ISSUE
Friday, August 15, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 72
More than 400 people attended the lohri celebrations organised for the second time in Christchurch, this past weekend.
An initiative of city-based social organisation Indian Cultural Group (ICG), the event started with the traditional giddha dance and bhangra performances by ICG's own dance group called Ankhile Punjabi.
Sandeep Sachdev, President of ICG, noted, “Our goal this year was to focus on women issues and women empowerment. That's why our female members took the lead in preparing as well as conducting this year's lohri. To follow it up, our member Nimmi Bedi will be starting an informal coffee club soon where Indian and South Asian women can come and discuss their issues in a comforting environment.”
Meanwhile, in a bid to give some encouragement to local talent, the event also featured a Christchurch-based singer Gurinder Mann treating audiences to some traditional Punjabi boliyan and folk songs.
Later as the evening warmed up, the entire gathering joined the fun and danced on the dhol beats and traditional folk music arranged by DJ Avi. Prizes for best-dressed male and female in traditional Indian clothing as well to best-dressed children were also distributed.
The traditional flavour of the evening was further accentuated by the festively appropriate food of sarson da saag with makki ki roti, lassi, cholle kulche, and pani puri.
Overwhelmed by the response, Mr Sachdev concluded, “We have succeeded in making a small part of Christchurch resemble mini Punjab and Haryana for an entire evening. Next on cards is the uttarayan makar sankranti kite-flying festival, which is being organised by the ICG on January 14, at Halswell Domain in Christchurch. And all are invited.”
More than 400 people attended the lohri celebrations organised for the second time in Christchurch, this past weekend.
An initiative of city-based social organisation Indian Cultural Group (ICG), the event started with the traditional giddha dance and bhangra performances by ICG's own dance group...
More than 400 people attended the lohri celebrations organised for the second time in Christchurch, this past weekend.
An initiative of city-based social organisation Indian Cultural Group (ICG), the event started with the traditional giddha dance and bhangra performances by ICG's own dance group called Ankhile Punjabi.
Sandeep Sachdev, President of ICG, noted, “Our goal this year was to focus on women issues and women empowerment. That's why our female members took the lead in preparing as well as conducting this year's lohri. To follow it up, our member Nimmi Bedi will be starting an informal coffee club soon where Indian and South Asian women can come and discuss their issues in a comforting environment.”
Meanwhile, in a bid to give some encouragement to local talent, the event also featured a Christchurch-based singer Gurinder Mann treating audiences to some traditional Punjabi boliyan and folk songs.
Later as the evening warmed up, the entire gathering joined the fun and danced on the dhol beats and traditional folk music arranged by DJ Avi. Prizes for best-dressed male and female in traditional Indian clothing as well to best-dressed children were also distributed.
The traditional flavour of the evening was further accentuated by the festively appropriate food of sarson da saag with makki ki roti, lassi, cholle kulche, and pani puri.
Overwhelmed by the response, Mr Sachdev concluded, “We have succeeded in making a small part of Christchurch resemble mini Punjab and Haryana for an entire evening. Next on cards is the uttarayan makar sankranti kite-flying festival, which is being organised by the ICG on January 14, at Halswell Domain in Christchurch. And all are invited.”
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