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News Release: April 5, 1999
RANGLA PUNJAB show tops all previous performances
Subject: PCS News Release: April 5, 1999
VAISAKHI CULTURAL PROGRAM "RANGLA PUNJAB '99" A HUGE SUCCESS THE PROGRAM TOPS ALL PREVIOUS PERFORMANCES TASTE OF RICH PUNJABI CULTURE A MEMORABLE TREAT TO THE COMMUNITY CHICAGO: The Punjabi community of metropolitan Chicago celebrated the festival of Vaisakhi on Saturday April 3, 1999 at Gateway Theater in Chicago. Over 1500 attended the festivities. An excellent state-of-the-art traditional Punjabi program was presented by over 200 community artists of all ages. "Rangla Punjab," a major annual Punjabi cultural event in Metropolitan Chicago was organized by the Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago to celebrate the Vaisakhi festival.
"The best part was the involvement of our local community children and development of talent among our youth and giving them the opportunity and encouragement to perform on stage. I know it is hard work but is like sowing the seeds of Punjabi culture to grow its roots and spread out its far reaching branches into our next generation," said Jaginder Singh Ramdev, an author, retired librarian and grandfather from Deerfield Illinois.
The chief guest was Mr. Darshan Singh Dhaliwal, a successful businessman from Milwaukee Wisconsin. Other guests of honor included Dean Marshall Goodman of the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, who had recently traveled to Punjab along with Mr. Dhaliwal and Governor Tommy G. Thompson of Wisconsin who spoke highly of Punjabi hospitality. Representing the Governor of Illinois, George Ryan, was the assistant to the Governor for Asian American Affairs, Tammy Chiemmongkoltip and representing Illinois Treasurer, Judy Baar Topinca, was Tasneem Bhabhrawala, Asian community liaison.
"The cultural celebration of the Vaisakhi festival is common to all Punjabis, but this year it has a special religious significance to Sikhs because the Khalsa order was ordained on Vaisakhi day in 1699, making it a world wide tercentennial celebration," said Rajinder Singh Mago, the first segment emcee. Both Governors have proclaimed April 14, 1999, "Khalsa Day" in their respective states in honor of the celebrations of the 300th Anniversary of the creation of the Khalsa. The Governors representatives at the Rangla Punjab show read the proclamations to the audience.
Mayor Richard M. Daley of the City of Chicago has also proclaimed April 14, 1999; "Khalsa Day" and so have many suburban mayors including the mayors of Palatine and Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
"I was extremely honored to be a part of such a memorable event. Even though I did not understand a word of Punjabi but I was able to figure out the humor in skits and had hearty laughs. I enjoyed the music and the dance performances so much that I actually stayed there for four hours. This is a fine example of Asian Heritage on display. I am happy to be a part of the Governor's team, and looking forward to working with the community. Thank you for making me feel so welcomed," remarked Tammy Chiemmongkoltip, who was also the reader of the proclamation from the Governor.
"The Punjabi community has always shown great dedication to their family, community and heritage. On the night of their Vaisakhi celebration, Rangla Punjab show, this dedication came out through talent and beautiful music and poetry," said Tasneem Bhabhrawala, the Asian American liaison to Illinois State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinca who attended the show with her family. A colorful five hour long Punjabi cultural program entitled, "Rangla Punjab '99" presented superbly sequenced items of traditional Bhangra, Gidha, Punjabi songs and hilarious comedy skits including, "Das Main Ki Amrika Aa Ke Khateya" and "Teer Chalayee Ja," which kept the audience spell bound and holding on to their seats. The performers included famous artists Sital Chaudhri, Jassi Parmar, Madhu Arya, Pammi Gill, Mini and Bini Basati, Harjinder Khaira, Gautam Kahlon and many others including Sahib Gill whose song "Punjabeeyan Di Ho gayi Balle Balle" captivated the audience. Chandrakant Williamson, Mohammad Ali and their best orchestra coupled with great sound system provided a memorable musical performance. The talented Punjabi artists of Chicago performed many other youth and adult items.
Harwinder Paul Singh Lail opened the show and Chairman Dr. Gurdial Singh Basran welcomed the guests. Rajinder Singh Mago/ Jasjeet Kaur Sangha, Mohinderjit Singh Saini, Dr. Harjinder Singh Khaira and the Chicago Indian media personality Manjit Gill emceed the four segments of the program. The sponsors, Menjinder Singh Bhambra, Sukhdev Singh Multani, Balwinder Singh, Dr. Gurdial Singh Basran and Swaranjit Singh were given plaques of appreciation. "Heer Group," a guest artists group from Toronto performed a wonderful dance number.
"Punjabi Pages", a free community directory of telephones, addresses, businesses, and useful information was released at the show by the chief guest Darshan Singh Dhaliwal. Jassi Parmar facilitated the presentation. Parminder Kaur Reehal, a senior from Glenbard North high school and an active youth member of the community, who maintains a high grade point average, won the 1999 P.C.S. scholarship. She plans to go on to study medicine. Swaranjit Singh Dhillon past P.C.S. chairman presented the scholarship. Dr. Surjit Singh Patheja of Valparaiso Indiana sponsored the P.C.S. scholarship. Thakar Singh Basati introduced the board of Directors. Gulzar Singh Multani P.C.S. president thanked the audience and his team and explained the significance of this year's Vaisakhi. Jasbir Singh Palia spoke about P.C.S. and its future events. Jassi Parmar was honored with a plaque for his outstanding volunteer services to P.C.S. including re-designing the P.C.S. website. The chief guest Darshan Singh Dhaliwal presented a check of $10,000. to P.C.S. Balwinder Singh of A-one carpet pledged $2,800 for P.C.S. items participants, Pakhar Singh Sidhu and Sukhjit Singh Dhillon also pledged $500 to award P.C.S.'s "Rangla Punjab" participants.
The program was organized by a committee including: Gulzar Singh Multani, Mohinderjit Singh Saini, Harwinder Paul Singh Lail, Kulbir Singh Bagri, Dr. Harjinder Singh Khaira, Onkar Singh Sangha, Jaswinder Sapal, Navraaz Kaur Basati, Kirpal Kaur Lall, Nikki Sekhon, Jasbir Singh Palia, Jagjit Singh Dhindsa, Bhinder Singh Pamma, Gurmeet Singh Mudhar, Jassi Parmar, Ranjit Kaur Sapal, Sweety Sangha, Amarjit Kaur Atwal, Mini Basati, Kulwant Singh, Gurpreet Kaur, Manjit Singh Gill, Thakar Singh Basati, Sukhmel S. Atwal and Rajinder Singh Mago.
Indermohan Singh of "Sohna Punjab" cable TV show shot the videotape. All the participants of Rangla Punjab will be honored at P.C.S.'s next event "Punjabi Sports Festival '99" on August 21, '99 at YMCA in Palatine. The planning meeting for this sports event will take place on Sunday, April 18, '99 at 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the YMCA in Palatine. A video of "Rangla Punjab '99" will also be available at this April 18th meeting for $10 by hand and $13 by mail. The video will also be available at P.C.S.'s next "Youth Symposium" on May 9, '99 at 12:30 p.m. at the YMCA Palatine.
The Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago is a not-for-profit community organization devoted to promoting Punjabi culture, language, performing arts and sports in the metropolitan Chicago area.
For further information please contact: P.C.S.'s 24 hour Punjabi hot line Phone: (847) 359-5PCS, Fax: (847) 359-1107, or Write to: P.O. Box 1244, Palatine, IL 60078.
News Release prepared by: Rajinder Singh Mago, Patron, PCS
