A celebration of the music, dance and history of northwestern India will be presented at the "Punjabi Heritage Festival" 5 p.m. Saturday in Fairfield.
Hosted by the Punjabi American Cultural Association, this is the second annual event the group has held dedicated to the victims and heroes of 9/11. At the same time, the event will celebrate the diversity of the nation. The festival is free, and will be held at the Fairfield Center for Creative Arts, 1035 Texas St.
The Punjabi American Cultural Association is a group of Sikh-Americans who formed to both educate the community about their people and celebrate the culture of Punjab, a state in northwest India that means the "land of five rivers," said Dr. Gurpreet Dhugga, spokesman from the association.
At least 700 families living in Solano County today are from Punjab, a largely agricultural area with traditions such as the Giddha - a ladies dance - and Bhangra dances that will take the stage Saturday.
Bhangra is a folk dance that started with the celebration of the harvesting season and the fruits of their hard labor in the old times, Dhugga said.
"It is very colorful, very upbeat and an enthusiastic dance," he said.
Also featured will be authentic east Indian cuisine, which is complimentary by tradition.
"Hospitality is a major part of our tradition, we love to entertain people," Dhugga said. "You can go anywhere in the world, to a Sikh temple, and you will get food, even in the middle of the night."
Also featured will be Bruce La Brack, professor of anthropology and sociology at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, who will offer a presentation on the immigration of Punjabis to the American shores; state Sen. Mike Machado, D-Solano; professional Punjabi singer Janice Miller; a performance by the Christian Life Center, Fairfield chorus; and historical exhibits.
Preserving the history and traditions of Punjab is paramount to Sikhs in America, said Bhupinder Sandhu, a second generation Sikh-American and member of the association.
Sandhu, 51, for 10 years taught the Punjabi dialect to his American-born children, and other youngsters to keep the language alive so that they could communicate with their relatives.
"It's a natural tendency to hold on to your way of life," Sandhu said.
"We want to make sure they are proud of their country, but at the same time, we want them proud of their ancestry."
Sandhu said he's not worried the culture of Punjab eventually being lost, but there is a transition under way. Sandhu's grandchildren will be fourth-generation Sikhs in America.
"I've met people from many countries. My impression is that everybody is the same. They have the same needs, the same feelings. There is no difference," he said. "We can learn so much about other people, but the first thing we should learn about is our roots," Sandhu said.
Dhugga and the association are hoping that area school teachers will attend the event.
"We feel that if the teachers are aware of Sikhs and Punjabis, then it will be easier for them to teach the other children who have a lot of questions about children with different appearances," he said.
Admission is free, but seating capacity is limited. For more information, call 428-7662, or visit the Punjabi American Cultural Association Web site at www.pacassociation.org.