Punjab’s history is not only in the language of kings, battles, and empires – it is also in poetry and song. For centuries, the Punjabi villages have carried qisse – ballads, passed from one generation to the next by wandering poets, folk singers, and storytellers.

Some of these tales, like Heer & Ranjha or Sohni & Mahiwal, are believed to be inspired by real people whose love defied family, tradition, and circumstances. Others, such as Laila & Majnu, reached Punjab from distant lands, but were adopted, retold, and reimagined in the rhythms and imagery of Punjabi culture until they became our own.

What makes these stories so enduring is the values they carry: loyalty in the face of betrayal, courage in the shadow of danger, sacrifice for the sake of love, and the refusal to let social boundaries define one’s heart. They show a Punjab where love was not just a feeling; it was a force powerful enough to inspire rebellion, shape art, and influence generations.

Though set in different landscapes - riversides, deserts, farmlands - each of these stories shares the spirit of Punjab: passionate, steadfast, and unafraid to love beyond reason. Whether entirely true, partly imagined, or wholly symbolic, each story is a mirror of its time and a reminder that love is as much a part of Punjab’s heritage as its forts and fields.