The James Logan Courier

By Jasmeen Banwait, Courier Staff Writer

According to Wikipedia.org, Lohri is “the Indian version of an annual thanksgiving day and an extremely popular harvest festival in India, especially Northern India. Come January, and the fields of Punjab are filled with the golden harvest of wheat and farmers celebrate Lohri during this rest period before the harvesting and gathering of crops. Lohri is usually celebrated in the outdoors by friends and family who get together and have a bonfire in the evening.


During the day, children go from door to door singing folk songs in praise of Dulha Bhatti, a thief in folklore who helps the poor and fights for their rights. These children are given sweets and savories, and occasionally, money. These collections are known as Lohri, and they are distributed at night during the festival. Some may be offered to the sacred fire.”

The Punjabi Club is planning to celebrate Lohri, the bonfire festival, in Colt Court during Friday evening from 6:30- 9:30 p.m. in the evening. . The club also celebrated Lohri last year, where families and students gathered for festivities.

The night was accompanied with Punjabi music, dancing, special dance performances by students of Logan, along with Indian snacks and tea. Most families dressed in traditional clothing and enjoyed a cultural evening conversing with other families while sitting around a small bonfire. Students enjoyed themselves by dancing along to Punjabi and hip-hop music played by students from Logan.

Courier Staff Writer Simrath Sangha played the dhol, a popular instrument resembling a drum, at last year’s event. Not only were Logan students present at the celebration, but students from different schools also jointed the festivities. “I like attending cultural events, especially those held at schools because it shows how much our youth respects our culture. I liked last year’s Lohri event, and I’m thinking about attending this year’s event at Logan as well,” said Jagdeep Braich, a senior at Foothill High.

This year, Harpaul S. Rana, who teaches the Punjabi language at Logan and is advisor to the Punjabi Club, has many expectations for the upcoming Lohri event. “This celebration is a family celebration, and I expect a large turn up. I also expect the students to be orderly. I expect students and their friends to know that alcohol is not allowed on campus and has severe consequences. Also, students should not wait until last minute to purchase their tickets at the gate. No more than 10 tickets will be sold at the gate. As soon as 10 tickets are sold, the gates will be locked,” said Rana.

Rana also mentioned that this year, the winning participants of the dance competition held during the Lohri event will be awarded trophies.

The Punjabi Club also has a few other events planned. They are planning to celebrate Holi, the festival of colors, sometime in early March on Logan campus during both lunches. The club is also planning a teacher’s lunch sometime in April.