Bhangra is a traditional folk dance of the Indian Subcontinent in the areas of Punjab and Pakistan. Bhangra was performed mostly by the farmers during the Harvesting Season like many other regional dance forms. The farmers dance while doing their agricultural chores making it a pleasurable activity.
During the Vaisakhi or Baisakhi season, after the harvesting of wheat crops, people attend to various cultural festivals. Bhangra dance will be one of the main performance items during the celebrations.
Traditional Bhangra Form
It is believed that the traditional form of the Bhangra dance was maintained in the Gurdaspur district in India. After the partition of India, people were divided between India and Pakistan and hence Bhangra is performed in both countries.
The Bhangra dance form today is performed by both men and women and it is not just limited to the Harvest season.
Dancers perform to the tune of songs called Boliyan accompanied by the Dhol beats. Dhol is a double-headed drum which is played with heavy beater on one end and a light stick on the other. Bhangra is an energetic and colourful Punjabi dance form. Bhangra is performed during Punjabi weddings as well.