Balle, Balle, Balle! Vaisakhi Hangama ‘08
Last Updated: June 13, 2008

Dancers in colorful Punjabi clothes put on a spirited show to the delight of the audience at the Punjabi Society of Houston’s tenth year celebration

HOUSTON: Houston has become World Famous for its Annual International Festival. In this week long celebrations, Houstonians and others from all over the Texas are treated to a total Cultural Immersion of one region or country, the selected theme of the year. This year it was Africa, but a few years back it was India.

“The Punjabi Society of Houston” deserves a great applause that in its tenth-year celebrations on May 30th, they presented to Houstonians a complete cultural immersion of “Sare Deshan Vicho Desh, Punjab Ne Saeo” (Of all the countries, Oh my friend, the one is Punjab).

Historically, Punjab has been bifurcated first into two, then the East Punjab was further trisected, but all these Political divisions could not disturb the Cultural Integrity of Punjab.

This was so evident on the May 30th, evening, when “Vaisakhi Hangama 2008” shook up all Houstonians, with the loud beat of “Dhole” – A unique Musical Beat Instrument of Punjab. Its beat is such that all the young (and those still young at heart) just cannot but dance and experience joy. Something great, this year was that even kids 6 to 7 year old (Japraj, Jeev, Mithoo, and Jas) joined, the experienced Dhole Player, Ghareeb Das and played the dhole.

After a brief Introduction of Punjabi Society of Houston by Hardeep Kaur, emphasizing the main mission of the ten-year-old society to promote, preserve and pass on to posterity the rich culture and heritage of Punjab.

The items were well rehearsed, choreographed, directed and produced. Participation of so many talented performing artists – Punjabi Diaspora, from all over, thousands of miles away from Punjab, and extremely enthusiastic participation by children really brought to light the truth of age old Punjabi Folk Song, “Sare Deshan….”

There were five Bhangra groups for the competition: Bhangra Revolution, Pure Punjabi Bhangra Group, Texas de Gabru, Houston diyan Mutiyaran, Desi Mutiyaran and the marvelous job of MC of all the Bhangra Competition items were done by Manpreet and Deepi Sidhu. In between, there were Dancing Divas…Tere Rang Balle Balle was choreographed by Maithily and MCs were Jasmeeta Singh and Jaswant Singh Jassi.

Punjabi School Dance Presentation and the dance of Desi Angles .. Ajaa Nach Le and Nach le Gale were performed by kids. The choreography was by Jasmeeta Singh. MCs were Japreena (11) and Urtaj (10), very young kids.Houston de Gabroo, a dance performance which was a choreography of Vicky and Mani. The mike was in the able hands of Jaswant Singh Jassi and Jasmeeta.