9 teams from across the world to participate in “Raniyaan Di Raunaq”, which is first of its kind the US.
An all-women Bhangra competition will be held in the Washington, DC, on August 10, featuring nine talented teams across the world.
The competition, termed “Raniyaan Di Raunaq,†is being hosted by Asha for Women, in collaboration with DC Bhangra Crew, at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts Center. Doors will be open at 6:30 pm and the show will start at 7 pm, said the organizers in a press release. Tickets are priced at $15 each and more information is available on the event website www.RaniyaanDiRaunaq.com.
According to the DC Bhangra Crew, the event will be the first all women’s Bhangra competition in the United States. All profits from the show will benefit Asha for Women’s mission.
D.C. Bhangra Crew, an all-female Bhangra team in the Washington, D.C., area Metropolitan area, performs at local and national events. Its members are first and second-generation South Asian Americans and individuals.
The group said Raniyaan di Raunaq is “created and organized by and for women and underrepresented members of the bhangra community.”
“Raunaq aims to recognize and elevate our dancers’ work as leaders, creators, artists, and competitors — to embrace the grit, vigor, power, and grace that goes into dancing in a male-dominated space,” it said. “With a dancer-first approach, attention paid toward a less wasteful and more sustainable competition weekend, and proceeds benefitting ASHA For Women, Raunaq is a competition whose impact goes beyond the stage.”
Asha for Women, a nonprofit, is wholly aided by grants and donations from public organizations, philanthropic groups and individuals. From time to time, it hosts fundraisers to augment its resources.
Established in 1989, Asha for Women has been helping South Asian women overcome domestic violence. Now it is also guiding South Asian seniors and their caregivers in the DC Metro area to overcome any problems.
“We speak the language, understand the culture, and are committed to seeing all groups live in peace and dignity,” says the non-profit on its website, providing a Helpline for all those who are affected.
Currently, Asha is serving women and children living in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, with origins in the South Asian countries of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal , Pakistan and Sri Lanka, irrespective of their faith, age or any relationship status, such as single, married, or divorced or their immigration status.
For those affected, Asha offers guidance in navigating the government and community services and resources available to victims of domestic violence, pairing the victim with an advocate and help them make their own decisions in a sympathetic and nonjudgmental manner.
Asha means “hope†in many South Asian languages and the organization said it extends this hope by empowerment of women to become emotionally strong, learn life skills for greater social competency and pursue education or training to become self-reliant.