Our Story
The Punjabi Arts Association of Toronto (PAA) stands as a dynamic, not-for-profit, volunteer-driven entity devoted to fostering a vibrant cultural tapestry within the South Asian immigrant community through the rich medium of performing arts. Beyond a mere showcase of historically-themed plays and movies, PAA serves as a cultural hub facilitating engaging seminars and discussions. Our paramount mission is to intricately weave the threads of South Asian culture into the fabric of Canadian mainstream society. PAA is passionately dedicated to celebrating, preserving, and exploring the essence of South Asian heritage
Our Story
Punjabi Arts Association of Toronto (PAA) is an independent, not-for-profit, volunteer-based organization that presents issues of relevance to the South Asian immigrant community through the performing arts. While we focus on the production of historically-themed plays and movies, the organization also hosts seminars and discussions. Our primary objective is to celebrate and explore South Asian culture, particularly in relationship to the Canadian mainstream. We are committed to creating awareness of the disastrous effect of drugs and violence on our youth and to explore issues that arise from generation gaps and family challenges. PAA promotes positive values of the Punjabi and South East Asian cultures, and strives to explore their interaction with mainstream Canadian culture. PAA supports other charitable organizations through stage plays, cultural shows and seminars that are held at cultural and fundraising events.
Our History
The dedicated performers and volunteers of the Punjabi Arts Association have been serving the local community since 1992. The organization became registered as a not-for-profit organization in 1999. We present issues that are current to the South Asian immigrant community, especially in relationship to the Canadian mainstream, through historically-themed stage plays, seminars and discussions.
Some of our past productions, such as Hind Dee Chader (1994), Chamkuar Dee Garhi Ton Sirhind Tak (1995), Aazadi De Jahaaz (2001) and Inqlaab Zindabaad (2002), were dedicated to martyrs of our culture. Richtian Da Kee Rakhiye Na (1997) dealt with the partitioning of Hind and Pak and the theme of Sab Kichh Hot Upaie (1999) was to encourage our audience and cast to become champions of justice in the true spirit of our martyrs.
Since 2000 our plays have focused on themes of family and immigration issues, violence stemming from drug abuse, Female foeticide, generation gap, domestic violence and other social challenges. Since 2000, we staged following plays – Pinjray (Cages) (2000), Hoai Pardesi (1996), Aatish (The Spark) (2003), Dhukhday Kleeray (2004), Mera Ghar Meri Kahani (2002), Ik Jung Eh Vee (2006), Raat Chanani (2007), Wrong Number (2008), RSVP (2009), Mr. MLA (2010), Sirjana (2010), Me & My Story (2011), Aahlna (The Nest). Ik Supne Da Political Murder (2013), Kadhan Rait Dian,( 2015-16), Gallan Terian (2018).
The cast of many of these productions featured youth performers, in the hope of inspiring young people to remain focused on achieving their dreams and to avoid drug addiction, violence and gang activity. Through our organization, we hope to mentor our youth to develop hidden talents and to build brighter futures for themselves, their community and society.
Punjabi Arts Association worked with the following directors – Dr. Pali Bhupinder, Dr. Atamjit, Nirmal Rishi, Hardip Gill from India and many more.
We believe that in order to build a bright future for Canadian society it is important to motivate our youth to reveal and develop leadership qualities. Our organization is helping to accomplish this goal by offering our younger members the opportunity to develop their skills and talents and to explore their own relationship with family, community and society.
Punjabi Arts association recognized by The Ontario Trillium Foundation, Punjabi Sath Lambra, Ramgarhia Sikh Society, Desh Bhagat Sports and Culture Society, Indo Canadian Workers Association, Gurbax Malhi M.P., Dr. Ruby Dhalla M.P., Vick Dhillon M.P.P., Dr. Kuldip Kular M.P., Avtar Kaur Aujla Councillor City of Brampton, Vicky Dhillon Councillor City of Brampton, Raminder Gill M.P.P., Baba Bhag Singh Girls College Sukha Nand, Pravasi award Toronto etc.
Our movie production, Virsa (Heritage), was well received by our community.
As true reflections of our culture, these productions offer meaningful and timeless messages about the importance of balancing tradition with the challenges of contemporary society.
About Our Vision
We believe that in order to build a bright future for Canadian society it is important to motivate our youth to reveal and develop leadership qualities. Our organization is helping to accomplish this goal by offering our younger members the opportunity to develop their skills and talents and to explore their own relationship with family, community and society.
Punjabi Arts association recognized by The Ontario Trillium Foundation, Punjabi Sath Lambra, Ramgarhia Sikh Society, Desh Bhagat Sports and Culture Society, Indo Canadian Workers Association, Gurbax Malhi M.P., Dr. Ruby Dhalla M.P., Vick Dhillon M.P.P., Dr. Kuldip Kular M.P., Avtar Kaur Aujla Councillor City of Brampton, Vicky Dhillon Councillor City of Brampton, Raminder Gill M.P.P., Baba Bhag Singh Girls College Sukha Nand, Pravasi award Toronto etc.
Our movie production, Virsa (Heritage), was well received by our community.
As true reflections of our culture, these productions offer meaningful and timeless messages about the importance of balancing tradition with the challenges of contemporary society.
Our History
The dedicated performers and volunteers of the Punjabi Arts Association have been serving the local community since 1992. The organization became registered as a not-for-profit organization in 1999. We present issues that are current to the South Asian immigrant community, especially in relationship to the Canadian mainstream, through historically-themed stage plays, seminars and discussions.
Some of our past productions, such as Hind Dee Chader (1994), Chamkuar Dee Garhi Ton Sirhind Tak (1995), Aazadi De Jahaaz (2001) and Inqlaab Zindabaad (2002), were dedicated to martyrs of our culture. Richtian Da Kee Rakhiye Na (1997) dealt with the partitioning of Hind and Pak and the theme of Sab Kichh Hot Upaie (1999) was to encourage our audience and cast to become champions of justice in the true spirit of our martyrs.
Since 2000 our plays have focused on themes of family and immigration issues, violence stemming from drug abuse, Female foeticide, generation gap, domestic violence and other social challenges. Since 2000, we staged following plays – Pinjray (Cages) (2000), Hoai Pardesi (1996), Aatish (The Spark) (2003), Dhukhday Kleeray (2004), Mera Ghar Meri Kahani (2002), Ik Jung Eh Vee (2006), Raat Chanani (2007), Wrong Number (2008), RSVP (2009), Mr. MLA (2010), Sirjana (2010), Me & My Story (2011), Aahlna (The Nest). Ik Supne Da Political Murder (2013), Kadhan Rait Dian,( 2015-16), Gallan Terian (2018).
The cast of many of these productions featured youth performers, in the hope of inspiring young people to remain focused on achieving their dreams and to avoid drug addiction, violence and gang activity. Through our organization, we hope to mentor our youth to develop hidden talents and to build brighter futures for themselves, their community and society.
Punjabi Arts Association worked with the following directors – Dr. Pali Bhupinder, Dr. Atamjit, Nirmal Rishi, Hardip Gill from India and many more.
Our Mission
Punjabi Arts Association of Toronto is an independent, not-for-profit, volunteer-based organization that presents issues of relevance to the South Asian immigrant community through the performing arts. While we focus on the production of historically-themed plays and movies, the organization also hosts seminars and discussions. Our primary objective is to celebrate and explore South Asian culture, particularly in relationship to the Canadian mainstream. We are committed to creating awareness of the disastrous effect of drugs and violence on our youth and to explore issues that arise from generation gaps and family challenges.
Punjabi Arts Association of Toronto promotes positive values of the Punjabi and South East Asian cultures, and strives to explore their interaction with mainstream Canadian culture. Punjabi Arts Association supports other charitable organizations through stage plays, cultural shows and seminars that are held at cultural and fundraising events.
Our History
The dedicated performers and volunteers of the Punjabi Arts Association have been serving the local community since 1992. The organization became registered as a not-for-profit organization in 1999. We present issues that are current to the South Asian immigrant community, especially in relationship to the Canadian mainstream, through historically-themed stage plays, seminars and discussions.
Some of our past productions, such as Hind Dee Chader (1994), Chamkuar Dee Garhi Ton Sirhind Tak (1995), Aazadi De Jahaaz (2001) and Inqlaab Zindabaad (2002), were dedicated to martyrs of our culture. Richtian Da Kee Rakhiye Na (1997) dealt with the partitioning of Hind and Pak and the theme of Sab Kichh Hot Upaie (1999) was to encourage our audience and cast to become champions of justice in the true spirit of our martyrs.
Since 2000 our plays have focused on themes of family and immigration issues, violence stemming from drug abuse, Female foeticide, generation gap, domestic violence and other social challenges. Since 2000, we staged following plays – Pinjray (Cages) (2000), Hoai Pardesi (1996), Aatish (The Spark) (2003), Dhukhday Kleeray (2004), Mera Ghar Meri Kahani (2002), Ik Jung Eh Vee (2006), Raat Chanani (2007), Wrong Number (2008), RSVP (2009), Mr. MLA (2010), Sirjana (2010), Me & My Story (2011), Aahlna (The Nest). Ik Supne Da Political Murder (2013), Kadhan Rait Dian,( 2015-16), Gallan Terian (2018).
The cast of many of these productions featured youth performers, in the hope of inspiring young people to remain focused on achieving their dreams and to avoid drug addiction, violence and gang activity. Through our organization, we hope to mentor our youth to develop hidden talents and to build brighter futures for themselves, their community and society.
Punjabi Arts Association worked with the following directors – Dr. Pali Bhupinder, Dr. Atamjit, Nirmal Rishi, Hardip Gill from India and many more.
VISION
We believe that in order to build a bright future for Canadian society it is important to motivate our youth to reveal and develop leadership qualities. Our organization is helping to accomplish this goal by offering our younger members the opportunity to develop their skills and talents and to explore their own relationship with family, community and society.
RECOGNITION
Punjabi Arts association recognized by The Ontario Trillium Foundation, Punjabi Sath Lambra, Ramgarhia Sikh Society, Desh Bhagat Sports and Culture Society, Indo Canadian Workers Association, Gurbax Malhi M.P., Dr. Ruby Dhalla M.P., Vick Dhillon M.P.P., Dr. Kuldip Kular M.P., Avtar Kaur Aujla Councillor City of Brampton, Vicky Dhillon Councillor City of Brampton, Raminder Gill M.P.P., Baba Bhag Singh Girls College Sukha Nand, Pravasi award Toronto etc.
FILMS
Our movie production, Virsa (Heritage), was well received by our community.
FUTURE
As true reflections of our culture, these productions offer meaningful and timeless messages about the importance of balancing tradition with the challenges of contemporary society.