For Punjabi community of Chicago, especially the youth, the flagship annual event of the Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (PCS) “Rangla Punjab 2021” to celebrate Vaisakhi festival on April 25 was a welcome breath of fresh air, albeit virtual. The program was free of charge. It was heartbreaking for many when “Rangla Punjab 2020” had to be cancelled in the last stages of performance practices due to the Covid 19 pandemic, for the safety of our community and public, and to be compliant with the government guidelines. “Well, we were not the only ones, we had company, and it was the right thing to do,” said Balwinder Singh Girn, PCS president 2020.

“Because of popular demand from the community members suffocating in the COVID-19 lockdowns and looking for activities to keep our spirits high the PCS board decided to go ahead with Rangla Punjab 2021 virtually,” said Parvinder Singh Nanua the PCS president 2021. It was the first virtual Rangla Punjab show, but it wasn’t the first Zoom session for PCS because it already had one for its annual “Graduation Night 2020” zoom event under its belt last year.

Parents supported and children started practicing at home or in their backyards within their family immunity bubble, with items like Bhangra, Giddha dances and songs to perform at Rangla Punjab 2021. Nearly 50 participants presented 20 performances of songs, dances and music including an elementary schooler playing Punjabi “Dhol” no less skillfully than a regular musician.