CHICAGO: The Bhangra music and Punjabi Dhol drum beats amplified through the powerful P.A. system reverberated in the Chicago White Sox U.S. Cellular Field Stadium for ten minutes with colorfully turbaned and costumed popular Punjabi folk dance Bhangra dancers making home run like moves on Wednesday, May 6.
The performances were presented by Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (PCS). The Chicago White Sox were playing against Detroit Tigers. More than eighteen thousand fans attended the Wednesday night game.
PCS has previously presented Bhangra at Baseball games on July 28, 2010, July 21, 2009, and also on May 1, 2005 at the White Sox vs Detroit Tigers game. PCS has also presented Bhangra at Chicago Bull’s basketball game in March 2009.
PCS invited University of Chicago “UofC Bhangra” team, accompanied by live Punjabi dhol drums by Ajay Randhawa and Shirish Shah to perform at the event. Many Indian community members including friends and family members of the performers came to the ball game to support the performance, the event, and the home game.
The White Sox were celebrating the Asian Heritage Night with special pre-game performances, including Punjabi Bhangra dancers and dhol drumming at Gate 4 for couple of hours.
The White Sox also honored Japanese former White Sox players Kosuke Fukudome, Tadahito Iguchi and Shingo Takatsu in the sixth inning. Ceremonial first pitch was by Billy Dec, member of the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
“We are elated to share our rich Asian Indian Punjabi culture with the American mainstream, especially with such a large audience that probably would not be exposed to something like this otherwise. It creates awareness about our community and helps in creating mutual understanding and respect,” said Vick Singh President, PCS
PCS’ coming events are “PCS Youth Scholarship and Graduation Night” on June 14 at Vice Roy of India Banquets, Lombard, IL and “PCS Sports Festival” on August 2 at Falcon Park District, Palatine IL.
Surendra Ullal
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