11-03-2012 PCS Bhangra Competition

Chicago IL: Punjabi folk dance Bhangra teams from Columbia university, George Mason University, Duke university, Washington University, and independent traditional teams from Chicago “Ministry of Bhangra”, and “Ankh-E-Gabroo” from New York competed in the 8th PCS Chicago International Bhangra and Gidha Competition held on Nov. 3, 2012 at Des Plaines Theater in Des Plaines Illinois. Dr. Bhupinder Singh Saini of Pain Management Milwaukee Wisconsin was the chief guest.

More than 800 attended this colorful high energy performing arts show punctuated with hilarious comedy by Jus Reign of Canada, and stellar performances of Gidha by Punjab Sports and Culture Club of Cincinnati Ohio and a variety fusion dance by Chicago Dhamaal. More than 120 male and female performers from all over the country participated in this event. The competition this year was among the Bhangra teams only.

In addition to the great Bhangra competition experience, the participants had a lot of fun games and dancing during pre-event social mixers, post-event networking parties, meals and celebrations like a youth festival. “Ankh-E-Gabroo” an independent traditional bhangra team from New York won the Bragging rights to the 2012 PCS Chicago Bhangra Championship first place trophy and $1500 cash prize sponsored by Punjab Sports and Culture Club of Cincinnati Ohio. Sarwan Singh Tiwana of Chan Pardesi Radio pledged $500 cash award to the winners.

The second place PCS trophy and $750 cash prize was won by “Duke Dhamaka” Bhangra team of Duke University from Durham North Carolina in a very close contest. The second prize was sponsored by Professional Diagnostic Service, Inc. and presented by Sarpanch Sardar Darshan Singh.

Bhangra teams were judged by Hardial Singh Deol, Parminder Singh Walia, Jaswinder Singh Sappal, Nimrata Kaur Singh, and Shamila Khetarpal for their traditional dance form, authenticity, costumes, choreography and artistic creativity in presentation.

Rajinder Singh Mago coordinated the judgment process and also managed the stage. Jus Reign’s comedy skits, audience interaction and funny chit chat during his compeering of the show kept the audience rolling with laughter and top quality Bhangra performances kept them spell bound.

The exhibition item by Punjab Sports and Cultural Club Cincinnati Gidha team rendered an amazing erformance and mesmerized the audience with their live Punjabi Boliyaan singing and authentic gidha dancing with traditional Punjabi props. PCS Chicago honored the team with $1000 cash award. Chicago Dhamaal, a Bollywood fusion dance team guest item performance added variety to the show.

Unfortunately a few bhangra teams from the East coast could not participate in the competition due to the aftermath of hurricane super storm “Sandy” that devastated the area and many flights were cancelled or delayed.
Surinder Singh Sangha V.P. of PCS welcomed the audience and hosted a moment of silence for the tragic death of Punjabi comedian Jaspal Bhatti, recent shootings of the movie theater in Aurora Colorado, Sikh Gurdwara in Oak Creek Wisconsin, and the deaths and devastation caused by the hurricane super storm Sandy.

A Punjabi songs CD “Main Boli Punjab Di” by the popular singer Babbu Gurpal was also released at this PCS Chicago event.

The logistics of the competition and the pre and post event activities were managed by the PCS youth organizing committee Harleen K. Saini, Ajay S. Bhangu, Amardeep K. Deol, Manpreet Kaur, Amrita K. Randhawa, Paramveer Singh, Ishita Saran lead by Pardeep S. Deol. The team was helped by many volunteers like Surinder Bhatia, Ryan Singh, Robin Ghotra, Ankit Multani, Isabel Kolencherry, Anita Chander, Nitesh Khetarpal, Garima Shukla, Navi Kaur, Puneet Kahlon, and Taranpreet Nagra, Jasbir Singh Deol and Devinder Deol of Midwest Therapy.

PCS president Baljit Singh Sidhu honored the chief guest Dr. Bhupinder Singh Saini with a plaque. Dr. Saini praised the efforts made by PCS to promote Punjabi culture and getting the youth involved. PCS officials, the competition judges, the media and the event sponsors were recognized for their support. Pardeep Singh Deol introduced the youth committee. Sunny Kular coordinated the awards ceremony.
Chief guest Dr. Bhupinder Singh Saini honored the artist of the night Jus Reign and the youth committee with PCS plaques.

The program was organized by Baljit Singh Sidhu, Surinder Singh Sangha, Pardeep Singh Deol, Gurmit Singh Dhillon, Vick Singh, Mohinderjit Singh Saini, Balwinder Singh Girn, Sunny Kular, Ronny Kular, Bhinder Singh Pamma, Paul Singh Lail, Jasbir Singh Palia, Onkar Singh Sangha, Parminder Singh Ghotra, and Bhagwant Singh Sandhu.

The stage was decorated by Navjot Kaur of Silverleaf Wedding decorations. The sound and lighting was managed by DJ Twin Beats, photography by ABC Video & Photography, and the food by K.K. Pamma. The program was sponsored by Dr. Bhupinder Singh Saini, Dr. Narinder Singh Grewal, Jaidev Singh Bhathal, Raju Sandhu, Sandhu Petroleum, Nimrata Kaur, Dr. Gurdial Singh Basran, Hardial Singh Deol, Dr. Hargurmukhpal Singh, Dr. Sarabjit Singh Bhandal, Mandeep Singh Bhura, Parminder Singh Walia, Harinder Singh (MITS), Dr. Harjinder Singh Khaira, Parminder Singh Ghotra, Skyway Travels Toronto, Punjab Sports & Cultural Club Cincinnati, Precision Stone Design, Devinder Deol of Midwest Physical Therapy, Jasbir Singh Deol, Surinder Singh Palia, Gulzar Singh Multani, Balwinder Singh Girn, Baljit Singh Sidhu, Kohl’s Cares for Kids, Beant Singh Boparai, Punjab Sports Club Chicago, Sher-e-Punjab Sports and Cultural Club of Chicago, PHO Chicago, Punjabi American Youth Club of Indiana, Silverleaf Wedding Decorations Inc.

P.C.S. is a non-profit community service organization devoted to promoting Punjabi culture, performing arts, education, sports, and good citizenship in the Chicago Metropolitan area.
Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago E-mail [email protected] Website: www.PCSChicago.org

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Suresh Bodiwala
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