Exploring the cultural origin of Bhangra

Aug 30, 2024

2 min read

Bhangra is a dance commonly seen in the Punjabi culture. But have you ever wondered when Bhangra started? How did it come to be what it is now?

Well Bhangra started when Punjabi farmers started to use the movement of farming activities to resort to creating a dance form in which they celebrated food growing, harvesting, or their connection to the land (Pandher, n.d.).

Dance in the modern day world represents a sense of community, gathering and tradition. It is performed in celebrations, weddings, gatherings and more! However it’s origins go way back to the earliest human civilizations. Such ideas go back to traditional, ceremonial and ethnic dances of ancient times. Then it was a way to create a sense of gathering in the community and a sense of certainty in the air. It served to celebrate important festivals, or occasions, this includes – seasonal occasions, harvest, birth and weddings.

Bhangra was originally the dance of Punjabi farmers. During the Vaisakhi season or on Khalsa day people danced Bhangra as a sign of celebration, following the harvest of their crops. As this dance was mainly performed by farmers while doing their agricultural chores, many of their certain moves originate from actual farming movement activities. For example, when farmers needed to pick something and move it to another spot for farming purposes, they developed a fun way to do so. This specific bhangra move is now seen casually as a dance move, whether its weddings, festivals, or any event of celebration!

After all the hard work - harvesting their crops, farmers resorted to Bhangra to celebrate their feelings of achievement. For hundreds of years, the dance was resorted to when farmers wanted to show their strength and joy.

As time passed, men were not the only ones to participate in Bhangra, but women now dance it as well. Fortunately, it is now present in the modern day world and is danced as a sign of celebration or even as a form of physical activity. Many even resort to it when looking for an alternative for the gym to stay fit, in a fun way. It is practiced among all ages, both men and women, across all different dancer levels (beginner, advanced.) While it may be practiced more often in a more modern-day setting, its traditional roots remain.

Bhangra went from being danced in small cities in village areas to bigger more modern cities and is now even seen in Bollywood! (Pandher, n.d.). It symbolizes a sense of joy, tradition and community!

Join Dhamak Punjab Di Bhangra Academy for some Bhangra classes, right here in Calgary! All skill levels are welcome!