Desi Radio & The Panjabi Centre: Tee-An 2006

Tee-An: the dancers set off from the Panjabi Centre to process through Southall Tee-An is an annual Panjabi women's festival. In 2006, for the eighth year, the Panjabi Centre celebrated Tee-An at the Dominion Centre, The Green, Southall. For more pictures of Tee-An celebrations, please visit the Desi Radio website.

On four Saturdays during July and August, Panjabi women came from all over London to dance and celebrate.

On the final Saturday, the 12th August 2006, the Mayor of Ealing, Councillor Mrs Diana Pagan, also attended. She watched the dancing and made a presentation to Mrs G. K. Bedi for services to Panjabi language and culture, for producing a monthly magazine for women in Southall.
Tee-An: the procession stop to dance outside the Dominion Centre

Presentation: Mayor of Ealing, Cllr Mrs Diana Pagan, with Amarjit Khera and Mrs G K Bedi (right).

Tee-An
In the month of Sawan, on the village outskirts, girls gather to put swings on trees and dance GIDDHA and KIKLI to their hearts' fill. This is also the month when married women go back to visit their families.

Tee-An: women dancing at the Dominion Centre in Southall Song of Tee-An:
"Dhan bhag mera", peepal akhe;
"Kurian ne pingan paaian."
Sawan vich kurian ne
Pinghan asman Charhian

"How blessed am I", says peepal
"that the girls have hung rope-swings on me."
In the month of Sawan
Girls have swung their swings sky-high.

Photos: Cathy Aitchison