Bhangra

Overview

Traditional bhangra originated in the Punjab region of North India, hundreds of years ago, and was a group dance used to celebrate harvests and other occasions such as weddings.

In the UK in the 1980s, traditional bhangra was influenced by popular and electronic music to create modern bhangra, which gained a much younger, urban following.

Date and place of origin

1980s, uk (modern bhangra) 

Famous performers

  • Alaap
  • Panjabi MC 

Dance Steps

Traditional Bhangra is usually danced in groups, often in a circle. Dance moves originally copied farmers’ actions when working in the fields. Energetic steps and acrobatic stunts are popular, particularly for all-male dances. Modern Bhangra is usually danced in nightclubs, with an individual, improvised style of dancing.

Key Features

  • 4/4 time signature.
  • Each crotchet beat is divided into three (i.e. triplet quavers).
  • Chaal rhythm pattern.
  • Dhol drum (NOT the tabla!). 
  • Fast tempo. 
  • Vocal melodies have a small range and quite often fall at the end of a phrase.
  • Ornamentation in melodies is common.
  • Use of microtonal intervals.
  • Punjabi lyrics.
  • Shouts of hoi! 
  • Verse-chorus structure.
  • Makes use of Indian instruments such as the sitar, sarangi, dhol.
  • Fused with pop music – pop instruments, effects, music technology, sampling, drum machine, synthesizers.


Test Yourself

  • In which part of India did traditional bhangra originate?
  • What is the name of the repeated rhythm often found in bhangra?
  • In which country were traditional bhangra and popular music combined to make modern bhangra?
  • Name two traditional Indian instruments likely to be found in bhangra.

Mundian To Bach Ke by Panjabi MC 

Listen out for:

  • Chaal rhythm.
  • Narrow range of the melody which uses ornamentation and microtones.
  • Punjabi lyrics.
  • 4/4 time signature.
  • Each beat divided into quaver triplets.
  • The combination of traditional and contemporary influences. The bass line is sampled from the TV show Knight Rider, and towards the end of the song the DJ technique of scratching is used.