Banghra

Banghra

1. By Oryane Yungu

2. Bhangra is : a type of popular music combining Punjabi folk traditions with Western pop music

3. The traditonal Bhangra dance is performed in a circle incorporating traditional Bhangra dance steps.

4. Traditional Bhangra is especially practiced in the month leading up to the festival of Vaisakhi; it is a seasonal dance.

5. The first significant developers of the free form traditional Bhangra style were a dance troupe led by brothers from the Deepak family of Sunam and the dhol player Bhana Ram Sunami.

   • Bhangra competitions have been held in Punjab, India for many decades, with Mohindra College in Patiala being involved in the 1950s. They are especially associated with college youth festivals.
   • Free form traditional Bhangra was performed on the national stage for the first time in 1954 on the Republic Day celebrations.
   • The Bhangra dress code is know to have specific different parts to it
     • Pag: a turban, a sign of pride/honor in Punjab. This turban has to be tied before each show.
     • Tehmat (or Chadar,): a loose loincloth tied around the dancer's waist. This is usually very decorated
     • Chagi: a waistcoat with no buttons
     • Rumāl,: small "scarves" worn on the fingers. They give a very elegant look and are effective when the hands move during the bhangra performance.
     • Kurta: similar to a silk shirt, with about four buttons on the front. It is very loose with various embroidered patterns

6. According to I.S. Dhillon, Bhangra is connected to the Punjabi dance 'bagaa' which is a martial dance of Punjab.

7. During the festival of Vaisakhi the wheat is harvested. Local fairs mark the festival of Vaisakhi. After days of harvesting and at Vaisakhi fairs, Bhangra is performed, as a dance of men alone.