for some of the common terms, perhaps we can reference popular songs? like Gabru Gulab Warga, Mutiyaar by Manni Sandhu, etc. etc.
Gabroo - a term for a young adult Punjabi male. Generally accepted to be in the prime of his life.(cf. Gabru Gulab Warga - Jaswinder Daghamia; the title means "rose-like young men")
Mutiyaar - the corresponding term for females. A young adult Punjabi woman. (cf. Mutiyaar feat. Malkit Bulla - Manni Sandhu
Josh - energy, pure and simple. The physical exuberance a dancer puts into his performance. Not to be confused with nakhra.
Nakhra - attitude. In a broader sense, nakhra refers to the individual "swag" put into each move, in the form of affectations, by each dancer. (we definitely should have a video here.)
Sardar (someone else more knowledgeable of Punjabi/Sikh culture can provide a definition for this.)
Jhummar - one of the many traditional dances that was amalgamated into the modern conception of bhangra in the 60s. (others include luddi, sammi, etc.) Jhummar is a slow, expressive dance that emphasizes grace and poise. (
here's a video)
Jodiyan/Jodi - pair. bhangra performances traditionally involve the dancers grouped into pairs, usually by vardi (outfit) color. one element of the performance involves these pairs interacting specifically with each other. (
here's a video)
Jatt (nope. not doing this one)
Vardi - [SIZE=78%]literally, uniform. the traditional outfit that a bhangra dancer wears for performances. plural vardiyan. [/SIZE][SIZE=78%]vardiyan have many specific components, each of which is different for men and women.[/SIZE]
Parts of a vardi:
- [SIZE=78%]Chadra - (n.) the bottom half of the garment; sort of resembles a cloth tied around the waist. plural chadre.[/SIZE]
- [SIZE=78%]Kurta - (n.) the top half of the garment; basically a very long shirt.[/SIZE]
- [SIZE=78%]Vest - (n.) worn above the kurta.[/SIZE]
- [SIZE=78%]Paghari - (n.) the male headwear. an ornate type of turban. often called pagh.[/SIZE]
- [SIZE=78%]Turla - (n.) the turla is the fan-like adornment that rises out of a paghari. A part of the paghari itself.[/SIZE]
- [SIZE=78%]Phuman - (n.) outfit apparel worn on arms (either around biceps, or above the elbows) and around the wrists. Resemble small balls of yarn.[/SIZE]
- [SIZE=78%]Salwar - (n.) the baggy, harem-style pants. (only worn by female dancers)[/SIZE][SIZE=78%].[/SIZE]
- [SIZE=78%]Parandia - (n.) the braid threaded into the dancer’s hair. [/SIZE](only worn by female dancers)
- [SIZE=78%]Chunni - (n.) the female head covering. a sash draped over the back of her hair. [/SIZE](only worn by female dancers)
- [SIZE=78%]Kaintha - (n.) a traditional heavy style necklace.[/SIZE]
Khunda/Daang - [SIZE=78%]khunda - (n.) the stick-like prop used by bhangra dancers. plural khunde. [/SIZE][SIZE=78%]alternatively known as a daang, these “sticks” are some of the most commonly used bhangra props, and sections in which they are used are crucial elements of most competitive bhangra performances.[/SIZE]
Saap - [SIZE=78%]saap - n. those criscrossy things that bhangra dancers “click” together, usually in time with the beat, during a routine. [/SIZE][SIZE=78%]also known as shikke and khenchiyan. s[/SIZE][SIZE=78%]ome sources claim that saaps were originally used to scare away crows from crops. others attribute the loud noise created from using the saap as an invocation of thunder clouds.[/SIZE]
Kato - a bhangra instrument or prop designed to mimic the movements of a squirrel. it looks like a capital T made out of wood, with a string coming off each of the arms of the T. each arm has a smaller wooden piece attached to it, and when the strings are pulled, the pieces move upward and clack against the top of the kato.
(here's some more words)
Chimta - [SIZE=78%]the chimta is a thin strip of metal that has been folded in the middle and has many small cymbals attached to either side of it. [/SIZE][SIZE=78%]the word “chimta” in Punjabi literally means “tongs.” this reflects the origin of the instrument in the tools used by Punjabi cooks in the kitchen. the chimta is either played by clapping it together, similar to a castanet, or holding by it in one hand and striking it with the side of the other. [/SIZE][SIZE=78%]often, in bhangra performances, chimte are twirled in time with the music to add flair and style to the routine. in any live bhangra performance, and even in many music performances, the chimta player is an essential part of the act.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=78%]Phumaniyan (maybe we should group all the dance steps into one article?)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=78%]i got nothing else.[/SIZE]