Punjabi Bhangra

Bhangra is a lively form of music and dance that originated in the Punjab region in Southeast Asia. As many Bhangra lyrics reflect the long and often tumultuous history of the Punjab, knowledge of Punjabi history offers important insights into the meaning of the music. It is originally associated with the spring festival of Baisakhi, when farmers gather to celebrate the fruits of their labour. When farmers brought home the grain after months of hard work, to celebrate it Bhangra was performed. It is truly becoming more popular worldwide and people of non-Punjabi background are listening to and performing Bhangra. Universities and other organizations are holding annual Bhangra dance competitions in many of the main cities of the United States, Canada, and England.

It is a traditional folk dance of celebration, joy and thanksgiving. It is traditionally associated with the harvest in Punjab, the northern state of India and Pakistan. It is a lively form of folk music and dance. While performing Bhangra, people sing Boliyaan (lyrics or couplets) in the Punjabi language. It is the traditional dance of the Punjabi territory divided between India and Pakistan and shared some of its origins with similar dances in Afghanistan and even Iran. 

It is a form of folk dance. Punjabi folk dances are very spirited and full of energy just the way Punjabi people are. It is joyful, the most energetic of the traditional Indian dances. The rhythmic beats of a drum called a dhol accompany a dance with expansive movements. It is slowly, but surely becoming an epidemic of popular dance and without the inclusion of it, there is no party!!!

It is the men's dance and Giddha is the women's dance. Bhangra and Giddha are the most popular folk-dances of the Punjab. Bhangra is about community building. As people found out, you are forced to the dance floor by your friends or one of your Indian friends you have not yet met, and asked to start burning some calories.

It is a traditional Punjabi folk music lively, joyful, and infectious. It is slowly, but surely becoming an epidemic of popular dance and without the inclusion of it, there is no party!!! It is a fusion of music, singing and, most significantly, the beat of the dhol drum, a single stringed instrument called the iktar, the tumbi and an instrument reminiscent of an enlarged pair of tongs called chimta. The accompanying songs are small couplets written in the Punjabi language called bolis.

Bhangra is an answer to the capitalist mainstream. It is now an established part of Bollywood's scene, in addition to resonating worldwide. It is considered as very expressive form of music though it uses small number of notes. Bhangra songs have a lyrical nature which makes it very melodious.

It is often used to describe many different and distinct folk dances - bhangra, giddha, jhummer, etc. Bhangra is typically performed by men and is centered on the dhol. Bhangra is a fusion of music, singing and the beat of the dhol drum, a single stringed instrument called the iktar (ektara ), the tumbi and an instrument reminiscent of an enlarged pair of tongs called chimta . The accompanying songs are small couplets written in the Punjabi language called bolis. It is said to combine cool moves with great music. Many students say the workout also gives them the opportunity to learn a little about Indian culture.

Dancers also form a circle while performing Dhamal. They also hold their arms high, shake their shoulders and heads, and yell and scream. Dancers often form a circle with pairs of dancers periodically taking centre stage to give solo performances that showcase their prowess, virility and acrobatic ability. Getting into the festive mood, dancers often punctuate each beat with an exuberant shout and may even be moved to recite witty couplets. The accompanying songs are small couplets written in the Punjabi language called bolis. Dancers often form a circle with pairs of dancers periodically taking centre stage to give solo performances that showcase their prowess, virility and acrobatic ability. Getting into the festive mood, dancers often punctuate each beat with an exuberant shout and may even be moved to recite witty couplets.

Dancers often form a circle with pairs of dancers periodically taking centre stage to give solo performances that showcase their best learned skills. The gidha which is the female version of bhangra is performed by the ladies. Dancers also form a circle while performing Dhamal. They also hold their arms high, shake their shoulders and heads, and yell and scream.

Dances are a form of lucid expression of human beings. Like the Indian culture, Indian classical dances are equally diverse in nature.

Freestyle is a fusion of traditional bhangra dancing and modern western dance and music. The dance resulted from the fact that the members of many western Bhangra groups have been brought up in the west, and thus were influenced not only by their cultural roots, but also by western culture. Freestyle is performed to a combination of backing tracks and live percussion. This is a very popular type of dance, and is very specialist.

Traditional rural steps meet contemporary urban moves as men take turns clearing the floor to perform intricate combinations. One guy wraps his legs around another man's torso and they spin faster and faster. Traditionally performed to celebrate the harvest, bhangra reflected the enthusiasm and appreciation shared among rural folk as they witness their hard labor bear fruit. Bhangra season concludes with Baisakhi, a festival that marks the arrival of the harvesting season.

Gurmit is an author, speaker and mortgage expert. This article is written by Gurmit Singh for inspire and encourage his nephew Simar Toor, a vivid and prolific bhangra dancer for the his new Bhangra website. To read more articles by Gurmit Singh please visit www.hubpages.com/profile/gurmitsingh.