The tour began on the 7th
April and ended 19th April with the team returning to
Birmingham 20th April 2006. This whole tour was made possible
through Punjab based Marawaha Brothers, Amandeep Designs,
The Balli Family, Neel Kamal Emporium, Ladys Libas and
Jaimal Udyog, all of whom had sponsored Nacahda Sansaar
and to whom I and the whole team are all very grateful.
Punjab TV
Whilst in Punjab we visited local art colleges
to discuss the evolution of bhangra in the UK and we saw
some local teams perform as well as performing our own
routine. The highpoint of the tour for me was the performance
on Vaisakhi, on the 13th April at Rangla Punjab where
we were filmed by a television company who will be broadcasting
the event in the near future throughout Punjab.
Vaisakhi
Vaisakhi, is a harvest celebration, and is especially
important in Northern India especially in the state of
Punjab. It is named after the month Vaisakh. For Sikhs,
it is also anniversary of the creation of the Khalsa (the
army of the Pure Ones) in 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh.
The day is celebrated by joyful Punjabis
who attend huge open air festivals where they perform
Bhangra to the beats of the Dhol and to Boliyan (Punjabi
songs). Some of the movements enact the entire process
of agriculture from the tilling of the soil through to
harvest, these are also a part of our routine and where
performed at Rangla Punjab.
Dhol Drummers
Another highlight on what for me was an
amazing 12 days was the surprise visit to India by Harvi,
who is one of our Dhol players (drummers). Harvi is doing
a 2 year round the world trip, and took time out to join
the tour with us. Enough love and respect to Harvi Malhi.
I set up base with 3 other team members, Anil Banger, Harvi
Malhi and Ajee Aujla, at the Kamal Palace, in Jallundar.
Believe me we got loads of stick from all our families for
doing this, as Punjabi's are know for their big hearts,
hospitality and generosity our decision to stay in a hotel
and not with family was not taken well at the beginning,
but we knew that this was going to be the case.
Amritsar
When not performing I visited and caught
up with family, friends and visited various places of
interest. On Vaisakhi I visited Amritsar the location
of Harmindar Sahib, popularly known as the Golden Temple;
it was Guru Ramdas Ji's legacy to Sikhism. The dome of
the temple is made of pure gold and really stands out.
This masterpiece monument attracts a lot of visitors from
around the world.
On a personal note for me it was important
that I made this trip and feel a lot better for taking
the time to make the trip or pilgrimage and getting some
inner peace. We made the most of this by visiting
a local Vasahki mela on our way to Wagha border.
Punjab Wedding
I also experienced a wedding in Punjab which
was a colourful, bright and joyous experience. With lots
of fresh food, fruit and salads - I never knew you could
have so many vegetarian dishes. Due to the hot weather
I did indulge odd cold refreshing beers.
Due to my love of music I took advantage of the exchange
rate of the pound to the rupee, and purchased many music
CDs for the fraction of the price of what they would cost
in the UK. It would have been almost impossible to get
some of the old stuff back in the UK.
Vibrant Spirit
Punjab is definitely a place worth visiting
as it is a place with rural charms amidst urban prosperity.
It is a haven of culture and heritage, with its friendly
people, vibrant spirit and delicious cuisine. And somewhere
that I felt at home, comfortable at ease and chilled.
The only thing missing was my nearest and dearest especially
my wife, and my girls Jaiya & Anaiya.
The whole tour has been a once in a life
time experience, which I enjoyed with my closest friends,
who I refer to as my brothers, and one that I hope will
happen again.
Again I would like to thank everybody that
made the trip possible to every one I meet for making
the experience such a special one and most of all that
Big Man Whaheguru himself that makes it all possible.
Sat Malhi
Well done to Harvi and the rest of the boys, Doing us
proud!
Bernie
Well done Amandeep, looks like you had a great time and
this article was very interesting.
Ruby M.
I'm very proud of my brother-in-law Amandeep. I know that
the trip was very special and important for you. I'm sure
that you will take your family away to see their roots
soon in the future. Well done.
Harjinda Jhitta
Excellent article, Looks like you boys had a great time.
Well done, keep up the good work.
Harminder Singh
Excellent article - keep up the good work and keep on
promoting the Punjabi culture.
Ajay Madar
Interesting to see how you guys have taken your passion
for Bhangra all around the world and finally back to its
birth place in Punjab. I've seen the group on a few occasions
and its always a treat so I'm not surprised about the
fantastic response! Keep up the good work.
Carl Drewery
I have never been to India but still found this article
most illuminating.
N Madar
Congratulation to Amandeep (Jij) and the group, nice to
see such passion in the Sikh ways and traditions.
Tracy S
Must have been a brilliant experience, thanks for sharing
with us.
Alkajit Kaur Dhami
YES!!!!! I am the proud sister of Amandeep Singh Dhami.
I would just like to say that i am very proud of my brothers
and its really nice to see how far they have come and
done for us to see what Punjabi is all about... Thank
you my brothers, you have given me a lesson i SHALL never
forget.
Raj Sirpal.
sounds like a great experience, thouroghly enjoyed by
all in your team it seems. Brings back memories. keep
it up.
Jas Janda
Well done to all the group, can't have been easy in that
heat!
Jas S
I think its great that the cultural excange of british
punjabis and Indian punjabis has moved on from the footie
tournaments. Your a lucky so and so Mr Amandeep, to have
had the chance to experience the lifestyle with your brothers.
Fab article!
Jass
Well done to you all. It fantastic to see so many young
people these days taking an interest and getting involved.
My daughter and her friends are learning and love it.
We need it to carry on into the comming generations and
for them not to forget the traditional punjabi culture.
Cathie
Wow - this sounds great! You paint a vivid and exciting
picture. Well done. When can we see you performing locally?
Karen Morton
A very interesting report - Thanks for sharing your experience
with us.Well done!
Phil P
Congrats on a successful trip ! it is not only important
to bring the Punjabi culture to Britain through Bangra
dancing, but also to take your own Western influenced
Bhangra routines back to where it originated. Very impressed
!!!!!! Good luck for the future.
Duff Mivers
Fantastic Story. Well done boys. You should all be very
proud.
Marion Jordan
It looked like a great trip very colourfull. Thanks for
sharing it with us.
Harjinder Tagger
Well done we are proud to be punjabis. Keep up the exellent
work. Raab rakhaa sadaa hovee. My 6 year old son loves
bhangra. Good luck for the future brothers.
Linda G
what a brilliant trip and a great summary. thanks for
sharing it
Bugsy Taheem
What a lucky bunch of lads! Big Up Birmingham - Big Up
Punjab ! WELL DONE BOYS!!
Vish Hallan
Excellent article, good to know that the Punjabi contingent
from the UK went back to the 'roots' to show locals it's
not on;y in Punjab where bhangra rocks. Nice one NS!
Imran Dar
I am a muslim I love Bhangra dancing and I like watching
it and listening to the Bhangra music. Keep up the good
work.
ANIL KENTH
Sounds like an interesting trip... Well done guys...
Charanjit
Keep up the good work keeping our culture alive!
Pama
Great pictures you can actually feel the vibrancy of the
Punjab, I hope we have an opportunity to see their Punjab
performance if they have filmed it.
boy chana
congratulations - learning the art of bhangra in the uk
is brillant - but taking it back to the punjab and being
proud of the heritage is a great honour to represent British
Bhangra. well done guys !
Raja. S. Medare
My comment is i am an indian(Sikh) and i can dance too
but Amandeep Singhs dancing is good.my uncle knows you
guys and so does my friend
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