Local South Asian artist thrilled with Canucks Vaisakhi collaboration
Posted April 25, 2021 5:30 pm.
Last Updated April 25, 2021 7:12 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — A local South Asian artist says working with the Canucks to design a logo for their Vaisakhi celebration game gave her a chance to celebrate her culture, and share it with hockey fans across the country.
A life-long hockey fan herself, Jag Nagra says working on the design with the team was a “dream collaboration.”
https://twitter.com/jagnagra_/status/1386159668842532866
Noting there are still not very many players who are Black, Indigenous, or people of colour, she says it’s important to find other ways to represent and connect with the sport’s diverse fan base.
“It means so much. There’s not a ton of BIPOC players in the NHL. I know, growing up, the odd time there would be a South Asian player, it would just be incredible,” she says.
“To see the Canucks representing Vaisakhi and the South Asian community on this kind of scale is just incredible. It’s something I wish I had seen when I was younger because I think I would have felt more pride about being Indian. I think it’s so important for the younger generation to be seeing our culture represented by the Canucks. It’s incredible and I think it gives folks a sense of pride, and it brings community together.”
Nagra’s design was projected onto the ice, featured on the TV broadcast, and used on social media every time vanocuver scored a goal — which they did four times in their victory over the Ottawa Senators.
SCORES!!!! MILLER!!!! 4-2 #CANUCKS!!!! pic.twitter.com/GpzYUG6e0l
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) April 25, 2021
Nagra says growing up in Maple Ridge, the only other South Asian people she knew were members of her family.
“I go by Jag, which is not the name my parents gave me, I sort of had to change it so that it was easier for non-South Asians, to be able to pronounce my name right. The older I’m getting the more I’m realizing I’m sort of doing a disservice to myself, to my parents, and to my roots,” she says.
“Seeing the logo in the stands around the rink — it was so cool to see South Asian culture celebrated, it’s not always celebrated. Being different can be really hard for kids like me growing up.”
“To see the #Canucks representing #Vaisahki and the South Asian community on this kind of scale is just incredible. It’s something I wish I had seen when I was younger because I think I would have felt more pride about Indian,” Nagra says.
— John Ackermann (@jackermann) April 25, 2021
T-shirts and hoodies with Nagra’s design are being sold online.
“The ‘C’ uses typography styling reminiscent of iconic truck graphics across India, and the accenting golden yellow colours pay homage to wheat fields in India: imagery that is often associated with Vaisakhi, the Harvest Festival,” the description on the site reads.
A portion of the proceeds going to the Punjabi Market Regeneration Collective. The non-profit is working to revitalize the 51-year-old market “by beautifying the market, developing and promoting businesses, and creating a hub for arts and culture.”
Saturday’s game started with an introduction by Jazzy B who explained why Vaisakhi is celebrated, and urged ongoing support of the farmers’ protests in India.
Our special guest @jazzyb welcomes everyone to our Vaisakhi night game @RogersArena pic.twitter.com/MrWDBjimJw
— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) April 25, 2021
Some of the hosts of Hockey Night in Canada Punjabi posted pictures of themselves proudly wearing Nagra’s design.
The @Canucks are celebrating #Vaisakhi at Rogers Arena tonight!
Check out the special edition Vaisakhi hoodie. Proceeds from the purchase go to a part of the city that is important to me & many others, the @punjabimarket!
Watch @HkyNightPunjabi for this game tonight! pic.twitter.com/mWxzT1z36P
— Randip Janda (@RandipJanda) April 24, 2021
The @Canucks celebrate #Vaisakhi tonight at Rogers Arena!@jagnagra_ coming through with the beautiful artwork Check out https://t.co/2aMCbH1v45 for more Vaisakhi apparel
Partial proceeds from your purchase support the @punjabimarket regeneration collective! pic.twitter.com/DFDgGSpJ2d
— Amrit Gill (@AmritG) April 25, 2021
Nagra says she looks forward to seeing how the team will celebrate diverse cultures going forward.
“Hopefully there will be more South Asian event, and other cultural events. That would be incredible.”
