IndiaPost.com - Rangla Punjab - Yet another grand success

CHICAGO: More than 1500 community members from metropolitan Chicago and surrounding States jam packed Gateway Theater in Chicago last week to attend the Rangala Punjab 2008 and also celebrate Vaisakhi festival.

Dr and Mrs Bhupinder Singh Saini of Advanced Pain Management, Milwaukee WI were the Chief Guests and the Grand Sponsors of the event. Rangla Punjab, the single largest annual Punjabi community cultural event in Chicago area, is the flagship event of Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (PCS).

"The event is to teach our youngsters performing arts, cultural values, community building, unity, leadership, spirit of volunteerism, and philanthropy," said Jarnail Singh Lail, the PCS chairperson. "Vaisakhi festival is the celebration of ending of harvest season, and beginning of a new year, Happy New Year," said Amarjit Kaur Atwal, PCS president.

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. Milwaukee Bhangra team and "Gidhey Deeyan Raaniya" the Chicago Gidha team and all other performers rendered excellent acts.

A comedy skit "Toa" (meaning a pot hole) coordinated by Gurmukh Bhullar was a hilarious satire on the plight of marginalized people and a corrupt system. "More than 200 local artists young and old participated on stage rendering 28 colorful items.

Rangla Punjab show provides encouragement and opportunity to our youth to learn about Punjabi music and dance," said Balwinder Girn, the coordinator of rehearsals. Bhinder Singh Pamma past president of PCS, welcomed the audience.

The program was emceed by Raman Kaur Sekhon, Manjit Singh Gill, Mohinderjit Singh Saini, Ronny Singh Kular and Thakar Singh Basati. Rajinder Singh Mago, PCS past president, introduced the guests of honors and sponsors.

Sunny Kular coordinated the ceremonial release by Dr and Mrs Bhupinder Singh Saini of the "Punjabi Pages 2008," the third edition of a community directory published by PCS.

All the participants will be honored at "Punjabi Youth Graduation Night 2008," an event on Sunday June 8, where "Class of 2008 Graduates" will be recognized and PCS will also award $1000 and $750 scholarships to qualified High School Senior Punjabi students. PCS also announced their "Rangla Punjab 2009" to be held on Saturday, April 11, 2009.