A festival for the season at Maples CC
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This article was published 24/09/2021 (619 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Winnipeg’s 2021 Raunak Teeyan Di was a huge success.
The popular women-only celebration was held outdoors on Aug. 28 at the Maples Community Centre baseball fields. Over 750 women and children attended the fun, day-long event.
This was the fourth annual festival produced by Can-Asian Team, whose lead organizers Sandeep Bhatti, Ravinder Bole, Ravinder Brar and Mandir Kaur – were supported by dozens of dedicated volunteers.
The star attraction was the renowned renowned Punjabi singer Nachhatar Gill who had everyone dancing non-stop. The festival is a carnival-like atmosphere at which women wore their finest traditional outfits, met with friends, made new friends and, of course, danced and feasted. The kids had fun with rides and play structures.
Teeyan festival has its roots in the Punjab region of India. The popular festival celebrates daughters and sisters, as well as happiness, prosperity and well-being. Moreso, it is the festival of the monsoon season. According to Wikipedia it is “celebrated during the monsoon season from the third day of the lunar month of Sawan on the bright half, up to the full moon of Sawan.” During this period, the longed-for rain is welcomed, which always comes as a relief.
Traditionally, married women celebrate the festival by visiting their parents’ houses.
The day before the Teeyan festival, girls apply henna to their hands and feet. On festival day, women put on their best and most colourful outfits and jewelry.
The fair resounds with Teeyan songs. The very popular giddha folk dance is a highlight of the festival. This high-energy, fast-paced music and dance is performed by a band of women musicians and dancers.
Sandeep Bhatti has already booked the date for the 2022 Can-Asian Team Teeyan festival at Maples Community Centre.
Derek Dabee is a member of the board of trustees of Seven Oaks School Division and a community correspondent for The Maples. You can contact him at ddabee@mymts.net
Derek Dabee
The Maples community correspondent
Derek Dabee is a community correspondent for The Maples.