Bhangra

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Bhangra

Bhangra (, , ) is both a lively dance which is from the region of Punjab, now divided between North India and Pakistan, and the musical accompaniment to the dance. A variety of popular music, also called bhangra, has developed from these traditions and has a keen youth following around the world.

Overview

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. They relate to harvest celebration, love, patriotism or current social issues.

Today the word bhangra is more associated with the style of dance pop music derived from the above mentioned musical accompaniment. The dhol's smaller cousin, the dholaki, is sometimes used instead of or in addition to the dhol. Additional percussion, including tabla, is frequently used in bhangra.

Bhangra has always been popular amongst Punjabi people all over the world, but it has enjoyed a resurgence over the last ten years or so. Its raw traditional sound is often supplemented with contemporary musical styles. In its more recent history, bhangra has been fused with disco, reggae, techno, house, rap, ragga and now jungle. In fact, these new styles have been so successful that modern bhangra is now being re-exported back to India. Most of this tends to come from the UK Desi scene, a subculture found amongst the South Asian diaspora.

Both collegiate and non-collegiate bhangra competitions are held throughout the world, especially in Punjab, the United States, Canada, and the UK. Some of the largest competitions in North America include:

Notable Bhangra artists

(alphabetical by first name or stage name)

Producers

External links

Bhangra | Dances of India | Asian dances | Punjab

Bhangra | Bhangra | Bhangra

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Overview

Notable Bhangra artists

Producers

External links