There is a specific kind of hum that fills a room just before a celebration begins, a mix of nervous energy, the rustle of traditional silk, and the low murmur of community members finding their seats. On Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium in Abbotsford, that hum felt like an echo from the past. Nearly 200 community members, scholars, students, and families gathered for “Trinjan Mela: International Women’s Day Celebration 2026”, an afternoon of poetry, music, storytelling, and dance presented by the South Asian Studies Institute (SASI) in partnership with the City of Abbotsford, Abby Bhaina Events & Exhibitions, and CIVL Radio.
The word Trinjan refers to traditional gatherings of Punjabi women who would come together to spin yarn, sing folk songs and share stories. These gatherings were spaces where women exchanged wisdom, humor, and reflection, often expressing themselves through song and poetry in ways not always available elsewhere. Mela, meaning festival, captures the spirit of collective celebration. Together, “Trinjan Mela” revived this tradition in a contemporary setting, creating space for women’s voices and cultural heritage to be shared with a wider
community.
The afternoon began with welcome remarks from community leaders and partners who helped bring the event to life. Dr. Garry Fehr, Associate Vice President of Research, Engagement, and Graduate Studies at the University of the Fraser Valley and Acting Director of SASI, reflected on a two-year South Asian Canadian Digital Archive (SACDA) initiative titled the South Asian Folk Heritage Project, led by Dr. Asma Qadri (Research Associate). Through events like Trinjan Mela, the project seeks to preserve and celebrate the rich folk traditions of South Asia through lectures, cultural events, archival recordings, and scholarly engagement. Greetings were also shared by Dr. James Mandigo, President and Vice-Chancellor of UFV; Deputy Mayor Patricia Driessen on behalf of the City of Abbotsford; Abbotsford School District Trustee Arsh Kaler; and Manmohanjit Kaur from Abby Bhaina Events & Exhibitions.
The program was guided by hosts Dr. Asma Qadri and Dr. Satwinder Bains, who moved with fluidity between Punjabi and English throughout the afternoon. Dr. Qadri spoke about the historical role of folklore as a creative outlet for women, particularly during times when formal artistic spaces were limited. Traditions like Trinjan gatherings, she noted, allowed women to share emotion, humor, critique, and imagination through storytelling and song. With Dr. Bains translating and reflecting on these ideas in English, the hosts created a bilingual conversation that connected audiences across generations and cultures.
Poetry and storytelling
Throughout the afternoon, several performances highlighted the power of the spoken word, reminding the audience that storytelling has long been one of the most enduring forms of women’s expression.
Although beloved poet Devinder Kaur Johal was unable to attend in person, the program included a video presentation of her poem “Gidhe Vich Nachdi Da.” The piece, reflecting on the tenderness and playfulness of young love, carried a gentle nostalgia that resonated throughout the auditorium.
Dr. Asma Qadri presented a dramatic reading of “Maa Da Tota” (Mother’s Parrot), written by renowned Pakistani playwright Najm Hosain Syed. Accompanied by young performer Uday Singh, who interacted with a birdcage as a visual metaphor, the piece explored the emotional and social constraints often placed on women within patriarchal structures. Through the image of the parrot, the performance reflected on the ways mothers frequently silence their own desires while caring for others, leaving the audience visibly moved by its intensity.
Motivational speaker Swinder Singh brought another dimension to storytelling with her talk titled “Shifting from Victim to Victorious.” Speaking about resilience and self-belief, she reminded the audience that a person’s worth cannot be defined by society’s expectations around gender or marital status. Her message encouraged listeners to choose strength over fear and to recognize the value of their own voices.
Music across generations
Music surfaced at different moments throughout the program, bridging traditional folk repertoire with contemporary expression.
Avleen Chhabra performed a selection of contemporary folk songs, her voice carrying themes of love, independence, and women’s empowerment. Her performance reflected the ways women’s stories continue to evolve across generations while remaining rooted in cultural memory.
Later in the program, vocalist Harinder Saini, accompanied by Darshan Sharma on the dholki, brought beloved Punjabi folk songs to the stage, including Kehende Ne Naina, Latthe Di Chaadar, and Ambarsare De Paparr. The melodies stirred a sense of shared recognition in the audience, with many singing along as familiar lyrics filled the room.
Dance and cultural expression
Dance added a vibrant visual dimension to the afternoon’s celebrations.
Gurbaksh Kaur delivered an energetic solo bhangra performance that filled the stage with rhythm and confidence, transforming the auditorium into a space of joyful movement.
The Mission Punj-Aab Culture Club led by teacher Tarunpreet Kaur Pandher, followed with a lively group Bhangra performance dressed in traditional kurti-salwar attire. The group, Ishmann Kaur Pandher, Shubreet Kaur Sidhu, Savreen Kaur Kular, Rehat Kaur Rehal, Ashlin Reehn, and Joban Kaur Bhangu, celebrated Punjabi dance traditions while demonstrating how these cultural forms continue to thrive within diaspora communities.
A collective celebration
The final performance transformed the atmosphere of the auditorium into something closer to the spirit of Trinjan itself.
Namrata Chandi and her group, Jaswinder, Sukhminder, Rajwinder, Sarbjit, Nirmal, Raji and Sukhpreet began with traditional folk singing before transitioning into boliyan, playful call-and-response verses often heard during Punjabi wedding celebrations. Soon, the boundary between performers and audience dissolved as guests were invited to join them on stage. What followed was a spontaneous moment of collective joy, as audience members clapped, sang, and joined in giddha together. For a brief moment, the auditorium became exactly what the name Trinjan Mela suggests: a gathering where voices, laughter, and movement circulate freely among community.
Following the performances, guests were invited to enjoy chai (tea), pakoras, and sweets in the lobby, a continuation of the Trinjan tradition of food sharing and communal gathering. Conversations continued long after the official program ended, people lingering to reflect on what they had witnessed and to share their own stories.
A shared commitment to heritage
Trinjan Mela was made possible through the collaboration of many partners and supporters. SASI extends its sincere gratitude to the City of Abbotsford, Abby Bhaina Events & Exhibitions, and Executive Director, Aaron Levy from CIVL Radio for their partnership in bringing this event to life. Ryan Campbell, MCA Technical Director, ensured seamless audio-visual coordination throughout the afternoon, from rehearsals through the final performance. The event was coordinated by SASI staff Raaynaa Madaan, Thamilini Jothilingam, and Annet Holierhoek, with support from a dedicated team of student research assistants who ensured the afternoon ran smoothly. Most importantly, the celebration would not have been possible without the performers who shared their artistry, the dignitaries and community leaders who joined the event, and the community members who filled the auditorium in support of women’s voices and cultural heritage.
Photography was provided by Dale Klippenstein, courtesy of the City of Abbotsford.
SASI Research Assistant Students behind the success of the event:
- Sadhikpreet Singh
- Devanshi Sharma
- Amarnoor Kaur
- Alia Hijaab Ebayed,
- Amrit Sahota
- Arnav Mehta
- Attya Shahid
- Ayushmaan Ganguly
- Camryn Page
- Darien Unger
- Harshit Kumar
- Kiara Dabreo
- Iori Khuhro
- Leann Preiss
- Makenna Brar
- Samarah Siddique
Click here to view photos from the event.