FOLK LOK LIVE – Reviving the Living Tradition of Punjabi Folk Music and Storytelling

Royal Academy of Punjab is proud to announce FOLK LOK LIVE – Punjabi Folk Singing & Storytelling Workshop, a culturally significant initiative dedicated to preserving, promoting, and passing forward the living traditions of Punjabi folk heritage to the next generation.

Running from May 15 to June 15 in Surrey, British Columbia, this special initiative is supported by the City of Surrey, Government of British Columbia, Government of Canada, community sponsors, and media partners. The project reflects a shared commitment to multiculturalism, cultural preservation, youth engagement, and community connection through the arts.

At the heart of this project is a simple but powerful belief: culture survives when it is lived, shared, sung, and passed from one generation to another.

Preserving the Voice of Punjab

Punjabi folk traditions have historically carried the stories of everyday people — their joys, struggles, celebrations, humor, relationships, history, and collective memory. Through folk songs, boliyan, and oral storytelling, generations have expressed their connection to land, family, community, and identity.

However, as younger generations grow up in increasingly fast-paced and digitally driven environments, opportunities to engage deeply with traditional cultural knowledge have become more limited. Many youth hear Punjabi music, but fewer have opportunities to learn the deeper meanings, structures, history, and storytelling traditions behind authentic folk expression.

FOLK LOK LIVE was created to help bridge that gap.

The project will provide youth with direct access to traditional Punjabi folk learning experiences rooted in authenticity, participation, and cultural understanding. Through guided workshops, participants will explore traditional singing styles, boliyan, folk narratives, rhythm, emotional expression, and the cultural context that shapes Punjabi folk arts.

More importantly, the initiative creates a welcoming environment where youth can reconnect with their roots while building confidence, pride, and a stronger sense of identity within Canada’s multicultural society.

Led by Renowned Folk Artist Gurpreet Singh “Gunni”

The workshop series will be led by acclaimed Punjabi folk singer and storyteller Gurpreet Singh “Gunni,” whose work has played an important role in preserving and presenting authentic Punjabi folk traditions to contemporary audiences.

Known for his deep connection to traditional folk expression, Gunni brings not only artistic experience, but also cultural knowledge, storytelling ability, and a passion for preserving heritage through meaningful community engagement.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn directly from an artist who understands the emotional depth and historical significance of Punjabi folk traditions beyond performance alone.

Building Community Through Culture

FOLK LOK LIVE is not only about preserving songs — it is about strengthening community.

The initiative will bring together youth, families, artists, elders, and community members through shared cultural experiences that encourage dialogue, participation, and intergenerational connection. By creating space for storytelling and artistic exchange, the project helps strengthen relationships between generations while ensuring that cultural knowledge remains active and accessible.

The project will conclude with a public community showcase where participants will perform alongside Gurpreet Singh “Gunni,” celebrating their learning journey with the wider community. This event will welcome audiences from all backgrounds and create opportunities for intercultural understanding and appreciation.

In a city as diverse as Surrey, cultural initiatives like FOLK LOK LIVE play an important role in strengthening social connection, mutual respect, and community belonging.

Supporting Youth Identity and Cultural Confidence

For many second-generation youth, navigating identity between cultures can be challenging. Access to meaningful cultural learning opportunities can help young people feel more grounded, confident, and connected to their heritage.

Through music and storytelling, participants will gain:

• Greater cultural understanding
• Confidence in self-expression
• Stronger intergenerational connection
• Opportunities for leadership and participation
• A deeper appreciation for Punjabi heritage and oral traditions

The project also encourages youth to become future cultural ambassadors who can continue sharing and preserving these traditions within their communities.

Accessibility and Inclusion

Royal Academy of Punjab believes culture should be accessible to everyone.

To reduce barriers to participation, FOLK LOK LIVE will provide:

• Free participation for all youth
• Accessible venue facilities
• Inclusive community outreach
• Bilingual support in English and Punjabi
• Welcoming spaces for participants from diverse backgrounds

The project reflects the values of inclusion, diversity, and community engagement that continue to shape British Columbia’s multicultural landscape.

A Collective Effort to Preserve Heritage

Royal Academy of Punjab sincerely thanks the City of Surrey, Government of British Columbia, Government of Canada, sponsors, supporters, and media partners for recognizing the importance of cultural preservation and supporting initiatives that empower communities through the arts.

Their support helps ensure that Punjabi folk traditions continue to live not only in archives or memories, but in voices, performances, stories, and community experiences shared by future generations.

FOLK LOK LIVE is more than a workshop series.

It is a celebration of identity.
A gathering of generations.
A preservation of stories.
And a commitment to keeping the spirit of Punjabi folk culture alive.

About Royal Academy of Punjab

Royal Academy of Punjab is dedicated to the preservation, education, and promotion of Punjabi arts, culture, music, dance, and heritage through community programming, cultural education, performances, and youth engagement initiatives across British Columbia and beyond.

Through its work, the organization continues to create spaces where culture can be experienced, understood, and proudly carried forward by future generations.

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