CHICAGO: The Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (PCS) held its flagship annual event “Rangla Punjab 2015” to celebrate Vaisakhi festival on Saturday April 4 at Meadows Club Banquet Hall in Rolling Meadows with more than 200 participants rendering 22 spectacular variety acts in a talent show attended by more than 1000.
Dr Bhupinder Singh Saini of Advanced Pain Management Clinics in Wisconsin was the Grand Sponsor and Balwinder Nick Singh was the Chief Guest.
Raja Krishnamoorthi, a candidate for IL-8 Congressional district accompanied by Matt Flamm, Democratic Committeeman of Greater Palatine Area, addressed the audience and lauded PCS’ work.
The program divided in four segments included dazzling performances of Bhangra and Gidha dances, delightful Punjabi songs and melodious music by local and guest artists from Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan.
Artists of all ages, teenage boys and girls, college students, and adults dressed in a variety of Punjabi colorful costumes performed their best on stage.
University of Illinois at Chicago “UIC Bhangra” rendered a breathtaking performance.
The Gidha dance moves by the ladies from “Milwaukee Gidha” Team and “Shaunkanna Chicago Diyan” were nostalgic reminders of rural Punjab and won the hearts of the audience with their fast beat music, stellar acts and colorful costumes.
There were many other excellent Bhangra, Gidha, and dance items presented by the local community children and adult artists. It was really a festival of Punjabi culture and a delightful treat.
Several vendors had set up shop to sell novelty merchandise in the Club’s lobby. Posters of Sikh soldiers in World Wars I and II were also displayed in the lobby.
PCS Vice President Gurmit Singh Dhillon welcomed the audience. The program opened with singing of a prayer “shabad” by a group of young children from Palatine Gurdwara Gurmat School. The variety program divided in four segments was emceed by Jaslin Kaur Nanua & Amanjeet Kaur Sandhu; Ranjit Singh Bains & Ajay Bhangu; Mona Bhalla; Guru Dhaliwal & Thakar Singh Basati.
Rajinder Singh Mago also conducted the awards and recognition ceremonies in cooperation with Sunny Kular and Mohinderjit Singh Saini.
A variety of Punjabi songs delighted the audience. Kanchan ji a versatile singer rendered a melodious song “Tere Larh Laghiyaan;” Pratibha Jairath, sang “Main Tenu Samjhavaan Ki;” Mahijit Singh Virdi sang “Apna Sangeet;” Mona Bhalla & daughters moved the audience with their energy, passion with the song “Chittiyaan Kalaayiyaan;” Parina Mehrotra sang “Sannu Nehar Wale Pul te Bula Ke;” Mandeep Singh Saini sang “Patiala Song;” Sanjeev Vij sang”Jatt Yamla Pagla Diwana;” Tara Multani sang his own album song “Kabaddi.”
P.C.S. also recognized its Board of Governors and Board of Advisors.
P.C.S. Board of Directors for 2015, are Amritpal Singh Sangha (Hon. Chairman), Vick Singh (President), Gurmit Singh Dhillon (Vice President), Bikram Singh Chohan (Executive Secretary), Surinder Singh Palia (Finance Secretary), Manjeet Singh Bhalla (Sports Director), Parvinder Singh Nanua (Youth Director), Gagandeep Singh Multani and Raibrinder Singh Ghotra (Inter-community Directors).
Outgoing PCS president Pardeep Singh Deol was awarded a plaque for his excellent services during his term. Outgoing PCS Chairman Dr Hargurmukhpal Singh was similarly honored. Dr. Bhupinder Singh Saini was honored with a plaque for his continued moral and financial support to PCS
PCS President Vick Singh thanked the participants, coordinators, sponsors, volunteers, the community members and the audience for their support.
A delicious VIP dinner and sandwiches were served to participants.
The upcoming P.C.S. organized events are: “Punjabi Youth Graduation & Scholarship Night” dinner and party on June 14 at Viceroy of India Banquets in Lombard, IL. All the Punjabi graduates are requested to register with PCS. The “Rangla Punjab 2015” participants will also be honored.
“P.C.S. Sports Festival” is slated on July 26 at Falcon Park, Palatine, IL.
The Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago is an all volunteer not-for-profit community service organization devoted to promoting Punjabi culture, language, performing arts, education, good citizenship, healthy life style, and sports in the metropolitan Chicago area and beyond.
Surendra Ullal
