Punjabi dancing competition 'empowering women'
BBCA Punjabi folk dancing competition is empowering young women from south Asian communities, the organisers have said.
The annual giddha event in Telford on Sunday was the fourth to be held in the town and judge Sukhi Bart, from Birmingham, said it was getting "bigger and bigger" every year.
Another judge, Jyoti Desi Divas, explained: "Giddha is all about expressing your internal feelings through music."
She said when she was younger, women in her community were not expected to leave the house and the dancing had helped them break traditional stereotypes.
Mohni Basri from Solihull, who was hosting the competition at Telford's Mercure Hotel, said it attracted teams from all over the UK.
She said it was good to see the younger generation take an interest and that if the traditions were not kept alive "our youngsters are going to forget about it".
Mr Bart said although it was a traditional Punjabi event, it was open to everyone.
"You don't have to be Punjabi to enjoy the food, to enjoy the culture, it's a vibrant, vibrant day," he said.
The hotel was decorated in bright colours for the contest and he said: "We're a colourful society, we're a colourful culture, doesn't matter where you are, wherever the Punjabis are, colour is represented."
Jyoti Desi Divas, who is also from Birmingham, said the competition was judged on a number of criteria the costumes, the jewellery, the synchronisation of the dancers and the energy they displayed.
Mohni Basri said she admired the effort the teams were putting in and added: "You feel like you've got to get up and dance with them."
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