“RANGLA
PUNJAB 2009” A DELIGHTFUL TREAT OF PUNJABI CULTURE
CHICAGO, April 20, 2009
Raj Mago
More than 1500 community members and over 200 participants,
program coordinators, and volunteers of all ages from metropolitan
Chicago and surrounding states packed Lane Tech High School Auditorium
and its hallways in a gathering to celebrate Vaisakhi festival
on Saturday, April 11, 2009. Honorable Ambassador Ashok Kumar
Attri Consul General of India in Chicago and wife Mrs. Usha Kiran
Attri were the chief guests.
Consul General of India in Chicago Honorable
Ashok Kumar Attri addressing the gathering at “Rangla Punjab
2009
“I would like to share our joy at commemoration of the
anniversary of the birth of the Khalsa and a very happy Baisakhi
to all members of the Punjabi community of Chicagoland. I am also
pleased at the impressive turnout and would like to congratulate
the executive committee of PCS (Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago)
under the leadership of Chairman Mr. Harinder Pal Singh and President
Mr. Ronny Kular for impressive arrangements for the Rangla Punjab
2009,” said Ambassador Ashok Kumar Attri in his speech to
the gathering.
“Special praise is due to stalwart leaders of PCS like Mr.
Rajinder Mago, Mr. Mohinder Saini and their associates who have
planted and nurtured the organization since its inception long
ago and have helped to make it such a strong institution,”
he added.
Mrs. Usha Kiran Attri conveyed appreciation to PCS for presenting
beautiful facets of traditional Punjabi culture, especially of
the participation of young members of the Punjabi community and
also the wonderful quality of Bhangra dance presented by the University
of Chicago “Balle Bhangra” team.
"Our performance at Rangla Punjab was met with so much enthusiasm,
praise, recognition, and support," said Sophia Akbar. “It
reaffirmed why we love Bhangra!” added Erin Matson. Sophia
and Erin both are part of University of Chicago “Balle Bhangra”
a multi-national students team who presented an unforgettable
finale to the program that mesmerized the audience.
The variety show titled “Rangla Punjab” is the flagship
event of Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (PCS) www.PCSChicago.org
. This is the single largest annual Punjabi community cultural
event in Chicago area, in existence for more than quarter of a
century. It is designed to teach and promote Punjabi performing
arts Bhangra, Gidha, songs, drama and music to the next generation
of the local Punjabi American community and provide an opportunity
to show case their talent.
"Rangla Punjab 2009 was a huge success in providing a platform
to families in the entire Midwest to connect with their roots
in Punjab . I am sure many of us felt nostalgic for the vibrant
land of five rivers," said Harinder Pal Singh PCS Chairman.
“One of the aspects I appreciate about PCS events is the
sense of joy that participants and spectators have, I try not
to miss any PCS event,” said Alice Dungey community outreach
coordinator for Devry University who attended the show with her
young grandson Alex.
Vaisakhi festival is the celebration of ending of harvest season,
and beginning of a new year in Punjab. Also, this day in 1699
the tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh ordained the Khalsa order in
Anand Pur, Punjab, India.
Universally popular Punjabi dance Bhangra, Gidha, Punjabi music
and songs, comedy skits, and many other items were presented at
this stage show. Music was provided by “Tohfa” group
of musicians. Miltown Wisconsin Bhangra team, “Gidhey Deeyan
Raaniya” the Chicago Gidha team, and many other performers
including from Northwest Indiana organized by Jasbir Singh Palia
entertained the audience with excellent acts and dance moves.
A comedy skit “Amliyaan Diyaan Khariyaan” coordinated
by Gurmukh Bhullar along with Jassi Parmar and Charandeep Singh,
of Desi Junction a popular radio program, was a hilarious satire
on uselessness of drug addicts, and sprouting new community organizations.
“I loved the whole show and was impressed that PCS attracted
so many people to the event,” said Ms. Geeta Banker, Branch
Manager National City Bank, her first time at this Punjabi show.
Bhinder Singh Pamma past president of P.C.S. Chicago welcomed
the audience. The program was emceed by, Rajinder Singh Mago,
Manjit Singh Gill , Balwinder Singh Girn, Raman Kaur Sekhon, and
Navraaz Kaur Basati.
Ronny Singh Kular, PCS president thanked the audience, sponsors
and volunteers and congratulated his PCS organizing team. A plaque
of honor was presented to the chief guest Honorable Ambassador
Attri by the PCS president and the chairman on behalf of the PCS
officials.
The program was sponsored by Dr. Bhupinder Singh Saini (Advance
Pain Management), Dr. Narinder S. Grewal, (California), Sunny
Kular , Jaidev S. Bhattal (Punjab Auto Works), Harinderpaul Singh
(MITS), Baljit Sidhu, Joginder Singh (Cascade Banquets), Air India,
Western Union, Bharat Matrimony, Kohl Inc., Harminder Khera, Dr.
Sarbjit S. Bhandal, Dr. Kamaljit S. Girn, Hardial S. Deol, Dr.
Hargurmukhpal Singh, Jatinder Grewal , Dr. Harjinder S. Khaira,
Punjabi Cultural Society of Kalamazoo, Punjabi American Youth
Club of Indiana.
Rishpal Singh of Sunshine DJ coordinated the music, Photography
was by Devinder Singh Sangha, and Videography by Petlynn. VIP
dinner was catered by Joginder Singh of Sher-e-Punjab Restaurant
& Cascade Banquets.
The event organization committee included the following PCS officials
and many community volunteers: Ronny Singh Kular, Baljeet Kaur
Sangha, Balwinder Singh Girn, Sunny S. Kular, Baljit Sidhu, Thakar
Singh Basati, Manjit Singh Gill, Amarjit Kaur Atwal, Sukhmel Singh
Atwal, Mohinderjit Singh Saini, Onkar Singh Sangha, Surinder Singh
Sangha, Bhinder Singh Pamma, Jaspaul Saini, Jasbir Singh Palia,
Pardeep Deol, Lovedeep Dulat, Kirpal Kaur Lall, Surinder Singh
Bhatia, Manjit S. Hira, Harbir Virk, Amardeep K. Deol, Kevin Atwal,
Navjot Multani, Dilraj Sekhon, and Rajinder Singh Mago.
