There were chimtas, there were dhols, there were sappars, there were peerhees, there were colourful lachas, silk kurte, doppattas with gotta, there was culture and yes there was history. A student of kinesiology at Victoria, B.C., Kira’s great great grandfather was the first Sikh to come to Canada. As such she is the fourth generation Canadian.

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Chardi Jawani (Blooming Youth)

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It all came together at Next Generation’s Bhangra Nation. 13 Bhangra teams from ages 8 up to 25, from the US to Victoria B.C, Canada, got together to compete against one another. The teams were emotionally charged and the level of energy was unbelievable. You would imagine guys climbing on one another’s backs and shoulders to impress the audience, but our young bhangra dancers from Shan-e-Punjab (Punjab’s pride) were nowhere far from guys. They did the same.  

Rochester Bhangra

These teams have the most amazing and interesting names, and when translated into English they are even more fascinating. Take for example “Nache Tapde Punjabi” (Dancing, Jumping Punjabis), Charhdi Jawani (Blooming Youthfulness), Ministry of Bhangra…yes folks…there is no official Ministry of Bhangra, however the team on Generation Next’s cover is called Ministry of Bhangra.

Ranvir Raoi - Foundaer of Bhangra Nation

“Bhangra Nation has grown over the years,” says Ranvir Roi, the Founder of Bhangra Nation. Professionally, a pharmacist, Mr. Roi started Bhangra Nation during his years in University of Toronto. The success of the event can be determined by the fact that the event was sold out with almost 350 people present. Mr. Roi says that many a times, parents bring the kids to such event to retain the cultural identity, to preserve Punjabi heritage.

And truly it would have been quite hard to dance on the beat of the dhool without understanding what is being said in the song.

Author: Staff Writer