Chicago, Nov. 05, 2007
Rajinder Mago/Gary Singh
Chicago: Chicagoans had a treat of their lifetime at "PCS
Night 2007" Dinner and Dance Banquet on Saturday, October
27, 2007, at the prestigious Ballroom of Waterford Banquets and
Convention Center, Elmhurst Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. The
event turned out to be a magnificent showcase of Punjabi folk
dances Bhangra and Gidha in colorful costumes. This 6th. International
Bhangra and Gidha Dance Competition organized by Punjabi Cultural
Society of Chicago (www.PCSChicago.org), was attended by more
than a thousand Punjabi, non-Punjabi and local audience.
“This was one of the best functions I have ever attended
during my 30 years in Chicago area. I never had so much fun in
my life. What a way to display the culture. Punjabi community
got it together. I salute P.C.S. and the organizers and also Darshan
Singh Dhaliwal who is a force behind it in keeping the culture
alive,” said Amrish Mahajan of Mutual Bank and also
a Chicago Indian American community leader.
Darshan Singh and Debra Dhaliwal of Bulk Petroleum Corp.
Wisconsin were the chief guests and the Grand Sponsors
of the “PCS Night 2007”.
"I am pleased to see that our cultural heritage has taken
root in this country, and is in good hands of our next generation,"
said Darshan Singh Dhaliwal after he saw more
than 200 young university students, and professionals from all
over USA & Canada competing in this P.C.S. event in Chicago.
"We are humbled by such an out pouring of support from our
community and the competing teams at this mega event. The whole
P.C.S. Chicago team put in their best effort to make this incredible
event a huge success. It was like planning a grandiose wedding
with 250 in the wedding party and more than a 1000 guests,"
said Bhinder Singh Pamma, the outgoing P.C.S. President.
Sixth Annual PCS Chicago International Bhangra and Gidha Competition
an amazing event.
Fifteen Bhangra and Gidha teams from Harvard
University, Northwestern University, University of Georgia, Emory
University, Toronto and Vancouver Canada, Texas, Massachusetts,
Georgia, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Illinois were placed to compete
for the honors at this competition. Bhangra has caught on to international
liking as was evident from the fact that many of the college teams
participants were non-Punjabis including many local Americans
and Pan-Asian Americans.
The program was jointly emceed by Navraaz Kaur Basati, a film
maker, singer, and radio announcer, and Rajinder Singh Mago, a
Punjabi Indian community service anchor in Chicago area for more
than 36 years, who is commonly credited with promoting Bhangra
and Punjabi culture in Chicago.
"Rooh Punjab Di"
Bhangra dance team from Toronto, Canada a highly traditional
team with a superb live performance won the championship
first place trophy and $3,500 cash award. The second
place trophy with a cash award of $1,500 sponsored by S. Inderjit
S. Sohi of Kalamazoo, MI. was won by “Kohinoor Bhangra Group”
also from Toronto. A young, energetic, and creative "Bull
Dawg Da Raj" team from University of Georgia at Athens won
the 3rd position trophy and $1000 cash at this "6th Annual
PCS Chicago International Bhangra Competition."
Other competing Bhangra teams who gave electrifying
performances were: “Northwestern University” Bhangra
– Evanston, Illinois, “Karma” Bhangra - Emory
University – Atlanta Georgia, “Harvard Bhangra”
– Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and “The
Bhangra Element” – Indianapolis, Indiana.
“By the end of the evening when I went to bed, my adrenalin
was still flowing and heart pumping as though I had jumped on
stage too. The energy level was amazing, “ said Ms. Yin
Kean, a Malaysian American in the audience.
"Raunak Vehre Di"
a Gidha dance team from Punjab Cultural Club Surrey, BC Canada
who stormed the stage with a dashing traditional performance and
elaborate authentic Punjabi props bagged the Gidha championship
trophy and $3,500 cash award. "Rooh Punjab Di Gidha"
from Toronto Canada won the 2nd place trophy and $1,500. "H.K.
Gidha" from Dallas, Texas won the 3rd place trophy and $1000
cash award.
Other competing Gidha teams were: “Dhamak
Punjabna Di” Gidha – Toronto, Canada, “Giddhe
Diyan Raaniyaan” – Chicago, “Koonjan”
Gidha – Toronto, Canada, “Nachdian Mutiaraan”
Gidha – Patiala Gidda & Dance Academy, Toronto, Canada,
“Punjabana Di Ruh Gidha” - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
"We were in awe of the talent present at this competition.
Rooh Punjab Di is always proud to showcase Punjabi Folk culture
and PCS offered a wonderful opportunity. The organizers were extremely
generous hosts and our experience was one to remember. The girls
had a fantastic time on and off stage!" said Deepa
Sarao Kullar captain of “Rooh Punjab Di Gidha”
from Brampton Ontario Canada.
“If Punjabi Bhangra and Gidha has attained international
recognition, it is because of your sincere efforts at this grass
root level. The P.C.S. richly deserves congratulations for this
performance. My praise goes to the Judges, who faced the difficult
task of selecting the winners. I was very impressed with the teams
of boys and girls, all of them were extremely talented. I eagerly
look forward to the next P.C.S. event,” said Prof.
Jaginder Singh Ramdev a retired but very active educationist.
Mohinderjit Singh Saini, PCS Board of Governor
announced the Gidha competition results and also honored the major
sponsors.
All the teams which competed but were not placed won a $200 each
special prize sponsored by Mohina and Diljit Ahluwalia.
More than $25,000 cash incentives was disbursed by PCS Chicago
amongst competing Bhangra & Gidha teams. Teams
traveling farther than 250 miles were given $500 travel allowance,
boarding and lodging, local transportation and hospitality to
all out of state teams were also provided by P.C.S.
“It was madd fun chillin with HK Giddah, Rooh, Kohinoor,
and the PCS staff. One of the best environments for a competition
ever. Family atmosphere, encouragement, promotion of culture...great
overall show.” said Shawn Tucker of Bulldawg Da Raj Bhangra
team from Georgia.
Host of 2008 Asian American Coalition of Chicago, the Pakistani
American Community represented by Yunus Suleman and Sadruddin
Noorani were also honored at the event with a plaque.
"Our PCS team is working very hard to promote and share
our Punjabi culture with mainstream through this and many other
PCS programs, please donate generously to make its community center
dream come true," said Balwinder Singh, the outgoing
PCS chairman.
"I am honored to be the chairman of P.C.S. Chicago, and
I will do my best to support all the P.C.S. events. The organization
is already doing a great job representing the Indian American
community in mainstream," said Jarnail Singh Lail
the new P.C.S. chairman for 2007-08.
"I am sure our PCS Officials team will take P.C.S. to still
a higher level of community service in coming years," said
Amarjit Kaur Atwal the newly appointed president of P.C.S.
Chicago.
"We are promoting the traditional Punjabi dance form and
authenticity in their performance at this competition, "
said Rajinder Singh Mago, the P.C.S. Chicago International Bhangra
and Gidha competition coordinator, "but we need to encourage
and inspire those participants who are born here and have never
lived in Punjab," he added.
Sunny Kular, Harwinder Pal Singh Lail and Ronny Kular honored
the sponsors of the event. Onkar Singh Sangha, Baljeet Kaur Sangha
and Bhinder Pamma helped out with facilities, and hospitality.
The new 2007-2008 P.C.S. board was introduced
by Thakar Singh Basati with Amarjit Kaur Atwal as president along
with Jarnail Singh Lail as honorary chairperson, Ronny Kular Vice
President, Baljeet Kaur Sangha -Executive Secretary, Harwinder
Pal Singh Lail -Finance Secretary, Yadwinder Singh Grewal and
Parminder Singh Ghotra – Sports Directors, Baljit Singh
Sidhu - Youth Director, and Balwinder Singh Girn - Inter-Community
Director.
Harkirat Singh Sandhu was honored at his retirement from active
duty. Bhinder Singh Pamma the outgoing president and his family,
and Balwinder Singh the outgoing chairman were honored for their
outstanding services to the community through PCS.
In addition to the current board members, the
PCS Board of Governors (PCS Founding members & also past presidents)
Thakar S. Basati, Rajinder S. Mago, Manjit Singh Gill, Sukhmel
S. Atwal, Mohinderjit S. Saini, Bhagwant S. Sandhu, Sunny S. Kular,
and PCS Board of Advisors (active PCS past presidents) Harwinder
Paul S. Lail and Onkar Singh Sangha helped organize this mega
event.
Some of the coordinators and volunteers who
helped are Kevindeep S. Atwal, Lovedeep S. Dulat, Pardeep S. Deol,
Surinder S. Bhatia, Rishpal Singh, Jaswinder S. Sapal CA, Jasbir
S. Palia, Darshan S. Grewal, Jackie S. Dhillon, Nimrata K. Singh,
Maninder S. Walia, Johnjit S. Shergill, Sajid Choudhary, Baljinder
Gill B.C. Navjot Madray ONT, Gurpreet S. Kullar ONT, Deepa Kullar
ONT, Rajnish Kumar ONT, Jaspreet K. Brar ONT, Sarita Karwal ONT,
Rupinder K. Sandhu TX, Kunal Raygor MA, Shawn S. Tucker GA, Thalvinder
Sangha GA, Navdeep Singh IN, Jeevan Jyot Sandhawalia WI, Anirban
Sahu and Satwinder Kaur IL.
The GRAND SPONSORS were Dr. & Mrs. Bhupinder
Singh Saini - Advance Pain Management Wisconsin.
The PLATINUM SPONSORS were Dr. & Mrs. Narinder
Singh Grewal of Dhandra Investments California.
The GOLD SPONSORS were Sunny S. Kular, Beant
Singh Boparai – Triple Transport Milwaukee, Dr. Surjit Singh
Patheja, Sukhjit Singh Dhillon, Air India , Harjinder Singh Sandhu
– Sandhu Petroleum, Taranpaul S. Chawla – The Chawla
Group, Punjabi Cultural Society of Indianapolis, Inderjit Singh
Sohi – Kalamazoo , Mona and Diljit Ahluwalia.
The SILVER SPONSORS were Jarnail S. Lail - Grainger
Inc, Jaidev S. Bhathal - Punjab Auto Works, Kuldip Singh Turke,
Gurvinderpal Singh Gakhal, Gurmit Singh Saini – Skyway Travels,
Toronto Canada, Gurbachan kaur Shiwakarmani – Regal Jewels,
Surinder Singh Palia – Harsimran Corp, Jasbir S. Palia –
JP Metro Mart, Bhinder Singh Pamma, Jagjit S. Dhindsa, Lovedeep
Singh Dulat, Vikramjit Singh WI., Manjit S. Dhillon WI., Jasvir
S. Sahota - Anchor Transportation, Baljit Singh Sidhu, Harkirat
Singh Sandhu, Jasbir Singh Dhaliwal, Tarwinder Singh Soos, Jasvir
S. Kaler – Singh Grocers, Mickey Kahlon – Transworld
Logistics, Punjabi American Youth Club of Indiana, Surinder K.
Jain – Viceroy of India Restaurants, Sarabjit Singh Saini,
Harkewal Singh Lally and Jagdev Singh Khera (American Air Freight),
Sher-a-Punjab Sports and Culture Club of Chicago, Pakistani American
Community (AACC), Menjinder S. Bhambra – Combined Oil Inc.,
Paul S. Dandona – Goddard School of Bloomingdale and Western
Union.
Delicious Indian culinary cuisine was catered by Surinder Kumar
Jain of Viceroy of India Restaurants. After the competition the
Bhangra lovers danced to the DJ bhangra music and live Punjabi
Dhol beats past midnight.
The photos were taken by Devinder Singh Sangha and the video
was filmed by Indermohan Singh.
PCS has acquired a cultural booth and will present Bhangra dance
performances on the main stage at NBC Travel Expo at Navy Pier
Chicago on November 10 and 11, 2007
Chicago, Sep. 05, 2007
Rajinder Mago
PCS CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL BHANGRA AND GIDHA COMPETITION ON OCTOBER
27 AT “PCS NIGHT 2007”
Final Call to Bhangra and Gidha teams to register to compete. Sept.
20 dead line fast approaching. More than $20,000 dollars cash prizes,
incentives and the trophies are up for grabs.
Many Punjabi Bhangra and Gidha Dance teams from around the world
are preparing to compete in the Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago’s
6th. annual “PCS Chicago International Bhangra and Gidha Competition.”
More than $20,000 dollars cash prizes, incentives and the trophies
are up for grabs. The dead line to receive the completed team registration
form is September 20, 2007. This gala event is to be held at “PCS
Night 2007” dinner banquet on Saturday, October 27, 2007,
at Waterford Banquet and Conference Center, 933 South Riverside
Drive, Elmhurst, IL. 60126. www.waterfordoakbrook.com . The event
is expected to be sold out well in advance.
“To have such a state of the art International level traditional
Bhangra and Gidha competition both at the same time, here in Chicago,
along with a family style dinner banquet, where children under 10
are admitted free, is an unprecedented treat,” said Balwinder
Singh PCS Chairperson.
“DJ music, live dhol, and dance floor will enliven the post
competition party,” said Bhinder Singh Pamma PCS president.
“Bhangra and Gidha teams will be judged for their traditional
dance form, authenticity, costumes, choreography and artistic creativity
in presentation,” said Rajinder Singh Mago the competition
coordinator.
The competing teams are requested to complete the registration
packet and mail to: P.C.S. Chicago, 243 N. Wilke Road, Palatine,
IL 60074
For Bhangra Teams registration please contact: Rajinder S. Mago
(630) 440-7730, Sunny S. Kular (312) 226-4425, Baljeet K. Sangha
(630) 833-8091
For Gidha Teams registration please contact: Mohinderjit Singh Saini
(847) 530-1374, Amarjit K. Atwal (847) 564-4735.
Sponsorship, advertisement, and vendor booth opportunities are also
available to support this charitable event. The funds raised from
this event will be utilized towards the development of Community
Center.
Admission Donation is $40, $60, $100, $200/VIP/DONOR/SPONSOR (Delicious
Dinner and parking included). Children under 10 admitted free but
no seat. For more info Contact: Rajinder Singh Mago (630) 440-7730.
For ticket information please call (847) 359-5PCS, Bhinder S. Pamma
at (847) 991-8689, Ronny S. Kular (312) 226-4425, Baljeet K. Sangha
(630) 833-8091
P.C.S. is a non-profit organization devoted to promoting Punjabi
culture, performing arts, education, sports, and good citizenship
in the Chicago Metropolitan area. Other P.C.S. programs include:
“Rangla Punjab 2008,” scheduled for April 12, 2008 and
“Punjabi Sports Festival 2008,” planned for the summer
of 2008. “Punjabi Youth Scholarships” will be awarded
at the “Graduation Night 2008”.
P.C.S. Board 2007-08 installed, Amarjit Kaur Atwal takes
over as President of Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago at "PCS
Night 2007."
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