Impact & Achievements

Group photo of girl dancers

Preserving & Advancing Punjabi Folk Arts Through Performance, Education & Community Engagement

Royal Academy of Punjab has over 30 years of experience in Punjabi folk arts, with roots in Punjab, India and continued development in Canada since the early 2000s. The organization formally established its Canadian operations in 2011 and has since delivered programming across British Columbia through performances, workshops, and community engagement initiatives.

Its work focuses on preserving and promoting Punjabi folk traditions through dance, music, and education, with sustained involvement in festivals, schools, and cultural events across local, national, and international platforms.

Impact Summary

  • 30+ years of artistic practice and cultural programming (India and Canada combined)
  • Established presence in British Columbia since 2011
  • Extensive portfolio of performances, workshops, and community engagements
  • Ongoing training and mentorship of youth in Bhangra, Giddha, and Punjabi folk arts
  • Competitive teams with multiple placements across Canada and the United States

Community Impact in Canada (Since 2011)

Since establishing in Canada, Royal Academy of Punjab has contributed to cultural programming across Metro Vancouver through performances, workshops, and collaborations.

  • 2005 – Washington DC
  • 2005 – Yuba City, USA
  • 2008 – Parliament House, Ottawa, Canada
  • 2009 – Bhangra Masti
  • 2011 – Downtown Bhangra, VIBC, Vancouver
  • 2012 – Collaboration with Jewish Community Centre (Punjabi & Israeli folk dance)
  • 2013 – Vasakhi Celebration with South Slope School Burnaby, BC
  • 2013 – Master Bhangra Workshop VIBC
  • 2013 – VIBC Bhangra Performance Vancouver, BC
  • 2013 – HSBC Bank Bhangra Team (choreographed) for VIBC Festival Vancouver, BC
  • 2013 – Canada Day Festival (Langley, BC)
  • 2013 – Collaboration with Highland dance for SAFA Surrey, BC
  • 2013 – National Event of Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada Vancouver, BC
  • 2014 – BMO Marathon Performed with live Dhol & singers
  • 2014 – VIBC Transfusion supported by Canada Arts Council Vancouver, BC
  • 2015 – Songs of Revolution Supported by Hari Foundation and Vibc, Vancouver, BC
  • 2015 – VIBC Downtown Bhangra (Bhangra Highland Fusion) Vancouver, BC
  • 2015 – Canada Day Festival (Langley, BC)
  • 2015 – VIBC Tranfusion Surrey, BC
  • 2015 – SFU 50th Anniverary, Burnaby, BC
  • 2015 – SFU Diwal Night Gala Surrey, BC
  • 2016 – South Pointe School Multicultural Night Surrey BC
  • 2016 – Valentine Edition Vancouver, BC
  • 2016 – Business for the Arts (Transfusion)
  • 2016 – Vaisakhi Mela Phoenix, AZ
  • 2016 – Colours of Punjab Surrey, BC
  • 2016 – BC Multicultural Awards (Highland Bhangra Fusion) Vancouver BC
  • 2017 – colours of Punjab Surrey, BC
  • 2017 – Folk Fusion Surrey, BC
  • 2018 – Folk Lok Live, Surrey BC
  • 2019 – Small Stage, Vancouver, BC
  • 2019 – SFU Diwali Night Gala, Surrey, BC
  • 2021 - Folk Lok Live, Surrey, BC 
  • 2022 - Colours of Punjab Surrey, BC
  • 2022 - Folk Lok Live Surrey, BC 
  • 2022 - Inter Academy Dance competiom Surrey, BC 
  • 2023 - Colours of Punjab Surrey, BC
  • 2023 - Folk Lok Live Surrey, BC
  • 2023 - Inter Academy Dance Competion Surrey, BC 
  • 2024 - Punjabi Folk Dance and Music Workshop, BC
  • 2024 - Granville Block Party Dance Workshop
  • 2025 - Folk Live lok Live Punjabi folk dance workshops Surrey
  • 2026 - Folk lok Live Reviving the Living Tradition of Punjabi Folk Music and Storytelling

National & International Recognition

The Academy's artistic roots extend back to India, where founder-led performances and cultural initiatives established a strong foundation for future growth. Today, Royal Academy of Punjab continues to represent Punjabi culture on stages across Canada, the United States, and India while earning recognition for artistic excellence in Bhangra, Giddha, and Punjabi folk music.

  • Performed as resident artist for North Zone Culture Center from 1992 to 2003
  • Performed as part of school competitions and exhibitions from 1993-97, 1999, 2001
  • Performed at Indian People’s Theater Association National Conference on January 11, 2001
  • Red Cross Millennium Carnival January 16, 2000
  • Indian Republic Day performance on Januar 26, 2001
  • Central Cultural Center of Punjab State Electricity Board on February 27, 2002
  • Punjabi University Youth Festival Patiala Zone, 2001-2002
Royal Academy students group photo

Competitive Achievements

The Academy’s teams have consistently achieved top placements in Bhangra and Giddha competitions across North America, demonstrating sustained artistic excellence and innovation in folk performance.

The Academy’s teams have consistently achieved top placements in Bhangra and Giddha competitions across North America, demonstrating sustained artistic excellence and innovation in folk performance.

  • 2004 – Punjabi Showdown
  • 2006 – Punjabi Showdown
  • 2007 – Punjabi Showdown
  • 2010 – Bhangra Idols, Coquitlam, BC (judge)
  • 2011 – Bhangra Idols, Coquitlam, BC (judge)
  • 2011 – Coast Capital Bhangra Competition, VIBC, Vancouver
  • 2012 – Surrey festival of dance international competition, SFD, Surrey
  • 2012 – British Columbia High school Bhangra competition, Richmond, BC (judge)
  • 2012 – Bhangra Idols, Coquitlam, BC (judge)
  • 2015 – Dance Cup Canada Juniors ( First place Whistler, BC
  • 2015 – Dance World Cup Juniors ( First Place) Whistler, BC
  • 2015 – Elite Bhangra Competition Senior live First Place Abbotsford, BC
  • 2015 – Bhangra State of Mind Senior live (First Place) Sacramento, CA
  • 2015 – Legacy of Bhangra Senior live (First Place) Legacy, CA
  • 2017 – Bhangra State of Mind (First Place) Sacramento, CA
  • 2017 – Reign of Bhangra (First Place) Seattle, WA
  • 2017 – GHG Bhangra (2nd Place) California, CA
  • 2018 – Vibe Bhangra (2nd place) California, CA
  • 2018 – Our Virsa (First Place) Vancouver, BC
  • 2018 – Bhangra in the 6ix (2nd place) Toronto, ON
  • 2019 – Bhangra Arena ( Judge) Delhi, India
  • 2019 – West Coast Bhangra – (First Place) California Davis, CA
  • 2019 – Big City Junior – ( 2nd place) Toronto, ON
  • 2019 – Canadian Dance Teachers 70th anniversary – (First place)  Regina, SK
  • 2019 Canadian Teachers 70 anniversary ( 2nd place) Regina, SK
  • 2019 – GHG Bhangra competition ( 3rd place) California, Fresno, CA  
  • 2019 – Legacy of Bhangra Competition (participation) California,
  • 2019 – Queenz City Bhangra competition ( 1st Place) Ohio
  • 2022 - Bhangra City Bhangra competion  (3rd place) Vancouver BC
  • 2023 - Dhamak Bhangra competion 3rd place) Calgary AB
  • 2023 - Bhangra City Bhangra competion  (3rd place) Vancouver BC
  • 2024- Bhangra City Live (1st Place) Vancouver BC
  • 2025 - Bhangra Revolution Live Bhangra (2nd Place) Vancouver BC
  • 2025 - Bhangra Revolution Giddha Music (2nd place) Vancouver BC
  • 2025 - Elite Bhangra Seniors (First Place) Abbostford BC
  • 2025 - Elite Giddha Seniors ( First place) Abbotsford BC
  • 2025 -Elite Bhangra super junior (2nd place) Abbotsford BC
  • 2025 - Red FM Summer Bhangra Jam (3rd palce) Surrey BC
  • 2025 - Flower city Live Bhangra (3rd place) Toronto ON
  • 2025 - Bhangra Maina Junior Music (1st Place) Surrey BC
  • 2025- Bhangra Mania Music Giddha Senior (First Place) Surrey BC
  • 2025 Bhangra Mania Sub Junior (3rd Place) Surrey BC
  • 2026 Bhangra Redemption (Junior Live First Place) Surrey BC
  • 2026 Bhangra Redemption (Senior Live 2nd Place) Surrey BC
  • 2026 Bhangra Redemption (Sub junior 3rd Place) Surrey BC

Cultural Engagement & Public Programming

Royal Academy of Punjab actively engages diverse communities through cultural performances, workshops, and public programming that make Punjabi folk arts accessible to broader audiences.

  • Surrey Fusion Fest 2010
  • International Children’s Festival 2011 Surrey, BC
  • Bhangra.me Exhibition 2011 at Museum of Vancouver Vancouver, BC
  • Canada Day – annually
  • Bhangra program at Newton Cultural Centre: Oct. 2011 – Dec. 31, 2012
  • International Children’s Festival 2012 , Surrey, BC
  • Celebrating the harvest with VIBC 2012, Surrey, BC
  • Bhangra House with VIBC 2012, Surrey
  • City of Bhangra with HSBC BANK 2012, Vancouver BC
  • Champlain Community Centre 2012, Vancouver, BC
  • Harrison Festival of Arts 2012, Harrison Hot Springs, BC
  • BC Summer Games Appreciation Closing party, 2012, Guildford
  • Blueberry Festival 2012, Langley, BC
  • Arnold Award VIBC 2012, Vancouver, BC
  • HSBC BANK Diversity Event 2012, Vancouver, BC
  • HSBC BANK Diwali Mela 2012, Vancouver, BC
  • Bhangra Workshop VIBC 2013, Downtown Bhangra
  • Bhangra Workshop Red Fm 2013, Canada Day, Surrey, BC
  • Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure 2013, Surrey, BC
  • Step to the Beat Cancer Foundation 2014, Surrey, BC
  • Surrey Association for community living 2015, Surrey, BC
  • Welcome Ceremony for the India PM Mr. Modi & Canada PM Mr. Harper 2015, Surrey, BC
  • Punjabi Folk Dance Workshop at Mulgrave School, 2015, West Vancouver, BC
  • City of Richmond Workshop in Schools 2016, Richmond, BC
  • Peace Arc Hospital Vaisakhi Celebration 2016, White Rock, BC
  • Princess Margret School Folk Instruments & Bhangra Workshop 2016, Surrey, BC
  • Frank Hurt Secondary School Bhangra Workshop 2016, Surrey, BC
  • Mulgrave School Bhangra Workshop 2016, West Vancouver, BC
  • South point Academy Bhangra Workshop and Performance 2017, Surrey Bc.
  • Mulgrave School Bhangra Workshop and performance 2017, West Vancouver, BC
  • Canucks Autism Bhangra Performance and Workshop 2018
  • Kaleidoscope Arts Festival Bhangra performance and Dance Workshop 2018, Coquitlam. BC
  • Mulgrave School Bhangra Workshop and Performance 2018, West Vancouver, BC
  • Namste Canada performance 2018, Burnaby, BC
  • WickFest Community Performance 2019, Guildford, BC
  • Small Stage Valentine Edition 2019, Vancouver BC
  • Mulgrave School Bhangra Workshop and Performance 2019, West Vancouver, BC
  • Cloverdale Traditional Vasakhi Event 2019, Cloverdale, BC
  • Childern Festival 2019, Surrey, BC
  • Fusion Festival 2019, Surrey, BC
  • Maple Ridge Country Fest 2019, Pitt Meadows, BC
  • Richmond World Festival 2019, Richmond, BC
  • Namaste Canada (Indian Consulate) 2019, New Westminster, BC
  • Phoenix Drug & Alcohol Recovery & Education Society 2019, Surrey, BC
  • International Farmers Conference 2019, Richmond, BC
  • Republic Day of India Celebration 2020, Richmond BC
  • Wicked Fest Community Performance 2020, Surrey BC
  • Mulgrave School Bhangra Workshop and Performance 2021, West Vancouver, BC.
  • Mulgrave School Bhangra Workshop and Performance 2022, West Vancouver, BC.
  • Mulgrave School Bhangra Workshop and Performance 2023, West Vancouver, BC.
  • Ecole Brantford Elementary School Bhangra workshop and performance, 2023 Burnaby, BC
  • Caulfield Elementary School Bhangra workshop and performance, 2023 West Vancouver, BC
  • Mulgrave School Bhangra Workshop and Performance 2024, West Vancouver, BC.
  • CBC TV show opening 2024 Surrey BC.
  • Vancouver Martime Musem Workshop 2024 Vancouver, BC
  • Translink Showcase Performance 2024 Vancouver, BC
  • Granville Block Party 2024 Vancouver, BC
  • UBC Neighbourhood Bhangra Workshop 2024 Vancouver, BC
  • Saanjh Festival Bhangra Performance 2024 Surrey, BC
  • Cauilfield Bhangra Workshop 2024 West Vancouver, BC
  • Scotia Bank Diwali Performance 2024 Surrey, BC
  • Mulgrave School Bhangra Workshop and Performance 2025, West Vancouver, BC.
  • Mulgrave School Bhangra Workshop and Performance 2025, West Vancouver, BC
  • Saanjh Festival Bhangra Performance 2025 Surrey, BC
  • Saanjh Festival Bhangra Performance 2025 Surrey, BC
  • Mulgrave School Bhangra Workshop and Performance 2026, West Vancouver, BC

Our Commitment

These achievements reflect decades of dedication to cultural preservation, arts education, and community engagement. As we look to the future, we invite partners, sponsors, donors, and community organizations to join us in expanding access to Punjabi folk arts, supporting emerging artists, and strengthening cultural connections across generations and communities.