Indian Bhangra

The Bhangra is one of the oldest folk dances in the world. It comes from the Punjab in India, and was sung and danced at the end of the harvest season by farmers to celebrate and give thanks for the harvest.

Some key features

Dhol

• Dance rhythms were played on a dhol, a double barrelled drum banged with two sticks.
• It was introduced into British popular music in the 1970s, using western instruments such as electric guitars, bass and keyboards.
• In modern western bhangra the looping beat of the dhol has been replaced by a drum machine.