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Lawmakers to perform Bhangra at Delaware’s Vaisakhi event

The lawmakers have undergone special Bhangra training for their performance

The event will take place at the Sikh Center of Delaware / Facebook

This year, Delaware will celebrate Vaisakhi, a harvest festival that is celebrated by Sikhs all over the world, on Apr.14. The highlight of the event will be a special Bhangra (traditional Punjabi dance) performance by the state legislators.

According to an official statement, the lawmakers, who have specially trained for the performance under expert Bhangra tutor, will perform during the Vaisakhi event at the Sikh Center of Delaware near New Castle. 

Sen. Bryan Townsend, Delaware's Senate majority leader; Rep. Sophie Phillips—Delaware's first and only legislator with a family connection to India; Sen. Elizabeth Lockman, Senate majority whip; and Rep. Paul Baumbach, Rep. Sherry Dorsey Walker, Sen. Stephanie Hansen and Sen. Laura Sturgeon along with legal aide Emmy Diaz are set to take the stage at the event.

“The legislative team worked hard and invested a lot of time preparing for the performance under the instruction of regional Bhangra legend, Vishwas Singh Sodhi—popularly known as Vicky —who has performed extensively, including at several NBA basketball games,” the statement noted.

In addition to the legislators, the event will feature performances by the community’s college and children’s  teams mentored by Twinkle Madan Chadha.The free event will also have langar, the traditional vegetarian meal distributed to all at Sikh Gurdwaras (places of worship).

Celebrated annually in April, Vaisakhi is a harvest day celebration for communities in and from Punjab, India.The festival also commemorates the day when Guru Gobind Singh, Sikhs' tenth Guru, established Khalsa Sikhs and offered them five emblems of purity and courage. April has been designated as Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month in Delaware for the last eight years.

Traditional festivities include visiting the local Gurdwara in the morning for prayers, followed by langar (a communal free vegetarian meal for everyone, Sikh or non-Sikh) and fellowship. It could be followed later by Bhangra dancing, singing, and other cultural activities at many temples.
 

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