Toronto Bhangra Federation

[zagreus]

The point is that the leaders of teams/academies are getting together to form a federation and the assumption is that there will be punitive measures if unsportsmanlike conduct occurs (2 year ban from comps). But, these same leaders have proven incapable of controlling their members in the past, so it's tough to believe that things will change.

Furthermore, if the federation does prove successful (which I hope it does) it only goes to show that the teams have weak people who can't demonstrate restraint without the fear of their team getting banned. That is pathetic and a much larger issue. As Imran said, it's a dance...if it's really about culture then why retain a dancer who shows no respect or common sense?

The other argument of course is that groupies are often center of fights/instigation, so hopefully this gets things under control and forces them to calm down at comps and afterparties

I feel this is still too small either way. This is the Toronto Bhangra Federation, how many competitions happen in that area? maybe 5 at most? I'm not gonna bother naming them off, but i'm gonna guess 5. So this group will basically certify 5 competitions? I find it all just too small. Also, it seems that people talk about wanting to preserve their culture, and they're doing the dance for the culture. I find that argument nowadays to be BS. I've met a number of people over the past few years in the circuit, and the majority of them don't just dance for their culture. They dance to have FUN, to be around other people...and maybe others have some bad things they want to do, but still...preserving the culture isn't priority number 1. I have also met those who want to really show off what they do, and are proud of their culture in that respect, it was especially true talking to Charan and the VDW guys at bruin. They felt they wouldn't place at Bruin, but they wanted to go anyways. And look at what happened, they placed.

Imran makes a great point, and the larger issue isn't the competitions themselves, it's the people going to them. I'm not even calling out anyone in particular, but it's just a shame. Also, i've grown very tired of people saying this competition is rigged...blah blah blah. That's not even an argument, but simply hearsay. and also again, who cares? People say the bad judging (sure it happens, but the judges live in the MOMENT, and don't have the ability to review things) is really ruining bhangra and the competitive landscape. no it's not, people with no ability to take a loss are ruining bhangra. just man up, and have fun. if i'm on a team and everyone says my team should win, and i felt we should....eh, it doesn't matter. if i'm fronting the money to go these competitions, all i need out of it is just the ability to have fun.

Also, by all standards, how do you go about certifying competitions? People talk about it being OUR culture, and how WE are running it now. that can also be construed as a racist statement. sure, i'm punjabi, but if the competition i go to is being run by another group, but is well done, i can care less. Look at Bayside for example, would you think that would be certified by a group that talks about PRESERVING culture? I would assume not. I'm not sure if Vince Patel knew enough about bhangra, but the man knows how to run a show. I didn't agree with the judging, but at the end, who cares. I believe every single team that went to Bayside said it may have been the best of the year/ever.

Although i'm in support of a group to help certify competitions, i look at a different level. I want it to simply ensure that the competition is best equipped to run a show. Do they have the staff and the money on hand to run it. That's what matters. The judging will sort itself out. There will always be flaws with it, and i wouldn't trust an uncle who has experience with bhangra, but is against girls dancing. That guy shouldn't judge in my opinion. Everyone has an opinion (and clearly this is mine), but why kill creativity by taking out some level of uniqueness out of a set. Would the leprechaun kick from SGPD qualify as a folk move? I doubt it, but it's very memorable. The most memorable moves are sometimes the ones that go against the grain, and really just says...WOW! That was cool!

That is all for me, time to go home from work

 

[AnkurK]

The competitive culture of Canada will make the federation 1. rigid, 2. politics ridden and 3. relevant only to Canada (hopefully). Sorry Canadian circuit, the Bhangra circuit has given you too many chances, and time and time again you have proven yourselves to lack sportsmanship. It is the very coaches and owners of the studios who set the shitty team culture, and it poisons the minds of the youth in those academies. I have seen and heard of COACHES being babies, yelling and overall throwing hissy fits. I doubt those who run the federation will be chosen from anywhere other than people with like-minded attitudes. There should be 1 federation, run by American AND Canadian teams and personel. More than one federation will make Bhangra very segmented. That being said, I hope everything I stated turns out to be wrong and presumptious, because I want this to work.

Word. Until Toronto teams work on their own individual sportsmanship and competition culture their legitimacy in running a fair and honest bhangra federation is in question. Why would I trust a federation where most of the people on the board are probably members of teams which openly fight, talk trash, intimidate and harass other teams at competitions? Ask any American team, we have all seen it.

Agreed. The very people who perpetuate the problems in the bhangra scene today are creating this federation? Sounds like a recipe for disaster.

I Disagree, the teams in toronto have expanding our culture and punjabi roots imensly. Growing up in brampton teams like NJ and SGPD along with RPD made me want to dance, to find out what bhangra was and how it related to where my parents came from. There may be bickering and argueing on this scene, but am i really to believe that we are the only ones that have it? Toronto has the second biggest punjabi population next to surrey bc, there is alot of people and egos to deal with which is more then most american teams have todeal with. I think its very unfair to say the people that "perpetuate the problems" are the ones making up this federation. The federation i believe is made up of representatives from each team working togather. By making a claim like that you are, questioning the validity and intergrity of those in the federation, you are in turn calling out every team that dances here. I hardly believe that is fair or respectful for the teams in this area that do there best to promote our lifestyle and culture where we live.

"The federation i believe is made up of representatives from each team working togather"
You don't even know what this shit is made up of. I could see them working "togather", but definitely not together.

"By making a claim like that you are, questioning the validity.." wait wtf!? Did you need a mothafuckin' comma there?
"there is alot of people and egos to deal with" wtf!? (part II)

" I think its very unfair to say the people that "perpetuate the problems" are the ones making up this federation."
Sucks.. It's them!

Content Removed

Moderator's Note: He's not representing the organization, no need to slam him with the video

 

[lavesh]

this may be kinda nerdy, but this is what this whole conversation reminds me of hahahaha:

How Liberty Dies

 

[Bharathi]

this may be kinda nerdy, but this is what this whole conversation reminds me of hahahaha:

How Liberty Dies

ur right lavesh it is kind of nerdy

 

[gursikhpreet1]

this may be kinda nerdy, but this is what this whole conversation reminds me of hahahaha:

How Liberty Dies

haha i was thinking the same thinggg

 

[Ak_Di_Nishani]

The competitive culture of Canada will make the federation 1. rigid, 2. politics ridden and 3. relevant only to Canada (hopefully). Sorry Canadian circuit, the Bhangra circuit has given you too many chances, and time and time again you have proven yourselves to lack sportsmanship. It is the very coaches and owners of the studios who set the shitty team culture, and it poisons the minds of the youth in those academies. I have seen and heard of COACHES being babies, yelling and overall throwing hissy fits. I doubt those who run the federation will be chosen from anywhere other than people with like-minded attitudes. There should be 1 federation, run by American AND Canadian teams and personel. More than one federation will make Bhangra very segmented. That being said, I hope everything I stated turns out to be wrong and presumptious, because I want this to work.

Word. Until Toronto teams work on their own individual sportsmanship and competition culture their legitimacy in running a fair and honest bhangra federation is in question. Why would I trust a federation where most of the people on the board are probably members of teams which openly fight, talk trash, intimidate and harass other teams at competitions? Ask any American team, we have all seen it.

Agreed. The very people who perpetuate the problems in the bhangra scene today are creating this federation? Sounds like a recipe for disaster.

I Disagree, the teams in toronto have expanding our culture and punjabi roots imensly. Growing up in brampton teams like NJ and SGPD along with RPD made me want to dance, to find out what bhangra was and how it related to where my parents came from. There may be bickering and argueing on this scene, but am i really to believe that we are the only ones that have it? Toronto has the second biggest punjabi population next to surrey bc, there is alot of people and egos to deal with which is more then most american teams have todeal with. I think its very unfair to say the people that "perpetuate the problems" are the ones making up this federation. The federation i believe is made up of representatives from each team working togather. By making a claim like that you are, questioning the validity and intergrity of those in the federation, you are in turn calling out every team that dances here. I hardly believe that is fair or respectful for the teams in this area that do there best to promote our lifestyle and culture where we live.

"The federation i believe is made up of representatives from each team working togather"
You don't even know what this shit is made up of. I could see them working "togather", but definitely not together.

"By making a claim like that you are, questioning the validity.." wait wtf!? Did you need a mothafuckin' comma there?
"there is alot of people and egos to deal with" wtf!? (part II)

" I think its very unfair to say the people that "perpetuate the problems" are the ones making up this federation."
Sucks.. It's them!

Content Removed

Moderator's Note: He's not representing the organization, no need to slam him with the video

^what the hell did anything you just say have to do with anything on this thread:S. Did u make any postive contribution at all to this thread by saying wtf twice and commenting on my use of commas:S. Im at a loss for words in describing why you even wasted ur time commenting in no positive manner:S. I have no desire to argue with you whatsoever, but how you stick to thread eh buddy. cheers

 

[Gabroo Tv]

The competitive culture of Canada will make the federation 1. rigid, 2. politics ridden and 3. relevant only to Canada (hopefully). Sorry Canadian circuit, the Bhangra circuit has given you too many chances, and time and time again you have proven yourselves to lack sportsmanship. It is the very coaches and owners of the studios who set the shitty team culture, and it poisons the minds of the youth in those academies. I have seen and heard of COACHES being babies, yelling and overall throwing hissy fits. I doubt those who run the federation will be chosen from anywhere other than people with like-minded attitudes. There should be 1 federation, run by American AND Canadian teams and personel. More than one federation will make Bhangra very segmented. That being said, I hope everything I stated turns out to be wrong and presumptious, because I want this to work.

Word. Until Toronto teams work on their own individual sportsmanship and competition culture their legitimacy in running a fair and honest bhangra federation is in question. Why would I trust a federation where most of the people on the board are probably members of teams which openly fight, talk trash, intimidate and harass other teams at competitions? Ask any American team, we have all seen it.

Agreed. The very people who perpetuate the problems in the bhangra scene today are creating this federation? Sounds like a recipe for disaster.

I agree with all 3 of you. This is not to directly put down any teams in Canadian provinces, but there has been a strong showing of "neglect" in respect to sportsmanship. I too have even seen coaches of various Toronto teams go over the top, so it's not surprising the way some of these teams act.

The thought of a group of individuals BANNING something(english) lyrics is inexcusable and indicative of the state of mind of these individuals. That is not "preserving" culture, but rather illustrative of the neurotic tendencies of misguided individuals. Don't try and micro-manage the scene, but let it develop.

I agree with you as well brother... We definitely need some foundation in the circuit, but going as far as banning someone for using english lyrics or hip hop influenced music is unjust. Regardless of if we like it or not, Bhangra now has 2 sects. Traditional folk Bhangra, and Modern Bhangra. Let modern Bhangra be what it is, we should focus our efforts to teach competitions to clearly state what their competition type is, or split traditional and modern categories at a show. We should also try to inspire competitions to choose properly qualified judges dependent on their competition style, whom have no bias or affiliation with teams in the circuit. I cannot express how many times I have seen teams plant judges by way or recommending them to the organizing committee, and having the judge actually be selected. It's not fair. I'm all in support of this, if done properly and fairly.

 

[Stylez1]

Mariam, look at what you caused..

 

[Charanjit]

The thought of a group of individuals BANNING something(english) lyrics is inexcusable and indicative of the state of mind of these individuals. That is not "preserving" culture, but rather illustrative of the neurotic tendencies of misguided individuals. Don't try and micro-manage the scene, but let it develop.

No one is gonna be banned for using English lyrics...they will deduct marks on the judging sheet for using them...this comp is made up of leaders from all the academies in gta...they basically want to have more traditional bhangra and a set judging rubric...i was told that the members from each academy was asked to openly discuss any problems they might have with the other teams so that they can get them out of the way and come to a positive attitude towards each other...teams will be banned if they act out of line or cause a commotion at the comps.

 

[faizan]

Will there be banning for bad sportsmanship? That would be a REAL good idea, and I would probably support this idea much more.

 

[G. Sidhu]

/

 

[Sunny B]

No one is gonna be banned for using English lyrics...they will deduct marks on the judging sheet for using them...this comp is made up of leaders from all the academies in gta...they basically want to have more traditional bhangra and a set judging rubric...i was told that the members from each academy was asked to openly discuss any problems they might have with the other teams so that they can get them out of the way and come to a positive attitude towards each other...teams will be banned if they act out of line or cause a commotion at the comps.

Thanks Channi for explaining it properly bro. As far as i remember from the first Fed meeting the membere are:-

Name Team

Iqbal Virk Nachdi Jawani

Gurpreet Pinka Rooh Punjab Dee

Narinder Aujhla Shan-e-Punjab

Raminder Aujhla Rhythm of Punjab ( founder of step called "Jandu Singha") ( N.Y.P.D.)

Vic Sehdev S.G.P.D.


that's all i can remember so far...and i think they have a meeting twice a month to work on a new judgment sheet for Toronto competition and also about rule and regulations.

 

[Ashveer]

I really wonder what bhangra in north america would look like if these guys were concerened about changes in bhangra and created a federation in 1995.
Bhangra Dance

 

[Ashveer]

No one is gonna be banned for using English lyrics...they will deduct marks on the judging sheet for using them...this comp is made up of leaders from all the academies in gta...they basically want to have more traditional bhangra and a set judging rubric...i was told that the members from each academy was asked to openly discuss any problems they might have with the other teams so that they can get them out of the way and come to a positive attitude towards each other...teams will be banned if they act out of line or cause a commotion at the comps.

Thanks Channi for explaining it properly bro. As far as i remember from the first Fed meeting the membere are:-

Name Team

Iqbal Virk Nachdi Jawani

Gurpreet Pinka Rooh Punjab Dee

Narinder Aujhla Shan-e-Punjab

Raminder Aujhla Rhythm of Punjab ( founder of step called "Jandu Singha") ( N.Y.P.D.)

Vic Sehdev S.G.P.D.


that's all i can remember so far...and i think they have a meeting twice a month to work on a new judgment sheet for Toronto competition and also about rule and regulations.

Holy crap, we can found our own steps? I can just see it now:
Dheerja Kaur- Founder of the NYC Waali Kurdi step

 

[Sukha]

I really wonder what bhangra in north america would look like if these guys were concerened about changes in bhangra and created a federation in 1995.
Bhangra Dance

LOL hahahaha

 

[Avneet]

Holy Moly! They're just bhangra competitions!!! Not Mafia wars! calling a meeting of the five fathers... putting the writing on the wall. Any wrong step taken by one of the "founding fathers" or his team and an order will be put in to handle "the situation." This is a joke. Honestly if all Punjabi guys put half the effort they put in stuff like this into their careers or umm education we would be in a far better place.

 

[Waleed]

This will have pros & cons but my biggest concern is that this will limit creativity. Bhangra in North America, danced to a music routine can not be compared with folk bhangra - it has taken a life of its own. Like any art, Bhangra has evolved and we shouldn't hinder that process.

However, on the other hand live teams will keep the truest and purest form of Bhangra alive. If anything the federation should focus on this.

 

[MPElive]

I won't get into too much detail about Toronto Bhangra Federation but I can certainly assure you that all competitions in Toronto (with the exception of Bhangra Nation for now) will be using the same judging rubric and same rules/regulations all across the table.

This is certainly a step forward to make sure all academies/teams/organizers are on the same page in Toronto.

 

[Ricky916]

I'm a lil bit confused on this federation thing.
So if the federation helps decide the judging and etc. Wuldnt it benifit the teams that are in the federation and give a higher advantage going into a comp because they helped decide on judging.
And wuldnt it also not benifit an out of state team because they hav no say on judging?!?!
Jus a lil confused if nyone culd clear dis up it wuld b appreciated!

 

[G. Sidhu]

I really wonder what bhangra in north america would look like if these guys were concerened about changes in bhangra and created a federation in 1995.
Bhangra Dance

While i understand ur point and where u r leading with it... but if u look at it... theres not much difference.. u still see all the segments like jhummer dhamaal fumnia etc etc in there.. just that energy aspect has been integrated n slight change in execution.