This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Freakofnurture (talk | contribs) at 08:55, 6 June 2006 (Reverted edits by 212.135.1.185 (talk) to last version by 192.18.1.9). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 08:55, 6 June 2006 by Freakofnurture (talk | contribs) (Reverted edits by 212.135.1.185 (talk) to last version by 192.18.1.9)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Bhangra (Template:Lang-pa, بھنگڑا, bhaṅgṛā) 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.
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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 the Punjab (India), United States, Canada, and the UK. Some competitions in the United States include:
- Bhangra Blowout in Washington, D.C.
- Bruin Bhangra in Long Beach, California
- Bhangra Fusion in Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Dhol Di Awaz in the San Francisco Bay Area
- South Beach Bhangra in Miami
Notable Bhangra artists
(alphabetical by first name or stage name)
- Abrar-ul-Haq
- Amar Singh Chamkila
- Ashok Masti
- B21
- Babbu Mann
- Balkar Sidhu
- Baba Sehgal
- Daler Mehndi
- Dr. Zeus
- Gurdas Maan
- Harbhajan Mann
- Jasbir Jassi
- Jaspinder Narula
- Jazzy B
- Kamal Heer
- Kuldip Manak
- Kulwinder Dhillon
- Lehmber Hussainpuri
- Malkit Singh
- Manmohan Waris
- Preet Brar
- Panjabi MC
- RDB
- Sardool Sikander
- Sukhshinder Shinda
- Surjit Bindrakhia
- Surinder Shinda
Producers
- Baljit Singh
- Bally Sagoo
- BBC Soundcrew
- DJ Stormz
- Panjabi MC
- Rishi Rich
- Sukhshinder Shinda
- Jeet Bhogal
External links
- Pictures and more information
- Video Footage of Bhangra Competitions in North America
- Nachdey Hasdey - A Bhangra Group based in the UK