CHICAGO: Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (PCS) partnered with Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier in organizing the Passport to the World: India Festival Celebrations for three days ending May 11.The event was organized to celebrate Asian American Heritage month. A mosaic of diverse traditions from India with Punjabi Folk Dances Bhangra & Gidha by PCS Children teams, Turban Tying, Mehendi, Rangoli, Bindi, and other Indian performing arts were presented on May 8, 10 and 11.

PCS did its part with Bhangra and other folk arts.The program on May 8 and May 10 offered learning Punjabi song and Dhol by Maninder Singh, Bhangra by Shamila Khetarpal and Sargam Group, the Turban Tying instructions by the SAHO, and Rangoli art by volunteers. The program on May 11 began at 2 pm with a procession at Navy Pier led by Punjabi Dhol drums group. The program inside the museum included Indian/Punjabi/Sikh cultural performances, learning to sing Punjabi folk songs, playing Punjabi Dhol drum, demonstrations of how to tie a turban, and Bhangra101 dance lessons, Bindi, Mehndi and Rangoli art.

Free buses were arranged to transport community members from Palatine, Devon Avenue, and Crown Point Indiana to Navy Pier.  “Passport to the World is designed to expose children to a variety of cultures and to affirm each child’s own cultural identity and ethnic heritage,” Said Keith McCormick, CCM’s director of cultural programs. “This is a great opportunity to share our culture and outreach to the mainstream community children who are going to become the leaders of tomorrow,” said Amarjit Kaur Atwal, the PCS president.

Passport to the World provides children, adults and caregivers with year-round opportunities to experience and learn more about the world around them. It features authentic cultural programming that represents the art, culture, and traditions, of a particular country; all participating artists, performers and workshop leaders are members of the featured culture.