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Punjab Bazaar
Main entrance of Punjab Bazaar. Photo by D. Dhaliwal, 2017.

[Encore] Free to be Punjabi

October 31st marks the beginning of Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights. It’s the most important holiday in India. In celebration, we are re-releasing this episode from Season 1.

The allure of abundant work and fertile soil drew many to California, and in particular, the rich rural areas of the state. Punjabi workers came in small numbers to Yuba City in the early 1900s,  but after Indian independence in 1947 when Punjab was split in two, that trickle became a steady stream. Now this rural area known for its peach orchards is the heart of a vibrant South Asian Punjabi community, rich with traditions and culture.

In this episode, hear from alumna Deepeaka Dhaliwal about her family ties to the area and some of the sites she explored in her research for her thesis  Yuba-Sutter: A Case Study for Heritage Conservation in Punjabi-American Communities.

Learn more about USC’s Heritage Conservation Program

 

 

Illustration reading "Winner, 2022 Los Angeles Conservancy Preservation Award"

Illustration reading, "California Preservation Foundation 2022 Preservation Design Award"

Illustration reading, "AASLH 2022 Leadership in History Awards"