorful papers and few random things may be funny junk but could look good when put together. Fill out the edges of your art with colorful fans like i did and you are the creator of this master piece...

Things Required:

-Cardboard

-Different colorful papers
-Shells/random decorative stuff
-Tape
-Glue
-Scissors
-Push pin

Directions:

1. Randomly cut different color papers into small bits.

2. Simultaneously cut small circles of different colors.

3.Apply glue all over the card board and stick out a color paper you love as background i chose purple.
4. Apply glue on bits of paper and start sticking on the paper and dont worry about the proper lining. stick randomly.
5. When you are done sticking whole cardboard. Stick circles from back like applying border just as shown in the figure.

6. Now with the help of the glue stick shells. If you do not have shells then simple plain abstract art would work.
7. Now when your done with the center piece lets start making the fans.
8. Cut the paper five times as tall as you desire, use different sizes and start pleating the paper into an accordion fold. Pleats should be half an inch wide and all of same size
9. Fold from the center and stick each side of the corner with glue to make a circle.
10. Make as many as you need. I made 6 circular fans of different size and matched and wall clock with it. You can try something else, be creative and make your own creations.
11. Carefully with the help of pushpin or even a nail if you got hang the center piece on the wall.
12. Arrange randomly all the paper circles we made around it leaving space. Stick with tape.
13. You are done take a picture and share...

New murder mystery party theme

Bored of routine parties and want to try some thing new and trilling. Then here it is, "Murder mystery party"; yes, you heard it right "murder" mystery. This is an interesting party game getting very popular these days. At my recent potluck we had this theme and it was a huge hit, every one loved and enjoyed playing it. From the name " murder mystery party" you must have got the idea there is a murder and a mystery that is to be solved. Now i'l tell you in detail what this game actually is and how this is to be played and hosted.

As you know this is a murder mystery party. During the party each guest will be playing the role of a crew member assigned by the host. The level of success and enjoyment will naturally vary depending on the presentation of your guests and their level of acting talent. If you still are confused about the theme then i will explain in more detail, murder occurs either during the course of the dinner or before the party begins. There are specific number of characters in the story to match the size of your group with background information, costume instructions. Each guest receives a detailed character description in their invitation along with some information on the party and after the act is done, murderer is guessed by all the guests. Here are the guided steps about the game to every one on how to proceed the party.

Steps on how to play this party game:

1. Each guest receives a detailed character description in their invitation along with some background information on the party.

2. Guests arrive at the party.

3. Host reads the introduction.

4. Guests receives a prepared envelope with the information and objective.

5. Murder occurs.

6. Investigator reads and helps on how to proceed where each guest plays their part. 

7. Investigator presents evidences.

8. Host hands out accusation list guessing the murderer along with best dressed and best acting is judged.

9. Murderer is revealed.

10. Person who correctly guesses the murderer and gets max points wins the game.

Well  as you all guys must have understood the party theme. Prize is given at the end of the game to the person who correctly guesses the killer this will keep the sporting spirit in guests. Now all you need is a good script or story to play. You can find few readily available on the internet or you can write your own murder mystery. Writing a story is not so difficult you have to keep few points in mind. Here are few things that may help you write your own mystery

How to write a murder mystery:

1. Choose some specific scenario of the story like it is based in casino or masquerade party.

2. Build your characters according to your guests.

3. Write a main motive for the murder. Make sure every character may be very vague but  

should have a motive to kill the victim.

4. Plot few clues that may lead to the killer and few that may confuse.

5. Build background stories and objectives for each guest to finish either before murder or after the murder.

6. Finally prepare an invitation for your guest. and your all set for the party.

 I will share my murder mystery script which was a huge hit at my recent potluck with my friends in my next post. I have a group of 8 so i wrote my mystery according to my guest which is movie based with characters like actor, actress, director, producer. If you like the concept and have no time to write the story check my other post for full story with character descriptions and objectives. Very interesting story that all your guest will have fun. Do check my next post.