OAKLAND, C a: Known for its fast life style, quick bucks and fancy deals, the Bay Area on the evening of May 19 became a village in Punjab.

The annual show put on by the Punjab Cultural Society of the Bay Area had arrived. As it arrived at the Henry J Kaiser convention center (formerly the Oakland Auditorium), in Oakland it was a breath of fresh air to see the dazzling array of colors of the women’s dresses and the turbans of the men. It was like a Baisakhi mela of some village.

The chief guest Dr. Sukhminder Singh was introduced by Gurdip Singh Sekhon. Dr. Singh spoke of the dedication of the organizers to Punjabi culture, he emphasized that all of them were very busy men in their professions and businesses but yet found the time to ensure that Punjabi culture is passed onto the children and kept alive in this country.

Dr. Singh introduced the master of ceremonies Hasan J. Hamdani who was remembered fondly from last year’s function. The opening scene of Pagri Sambal Jatta a ballet directed by Surinder Dhanoa was a time representation of the Punjabi spirit, one of hard work, love and justice. It spans an era of time through ballet and represented the Punjabi will, the will that had to learn to survive against all odds. The message came across that the Punjabis are survivors.

A more serious Huq De Awaaz written and directed by Balbir S. Ragi, depicted the struggle of man against the forces of evil. The dialogues were in poetic form the characters were set in modern Punjab with Ramesh S. Walia playing a police officer hell bent on breaking the spirit of the Inqlabi played by Ragi himself. It is the exchange of views of the two that were powerful and gripping.

The children’s Bhangra with 30 odd kids was a sight; Directed by Surinder S. Dhanoa with Dhol master Gurdev Dhanda. Punjabi Community should be proud of its Punjab Cultural Society for such an undertaking.

Nachadi Jawani directed by Mani Dhanoa (Surinders daughter) was a teenage dance well put together.

All the children were given trophies, also honored were Lal Singh Bhalli, the famous Dholi for his dedicated service to the Punjabi Culture, as was Gurdev Dhanda.

The K.A.U.R organization recognized Surinder and Japinderpal Dhanoa for their community service and their dedication to the Punjabi Culture they were presented with a plaque of honor by Mrs. Parminder K. Ragi.

The skit Thana Patiale Da written and directed by Joginder Singh was a great success. The interaction between Joginder and Parminder Gill was once again magic and was as every bit as good as their last years Dr. Patiale Da.

Mela Baisakhi directed by Inderjit Chadha was a very fast moving thrill packed and heartwarming dance that captured the charm of Punjabis.

Gappan was a very funny skit directed by Surinder Dhanoa that was made even better by a newcomer Jarnail S. Mann.

The folk songs of Punjab this year were folk, the duets and individual songs of long time veterans of Punjab night Manjit and Barinder Judge were in top form. This year was a proud moment for them for all the music was conducted by their son Manishwar. The duet song by Satpal Deol and Jaswinder Beesla was written by Punjab Cultural Society’s very own Ajaypal Bath. This was a romantic Ballad made even better by the lightening calls of Baljit Boparai. The apex of the songs was Satpal’s song on the chimta with Lalli on the dhol they had the audience out of their seats.

Giddha had a lot more to offer this year, directed by Japinderpal Dhanoa it truly showed the village wedding scene. Lal Singh Bhatti showed what a true performer can do, after intermission he played the Dhol and sang a song on a letter from Punjab.

Mirza Sahiban directed jointly by Surinder Dhanoa and Ramish Walia with theme commenting written and spoken by Balbir Ragi. The item truly brought out the soul of the Punjabis, Gurpal Randhawa as masi Bibo and Surinder Dhanoa and Japinderpal Dhanoa were very convincing as Mirza and Sahiban. The lighting was handled very well the audience was really moved by the tragic self-destruction scene of Sahibans after Mirza’s death,

The next item may be the trophy winner judging by the applause. Badalde Rang directed by Mani Dhanoa and Sheena Nijjar was an extravaganza. Expressing dance around the world from the sands of the Sahara to the clubs of Europe and finally the call of the Dhol of Punjab. The audience just went wild with joy the eight teenagers Mani, Sheena, Rinku, Karen, Jaspreet, Aarti, Anuradha and Simrat were just magnificent in every sense of the word.

Bhangra was just superb this year the magic of Satpals voice for the Bolian and the hypnotic way that Jalli played the Dhol just made the audience forget that they had been sitting in the same seat for six hours watching their childhood come alive. I am sure if one was to peek into the minds and hearts of everyone there, there were fond memones of Gulli Danda of mothers cursing fathers, the whipping of Amli Chacha of Fauj Mama of loving Tai and strict chachi and of youthful eyes that ‘once met for a moment under the Pipal trees. What happened here this evening was magic, magic of Punjab and Baisakhi mela for which Punjab cultural society is to be commended. The security was tight and the 1500 or so people sat to the end.

The show as said was long but No one seemed to mind for this was Not a question of time, it was a moment were time is measured in love not hours. It was a moment of bonds and fond memories of people proud of their heritage. A moment of a community that is proud of its Punjab night which was evident by its conversation and happen to overhear between too young men after the show, a little tipsy yet proud, when one said to the other, “Sadae Shar Ve Ena Noon Kehna Show Karan” and the local boy getting a little loud and proudly possessive replied, “Saaliah eh tae saadae pind da mela hai assi nee kitte ve jaan dena.

Article extracted from this publication >> June 1, 1990