"Our performance at Rangla Punjab was met with so much enthusiasm, praise, recognition, and support," said Sophia Akbar. “It reaffirmed why we love Bhangra!” added Erin Matson. Sophia and Erin both are part of University of Chicago “Balle Bhangra” a multi-national students team who presented an unforgettable finale to the program that mesmerized the audience.

The variety show titled “Rangla Punjab” is the flagship event of  Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (PCS) www.PCSChicago.org . This is the single largest annual Punjabi community cultural event in Chicago area, in existence for more than quarter of a century. It is designed to teach and promote Punjabi performing arts Bhangra, Gidha, songs, drama and music to the next generation of the local Punjabi American community and provide an opportunity to show case their talent.

"Rangla Punjab 2009 was a huge success in providing a platform to families in the entire Midwest to connect with their roots in Punjab . I am sure many of us felt nostalgic for the vibrant land of five rivers," said Harinder Pal Singh PCS Chairman.

“One of the aspects I appreciate about PCS events is the sense of joy that participants and spectators have, I try not to miss any PCS event,” said Alice Dungey community outreach coordinator for Devry University who attended the show with her young grandson Alex.

Vaisakhi festival is the celebration of ending of harvest season, and beginning of a new year in Punjab. Also, this day in 1699 the tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh ordained the Khalsa order in Anand Pur, Punjab, India.

Universally popular Punjabi dance Bhangra, Gidha, Punjabi music and songs, comedy skits, and many other items were presented at this stage show. Music was provided by “Tohfa” group of musicians. Miltown Wisconsin Bhangra team, “Gidhey Deeyan Raaniya” the Chicago Gidha team, and many other performers including from Northwest Indiana organized by Jasbir Singh Palia entertained the audience with excellent acts and dance moves.

A comedy skit “Amliyaan Diyaan Khariyaan” coordinated by Gurmukh Bhullar along with Jassi Parmar and Charandeep Singh, of Desi Junction a popular radio program, was a hilarious satire on uselessness of drug addicts, and sprouting new community organizations.

“I loved the whole show and was impressed that PCS attracted so many people to the event,” said Ms. Geeta Banker, Branch Manager National City Bank, her first time at this Punjabi show.

Bhinder Singh Pamma past president of P.C.S. Chicago welcomed the audience. The program was emceed by, Rajinder Singh Mago, Manjit Singh Gill , Balwinder Singh Girn, Raman Kaur Sekhon, and Navraaz Kaur Basati

Ronny Singh Kular, PCS president thanked the audience, sponsors and volunteers and congratulated his PCS organizing team. A plaque of honor was presented to the chief guest Honorable Ambassador Attri by the PCS president and the chairman on behalf of the PCS officials.

The program was sponsored by Dr. Bhupinder Singh Saini (Advance Pain Management), Dr. Narinder S. Grewal (California), Sunny Kular , Jaidev S. Bhattal  (Punjab Auto Works), Harinderpaul Singh (MITS), Baljit Sidhu, Joginder Singh (Cascade Banquets), Air India, Western Union, Bharat Matrimony, Kohl Inc., Harminder Khera, Dr. Sarbjit S. Bhandal, Dr. Kamaljit S. Girn, Hardial S. Deol, Dr. Hargurmukhpal Singh, Jatinder Grewal , Dr. Harjinder S. Khaira, Punjabi Cultural Society of Kalamazoo, Punjabi American Youth Club of Indiana.

Rishpal Singh of Sunshine DJ coordinated the music, Photography was by Devinder Singh Sangha, and Videography by Petlynn. VIP dinner was catered by Joginder Singh of Sher-e-Punjab Restaurant & Cascade Banquets.

The event organization committee included the following PCS officials and many community volunteers: Ronny Singh Kular, Baljeet Kaur Sangha, Balwinder Singh Girn, Sunny S. Kular, Baljit Sidhu, Thakar Singh Basati, Manjit Singh Gill, Amarjit Kaur Atwal, Sukhmel Singh Atwal, Mohinderjit Singh Saini, Onkar Singh Sangha, Surinder Singh Sangha, Bhinder Singh Pamma, Jaspaul Saini, Jasbir Singh Palia, Pardeep Deol, Lovedeep Dulat, Kirpal Kaur Lall, Surinder Singh Bhatia, Manjit S. Hira, Harbir Virk, Amardeep K. Deol, Kevin Atwal, Navjot Multani, Dilraj Sekhon, and Rajinder Singh Mago.

All the Rangla Punjab participants will be honored at "Punjabi Youth Graduation Night 2009," an event on June 14, 2009, where "Class of 2009” graduates will be honored.

P.C.S. will also award $1000 and $750 scholarships to qualified High School Seniors Punjabi students and encourage them to go to college. Last date to apply for the scholarship is May 17, 2009.”

P.C.S. is organizing a blood donation drive at Sikh Gurudwara building in Palatine on Sunday April 26, 2009, 9 AM to 1:30 PM. It’s open to all.

P.C.S. will arrange to take bus loads of community members at no cost to them on Sunday May 17, 2009 to Navy Pier to participate in a cultural procession at Navy Pier and also the "Passport to the World - India" cultural program at Chicago Children’s Museum, where bhangra lessons and turban tying demonstrations will be given.  

P.C.S. will participate in organization of week long Asian American Festival and present cultural performances at Daley Center Plaza in Chicago the week of May 18 -22, 2009.

P.C.S. performers will participate in the Asian American Heritage month reception by Secretary of State of Illinois Jesse White on May 18, 2009.

P.C.S. Basketball tournament and the P.C.S. Sports Festival are in July/August

P.C.S. will be hosting its 8th. annual "International Bhangra and Gidha Competition." and dinner banquet at "PCS Night 2009" in October/November 2009.

P.C.S. Participates in State Street Thanksgiving Day parade.

P.C.S. also announced their "Rangla Punjab 2010" to be held on Saturday, April 10, 2010.

Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago is an all volunteer not-for-profit 501C-3 community service organization devoted to promoting Punjabi culture, language, performing arts, education, sports, good citizenship, and healthy life style in metropolitan Chicago area.   

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