CHICAGO: The Punjabi Bhangra (folk dance) teams competed in the International Bhangra and Gidha Competition hosted by Punjabi Cultural Society (PCS) on October 14 at Meadows Club, in Rolling Meadows Illinois. The participants included University of Chicago, Spartan Bhangra from Cleveland Ohio, “Raakhe Virse De” from Michigan, SFU Bull Bhangra from Tampa Florida and Nachdi Jawani Folk Loverz from Toronto. This was the 10th such competition organized by PCS.
Over 100 men and women Bhangra performers from all over the United States and Canada and local youth coordinators participated in this event. The competition this year was among the Bhangra teams only, who wore stunning costumes and gave stellar performances.
PCS introduced Anita Lerche first time to Chicago audience. She originates from Denmark and was the first non-Asian woman from the West to release an album in Punjabi. She has made history with Punjabi music. She was on two charts simultaneously and that is huge in music business.
The Billboard Top-5 Charting Artist and internationally acclaimed award-winning singer, songwriter and composer enthralled the audience with her melodious singing and dancing. She started with her song “AaoJi” and kept the audience spellbound and engaged with her songs “Lathe Di Chadarute,” “Heer” and “Sadke Punjab Ton.”
Despite incessant rains for eight hours, more than 500 die hard PCS supporters defied the weather to enjoy this colorful and high energy cultural showcase.
In addition to a meaningful Bhangra competition experience, the participants had a lot of fun games and dancing during pre and post event social mixers, networking parties, meals together and celebrations like a youth festival.
Competition performances were judged by seasoned Bhangra experts who are not PCS officials, according to Rajinder Mago, a PCS official coordinating the judgment process. The team captains received friendly feedbacks from the judges after the show.
Pardeep Deol announced the Bhangra competition results. “Nachdi Jawani Folk Loverz” an independent Bhangra team from Toronto Canada, comprising youth ranging from 10 to 17 years, won the PCS Chicago Bhangra Championship 2017 first place trophy and $3100 in cash along with the bragging rights amidst thunderous applause all through their performance. The second place PCS trophy and $2100 cash prize was won by “Raakhe Virse De,” an independent Bhangra team from Michigan.
Tarandeep Singh Nagra compered the Bhangra competition and also the dance off for the best dancer contest. Parvinder Singh Nanua emceed the sponsors recognitions segment. Dr. Bhupinder Singh Saini of Advance Pain Management in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was the grand sponsor.The event was also sponsored by Dr. Narinder S Grewal, Mohina Ahluwalia, PCS Chairman Hardial Singh Deol and Gurdeep Singh Nandra.
“PCS Chicago officials and volunteers work very hard and do a great job organizing this event and hosting the guest teams from far and near for the weekend celebrations. They need support to continue promoting our culture,” said Dr. Bhupinder Singh Saini, the chief guest.
The next PCS Chicago’s mainstream event is participation in McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on State Street in Chicago downtown on Thanksgiving Day November 23, with the theme “Punjabi Maharaja wedding procession.”
PCS is a non-profit community service organization devoted to promoting Punjabi culture, performing arts, education, sports, and good citizenship in the Chicago Metropolitan area.
Rajinder Singh Mago
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