A Day in Punjab

EVENT Schedule – Saturday, August 1: 11am-5pm

ARMORY STAGE

Time

Activity/Performance

11:00am

Punjabi Music videos

11:45am

Who are Sikhs?

11:55am

Festival Introduction hosted by MC Arrjun

12:07pm

Turban Presentation & Demo
Jaspreet Singh from Khalsa Gurmat Center and Vikram Singh (AmaSingh Magic) will take the mic to share the cultural and spiritual significance of the Sikh turban. Gary from Pagga Aale 22, along with additional volunteers, will lead a live turban tying demonstration, giving audiences an inside look at the skill, technique, and tradition that go into tying a turban.

12:29pm

Ardab Mutiyara Giddha – Dance
Giddha is a vibrant and energetic traditional folk dance primarily performed by women in Punjab. The dance is defined by boliyan, which are short, traditional rhyming couplets or folk songs sung in a call-and-response format. Ardab Mutiyara is an all-girls giddha group who trains at the ABC Dance Center, Seattle's Bhangra and Giddha academy since 2006.

12:42pm

Punjabi Likhari Sabha - Traditional live music & singing
Led by President Pritpal Singh Tiwana, Punjabi Likhari Sabha Seattle keeps Punjabi language and literature alive through poetry recitation, book readings, and cultural gatherings. Today, Canadian artists Billa Takhar and Gurnam Thandi will bring an authentic touch of Punjab’s musical heritage to our stage through the dhadd and sarangi (traditional Punjabi instruments).

1:02pm

AmaSingh Magic
Vikram Singh Khalsa, known as AmaSingh, has been amazing audiences since his very first magic act at a second-grade holiday party. Now with over 15 years of experience he has performed for companies and events around the world, including Google, Amazon, Netflix and more. He is also President of the International Brotherhood of Magicians (Ring 192) and a member of the Society of American Magicians.

1:37pm

Gurmat Sangeet – Music Instrument Demo
Founded by UC Davis students Abjot Kaur and Rasleen Kaur, the Gurmat Sangeet Initiatives (GSI) is building the educational infrastructure to preserve and expand access to Gurmat Sangeet, the Sikh tradition of Raag-based kirtan. By connecting students, teachers, and institutions through structured learning and community programs, GSI is helping ensure this living tradition is passed on for generations to come.

Alongside GSI are local community teachers and students of Gurmat Sangeet including Justin Singh, Amandeep Kaur, Tarsem Singh and Karan Singh.

2:02pm

Emerald City Dholis – Drumming Group
Emerald City Dholis is a Seattle-based dhol ensemble dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich tradition of the dhol, the iconic double-sided drum of Punjab. Through performances and education at ABC Dance Studio, the group shares the history, artistry, and cultural significance of an instrument that has brought communities together for generations.

2:08pm

Open Dance Floor - Drums

2:19pm

Break

2:30pm

Piano with Arjun
Arjun Syan, professionally known as Piano With Arjun, is a London-based pianist known for his unique ability to play entirely by ear. Blending Punjabi, Bollywood, and contemporary music, he has performed at weddings, private celebrations, and corporate events across the UK and internationally. His talent has been recognised by major artists including Karan Aujla, Jazzy B, Manni Sandhu, Lilly Singh, and more.

3:10pm

Remarks by SEVADAR Team
Founded in 2016 in Kent, WA, SEVADAR is a non profit organization focused on volunteerism, community service, and raising awareness about Sikh and Punjabi culture.

3:25pm

3:40pm

Mehfil'Aaley – Live Band
Founded by Steeven Singh Toor, Mehfil’Aaley brings young qawwali and punjabi folk musicians from across North America, built on the belief that a mehfil is a gathering you join, not a show you watch. They were raised in the west, but their hearts were shaped by the harmonium, the tabla, and the voices of those who came before them.

4:42pm

Baaghi Bhangra – Dance
Baaghi Bhangra is a premier, Southern California-based competitive Bhangra team known for their high-energy, raw, traditional folk style, winning first place at Bruin Bhangra, Back to the Roots, and the Big D Bhangra Competition. They're closing out our day, so clear some space, you will end up on your feet!

4:47pm

Closing Ceremony - Open dance floor

5:00pm

End

ARMORY FLOOR

Jaswant Singh Khalra Exhibition

This small exhibition honors human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra and his courageous work exposing mass disappearances in Punjab. Displayed along the railing inside the Seattle Center Armory, it brings his story and legacy of justice into public view

Turban Tying

Come learn about the importance of the Turban in Sikhism and Punjab culture. Guests can watch, ask questions, and even try getting a turban tied for free!

Photo Booth

Stop by the photobooth and take pictures with friends and family with a cultural background. It’s a great way to capture memories from the day!
Backdrop courtesy of Rose Event & Décor + Lux Vinyl & Events
Photography by Kamal Pabla

Vendors

Check out the vendor area to explore different items, cultural goods, and community resources. It’s a great way to support local businesses and see what they have to offer!

ARMORY WEST BALCONY

Langar Seva

Langar Seva is a central principle in Sikhism and is about serving others and bringing the community together. Everyone is welcome to try traditional vegetarian Punjabi food for free up on the balcony!
Sponsored by:
- Karma, Puyallup
- Daawat, Seattle
- India Bistro, Kent
- Jot Sweets, Kent
- Mandeep Pooni
- Jaskaran Singh

Kids' Activity Area

A dedicated space where children can enjoy fun activities and stay entertained while you explore everything A Day in Punjab has to offer.

ARMORY EAST BALCONY

Instrument Exhibition

Enjoy a curated instruments exhibition showcasing iconic Punjabi instruments. Attendees can view the instruments up close, read about their history and cultural significance, and watch demonstrations of how each instrument is played and how it sounds.

ARMORY LOFT LOBBY

Magic Workshop (~1:45pm)

Have your kids been amazed by magic? Now they can learn the secrets! Join Vikram Singh Khalsa—AmaSingh—in an interactive workshop where he will teach a few easy magic tricks that anyone can perform with everyday objects! No experience necessary - perfect for kids and beginners.

Gurmat Sangeet Workshop (~2:10pm)

The music workshop invites attendees to learn about the musical traditions within Sikhi and try playing instruments themselves. This participatory element offers strong visual and human interest content for reporters and photographers.

Sikhlens Film Screening

Film 1: Ferrofluid
- Ferrofluid is a Punjabi experimental fusion band based in Chandigarh. The band consists of ten musicians from different regions of Punjab. Some of them are trained in traditional music, while others are trained in Western styles. This allows the band to transcend fixed genres. Although the band is composed of young people, their music explores philosophical themes. Their songs span from the era of Baba Nanak to modern poetry by Shiv Kumar Batalvi, blending diverse influences freely. The band’s creative process is simple: gathering, playing, and letting things flow. The rest, they say, is God’s work.
Film 2: Water Warriors
- Punjab is the land of five rivers. That's the story. The truth is that Punjab has two and a half rivers left, and the water in them is making people sick. Water Warriors follows Dr. Manjeet Singh, the founder of Water Warriors Punjab. He didn't set out to lead a movement. He walked down to the Sutlej one Sunday and started picking up plastic. He posted it on Instagram. People joined him. Today, every weekend, Water Warriors Punjab stands on the banks of the Sutlej, the Ravi, and the Beas. The film also goes into the villages of Ludhiana and Abohar, where the consequences are no longer hidden. A 17-year-old with white hair. A 13-year-old with the joints of an old woman. A brother lost to cancer at 28. Sixty percent of the kinnow orchards in a region that used to be called the California of Punjab, dried up in two years.
Film 3: Amrita Kaur - A Magical Voice
- Born in the UK, raised in New Zealand, parents from Malaysia, Punjabi at her roots — Amrita's identity is what she calls a "kichadi." A mix. She doesn't fully resolve it. She sings it instead. This film follows Amrita and her father — the man who taught her, believed in her before she believed in herself, and whose Kirtan tradition started with his own mother decades before Amrita was born. It captures her performances, her candid reflections on faith and identity, and the moment she realized that architecture and music couldn't coexist at equal priority anymore.

VENDORS

TOP TIER SPONSORS

View the 2025 highlights below

OVERVIEW

Seattle Center Festál presents A Day in Punjab in partnership with Sevadar. This festival celebrates the Sikh/Punjabi culture through free turban tying, Gatka (Sikh martial arts), Bhangra & Giddha (traditional dances), live singing, dhol (drums), poetry, singing, play, Sikh/Punjabi history exhibition, immigrant stories, free langar seva (food), kids’ activities, and more.

HISTORY

Information provided by Sevadar

A Day in Punjab is an annual festival organized by Sevadar, a local non-profit group, with a mission to share and celebrate Sikh/Punjabi culture. The event was initially known as ‘Turban Day’ and was celebrated outdoors at the International Fountain for several years. The main purpose was to educate the public about the unique Sikh identity by tying free turbans. Over time, the festival grew and moved to the Armory, expanding its scope and attracting a diverse range of local and international artists.

Today, A Day in Punjab offers an opportunity to share the Sikh/Punjabi culture with the Greater Seattle community. Their goal is to create a welcoming environment where everyone can learn, celebrate, and experience the vibrant Sikh/Punjabi culture. They are committed to making the festival bigger and better each year, continuously enhancing the experience to celebrate and share our culture with an even wider audience.

DID YOU KNOW?

Punjab is a state in the northwest part of India. The name "Punjab" comes from the Persian words "Punj" (five) and "Aab" (water), referring to the five major rivers that once flowed through this vibrant region.
Sikhism was founded in 1499 and is the fifth-largest religion in the world, with an estimated 25-30 million followers.
Punjab is known as the “breadbasket” of India where the biggest crop farmed is wheat.
Gatka is a traditional Sikh martial art that combines physical combat with spiritual practice. Developed by Sikh Gurus for self-defense, it promotes discipline, courage, and a deeper connection to the divine.
Sri Harmandir Sahib, or also known as The Golden Temple, is the central religious place of the Sikhs and is visited by millions every year. Its’ structure is coated with 24-karat gold. It serves free vegetarian meals to over 100,000 people daily.
The Partition of India in 1947 split the region of Punjab between India and Pakistan. The effects of this division are still felt in both countries today.

A Day in Punjab

EVENT Schedule – Saturday, August 1: 11am-5pm

ARMORY STAGE

ARMORY FLOOR

ARMORY WEST BALCONY

ARMORY EAST BALCONY

ARMORY LOFT LOBBY

VENDORS

TOP TIER SPONSORS

View the 2025 highlights below

Photo Gallery

Festival Partner Website

A Day in Punjab Event Details

Festal Sponsor

Campus Sponsors