With kaato in Canada

Peeyush Agnihotri

Statistically speaking, being merely four per cent of the total population could drown one’s voice, values or cultural ethos in a distant foreign land. Then you look at Punjabis in Canada and census conclusions go for a toss. Not only has this community made strides in the field of education, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and sports, Punjabis are also lending cultural vibrancy and folkloric boisterousness to Canada in a mega way. Mega in terms of building social capital, lending ethnic appeal and exerting traditional influence.

We are talking about gidda steps and bhangra beats here. Punjabis dominate the land of maple leaf with rhythmic moves and steps. Almost every cultural extravaganza or big-community event in Canada rounds off with boliyaan, gidda or bhangra. A must on the agenda like a bowl of dessert on that six-course menu! Bhangra bug hasn’t even spared PM Justin Trudeau either (remember those gyrations during his India visit.)

A slice of culture 

Internationally-reputed teams dot Canada from east coast to the west. Gender doesn’t matter. Nachda Punjab, Kauran di Taur (an exclusively female team), Elite Punjabi Institute of Culture (Epic) from Calgary, Vancity from Vancouver, Shan-e-Punjab from Surrey, Punjab Folk Dance Academy, Edmonton, Shaan Punjab Di and Nachdi Jawaani from Toronto  — just to name a few — are the most popular bhangra troupes in Canada. 

Bhangra teams are level (and not age) based — level I being for rookies. It goes up from here. Community performers usually start from age five. Practicing, organising events and managing logistics require resources and commitment, both in generous proportions. One good competition of international repute can cost anywhere between $45,000 and $70,000. Teams visit various cities in Canada and the USA as trophy contenders. Hotel stay, food, venue, practice rooms, pick-up and drop-offs are managed by hosts and sponsors. The winning team gets a citation, a trophy and some cash prize (starts from a couple of grands depending on the budget), besides a huge brag appeal. The ranking carries a lot of weight in bhangra circles. 

“If you look at the serious international contenders, there are at least 12 bhangra teams of global repute in Canada. Take province or academy-level performers into consideration and the number swells to over 70,” says Balkaran Hiro, coach and instructor of Calgary-based Nachda Punjab. He says bhangra is as essential to him as breathing. “One of the life vitals,” adds Hiro.

Names of the international bhangra competitions are as fancy as the attire of the dance form — Bhangra Idols (Vancouver), Vasdaa Punjab (Bay Area), Dhamak (Calgary), Reign of Bhangra (Seattle), Bhangra in the 6ix (Toronto), T Dot (GTA), Boston Bhangra (Boston), Queen City Bhangra (Ohio), and Flower City (GTA). By the way, Flower City is performed on live music and not on recorded background beats. Such is the mass appeal that reputed bhangra shows are always a sell-out.

People and props 

Parental commitment is huge. If Canuck sports scenario boasts of committed hockey moms, bhangra has given us passionate dhol dads. Parents drop off their kids for practice sessions and monitor every move. They shadow their child’s schedule and take a day off to facilitate his/her stage performance. But, if you think bhangra is for Punjabis exclusively, you may be mistaken. It pans beyond community here in Canada. An immigrant from Kerala, Jacob Parayil’s son started bhangra practice almost a year ago. “I want him to learn the North Indian dance. It keeps him engaged in a constructive activity and is a great way to exercise as well. Also, it does keep him away from trouble. And Snapchat,” he says. Jacob’s son is level I but hey, is he progressing!

There are some challenges as well. Bringing or importing cultural items from India, for example, is one. “I faced a hard time when I was trying to import a dhol to Canada. I had to convince immigration officers and make them understand the relevance of the item. I paid extra, but I am glad that they didn’t confiscate it,” recalls Charanjit ‘Channi’ Toor from Mehak Punjab Di, an academy that dominated the cultural scene in Alberta almost a decade ago. Such is Channi’s passion for Punjab’s culture that he proudly displays artefacts and instruments in a special room at his home.

The best part is that the vitality of the community is not letting the art die. The cultural wick keeps burning as one generation mentors the other. Those who make it big, tutor the younger dance enthusiasts. It goes on. Then there are community gems like Dr Daljinder Johal, a former bhangra coach from GHG Khalsa College, Gurusar Sudhar. Popularly known as Johal Uncle, this doyen grand-dad figure, who is hashtagged #BhangraGod by his students on social media, took upon himself the task of passing on the skills and coach the younger generation after immigrating to Canada. A septuagenarian, Johal Uncle was honoured at the just-concluded international competition, Dhamak, in Calgary.

Steps in rhythm, kaato in hand, the vibrant community moves on in colourful attire, keeping the tradition alive. So long as the passion passes on from one generation to another, the art form will live forever.