By: Dr. Narinder Singh Bajwa YUBA CITY: A visitor from India to Yuba Sutter Arca, had he ventured into Backcourt Riverfront Park in Marysville on May 4, 1996 would have thought he was back in Punjab again, He would have rubbed his eyes: and looked again the gentle river in the background would have looked like the Chenab und he would have almost expected Sohni to wade out to meet his Mahiwal. The dust rising from feet dancing to the music of dhol would have seemed to have been rising from a game of Kabbadi back home as the crowds gathered and cheered, Thousands sitting in the shade of trees and thousands looking at the merchandise of various vendors would have reminded him of meals in Punjab. Kids rolled down the grassy slope of the amphitheater while at the other end of the stage was set with performers like Hans Raj Hans, Surjit Bindrakhia, Surinder Shinda, Manmohan Waris, and Ranjit Mani who took tums to entertain the crowds. To this visitor what would have been most astounding would have been the great performances of the local children boys and girls whose giddhas and bhangras were truly captivating. He would have marveled at the strength of the ray of light made of Punjabi culture, Punjabi music and dances which had travelled thousands of miles from the land of five rivers to burst into a kaleidoscope of colors plus explosion of music on the banks of the Feather River in our little Punjab, He would have felt the spirit of Guru Gobind Singh Ji as tittle children sang Deh Shiva Var Mohe at the beginning of the show. As the day ended, he would have felt energized his heart beat a little stronger and his steps a little lighter from this fresh infusion of Punjabi culture. He would have gone home with a smile having witnessed a celebration of Punjab and Punjabis so far from home.
The scene described above is from the Punjabi American Festival 1996 an annual event inaugurated last year. It was organized by the Punjabi American Heritage Society at Backcourt Riverfront Park in Marysville, California. Nearly ten thousand people attended this festival. According to the Society President Dr.T.S. Ghuman, it was a great success. Dr. Jasbir Singh Kang served as the master of ceremonies.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 22, 1996
