India Post News Service

ORANGE, CA: The Guru Nanak Children's Academy held their ninth annual cultural event at the Alexandra Neehita Center of the Arts, Lutheran High School of Orange County on March 22. Parents and community members came to support the Sikh cause as hundreds of children took to the stage to perform.

From Bhangra to poetry, over 600 excited attendees came to support the Sikh Center of Orange County as their Guru Nanak Children's Academy held a lively cultural program. The spectacular event was centered around a play "AA-O Shagun Manaaeea".

This story explained a journey through a Punjabi wedding. The play was directed and written by Kamlesh Chauhan. Chauhan stated that it was a true blessing for her when she was asked to participate in the play. She said it was very rewarding for her to see younger and older generations working together to bring forth aspects of their heritage.

After being presented a plaque, during the award ceremony, Kamlesh also stated that she would always remain a "Servant" to GNCA. Various Bhangra folk dances were performed throughout the night. Senior girls from GNCA performed with live singing and dhol. GNCA Bhangra teams were choreographed by Kiran Punia, Ravin Kholi, Mohita Kaur, Ramandeep Singh, Harkirat Singh, Jyoti Jhita, Arjun Singh Ahuja and Rajji Bains. A play depicting the life of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the first Sikh empire entrepreneur, was also presented.

The play was directed by Jagjit Singh Kaura and Parwinder Kaur, was a lesson in history for the public with its young participants, as it brought to light the great accomplishments of a true caregiver and Statesman. Kaura explained the importance of teaching children about their culture.Kaura said, "It is not only important to teach children about Bhangra but also to teach our children their language; what things mean and the annunciations.

You cannot teach kids about their culture through observation but through participation because that is something they will carry throughout their life with them." The main purpose of GNCA's cultural events are to keep the youth in-touch with their roots, most importantly by understanding their history and speaking the language.

The cultural program was organized by Harleen Kaur and Darshan Kaur Jhita with huge support from community members. Some of the volunteers from the Sikh Center of Orange County are Upinder Singh Nindra, Dr. Ajay Setya, Dr. Ginny Kaur Chawla, Gurpreet Kaur Oberoi, Gurdayal Singh and Harpreet Singh Bawa.

The whole event was organized by Bicky Singh, Harleen Kaur, Shiwinder Chawla and Jagjit Singh.Mr and Mrs Amrik Singh Dhillon were the chief guests of the cultural event as they were honored for their generous contributions to GNCA and the Sikh cause.