Author Topic: Jawani vs Bhangra (Read 1220 times)

Billoo0 · « **on:** November 03, 2009, 01:19:53 PM »

For a while I've been wanting to start a thread revolving around the topic of "jawani" and bhangra. As we listen to punjabi/bhangra songs, there are many connections made between the folk dance of punjab and punjabi youth. For the most part, we generally see young males and females perform on university/college/high school/private teams here in North America. [However there are those individuals like the Rooh Punjab Di guys who are older and have kids and whatnot? Correct me if I'm wrong]

To be more detailed in my inquiry, I want to hear the opinions of bhangra dancers here on BTF in regards to the following:
Does age play a major factor in bhangra? What is the influence and barriers set by age/ones jawani within the bhangra circuit?

As I went through a few threads I came to learn that some older dancers from teams like SGPD, VCU and whatnot stopped dancing and let the juniors take over.

My question is: When does one decide to retire and "hang up the vardi"? ; Until what age is it alright for someone to continue dancing bhangra on a team before settling down and moving forward with the next phase of life? (perhaps judging? lol)

I wanted to hear everyone's opinions and comments because I know of a few people (including myself) who would love to dance on a team sometime in the near future but are being held back due to age. A lot of people on teams usually grow up learning and dancing bhangra from a young age and perhaps someone who wants to start dancing after say the age of 20 just wouldn't work or be right

ps. My bad if any other previous threads have answered my inquiries!

Bhangra Teams' Forum · « **on:** November 03, 2009, 01:19:53 PM »

KingGeorge · « **Reply #1 on:** November 03, 2009, 01:30:14 PM »

Quote from: Billoo0 on November 03, 2009, 01:19:53 PM

For a while I've been wanting to start a thread revolving around the topic of "jawani" and bhangra. As we listen to punjabi/bhangra songs, there are many connections made between the folk dance of punjab and punjabi youth. For the most part, we generally see young males and females perform on university/college/high school/private teams here in North America. [However there are those individuals like the Rooh Punjab Di guys who are older and have kids and whatnot? Correct me if I'm wrong]

To be more detailed in my inquiry, I want to hear the opinions of bhangra dancers here on BTF in regards to the following:
Does age play a major factor in bhangra? What is the influence and barriers set by age/ones jawani within the bhangra circuit?

As I went through a few threads I came to learn that some older dancers from teams like SGPD, VCU and whatnot stopped dancing and let the juniors take over.

My question is: When does one decide to retire and "hang up the vardi"? ; Until what age is it alright for someone to continue dancing bhangra on a team before settling down and moving forward with the next phase of life? (perhaps judging? lol)

I wanted to hear everyone's opinions and comments because I know of a few people (including myself) who would love to dance on a team sometime in the near future but are being held back due to age. A lot of people on teams usually grow up learning and dancing bhangra from a young age and perhaps someone who wants to start dancing after say the age of 20 just wouldn't work or be right

ps. My bad if any other previous threads have answered my inquiries!

20?!! That's bhangra prime time!

Mike B · « **Reply #2 on:** November 03, 2009, 01:31:48 PM »

dance til you cant do it anymore man

Swi · « **Reply #3 on:** November 03, 2009, 01:38:37 PM »

yea, age ain't nothing but a number. We picked up a grad student (who had no bhangra experience) to dance with all undergrads and we all had a blast despite like 5 year age difference.

A lot of experienced dancers get tired of the grind and simply prefer teaching/coaching after a certain point. But until then, dance dance dance

rsingh90 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 03, 2009, 01:57:54 PM »

yeah i think 20 is prime bhangra age lol...you're at your physical peak when you're around 20 so you should dance as much as possible...i would say dancers should hang up vardiyaan whenever their body/health or maybe even daily schedule/commitments starts to take its toll on you

i've also noticed that a lot of well known teams have their older guys just stop dancing to make room for the younger guys who are trying to make the team and i don't really like seeing that happen..maybe the older guys feel that audience's have the need to see younger dancers just because they're more agile and move quicker on stage?

faizan · « **Reply #5 on:** November 03, 2009, 01:58:16 PM »

dance till you can't dance anymore.

justAguy · « **Reply #6 on:** November 03, 2009, 01:58:23 PM »

Quote from: Billoo0 on November 03, 2009, 01:19:53 PM

To be more detailed in my inquiry, I want to hear the opinions of bhangra dancers here on BTF in regards to the following:
Does age play a major factor in bhangra? What is the influence and barriers set by age/ones jawani within the bhangra circuit?

I think it does, younger kids are generally more riled up and excited and aggressive, all of which are qualities that play into the whole bhangra scene. Aside from that, older people are usually occupied, younger people have less responsibilities, and bhangra is very time consuming.

Kapil · « **Reply #7 on:** November 03, 2009, 02:21:09 PM »

Hang up the vardi? Never.

I'm going to be doing bhangra at my grandkids wedding

Avneeto · « **Reply #8 on:** November 03, 2009, 02:26:33 PM »

Quit bhangra cuz of my age.... NEVERRRRR
I hope I have the time to dance in grad school... and after.

KingGeorge · « **Reply #9 on:** November 03, 2009, 02:27:47 PM »

hang up your vardi WHEN YOU GET NEW ONES

Joda · « **Reply #10 on:** November 03, 2009, 03:52:18 PM »

i think u can still dance aslong as it doesnt get in the way of ur life cuz no one can really make dancing on a team into a carreer... so aslong as u can make time for it do wht makes u happi =]... but i think the limit can be put at wht.. 30??? cuz 29 doesnt sound as bad at a 30 yr old dancer...lol

Barua · « **Reply #11 on:** November 03, 2009, 04:20:28 PM »

Quote from: rsingh90 on November 03, 2009, 01:57:54 PM

i've also noticed that a lot of well known teams have their older guys just stop dancing to make room for the younger guys who are trying to make the team and i don't really like seeing that happen..maybe the older guys feel that audience's have the need to see younger dancers just because they're more agile and move quicker on stage?

False.

It's more like we older people just recognize that we've had our run, and that the younger dancers deserve the same opportunities that we had. For me, team morale & legacy is more important than current performance level. Nothing makes me happier than having well-trained rookies who can keep the team going down the line. What tends to happen on large teams is that the extra dancers who aren't good enough to start yet will sometimes lose interest and stop trying. So, in addition to keeping the starters motivated, the team leaders must also figure out how to keep the alternates motivated if they want them to stick around.

LONG LIVE BHANGRA!

Swi · « **Reply #12 on:** November 03, 2009, 04:24:54 PM »

Quote from: BRRUAH! on November 03, 2009, 04:20:28 PM

Nothing makes me happier than having well-trained rookies who can keep the team going down the line

Very True, your legacy as a leader is defined by your influence after you leave

Abhi · « **Reply #13 on:** November 03, 2009, 04:39:37 PM »

after you finish school you should stop dancing competitively and focus on your career.

dbawa · « **Reply #14 on:** November 03, 2009, 05:42:50 PM »

my older bhaji from india is on my team and were all like max 20 lol he still rocks out hard

Pooja · « **Reply #15 on:** November 03, 2009, 06:11:31 PM »

I think if you are on a collegiate team, you shouldn't be competitively dancing for that team once you graduate from the university (and it goes along with my opinion that if you are on a collegiate team you should be attending that school). If you're on an independent/club team then obviously you have more flexibility with how long you remain on the team.

On the overall though, I think you should dance as long as YOU want to dance. In general I think when you enter the grahasta ashram (married life) it's probably more appropriate for you to not continue dancing. By all means keep that love for bhangra, but you should have other goals at that point. I mean if you have the time, the passion, and the means, then why not right? Dance your heart out!

Allysha · « **Reply #16 on:** November 03, 2009, 09:27:00 PM »

Quote from: rsingh90 on November 03, 2009, 01:57:54 PM

dancers should hang up vardiyaan whenever their body/health or maybe even daily schedule/commitments starts to take its toll on you

agreed

campy614 · « **Reply #17 on:** November 04, 2009, 12:33:27 AM »

Dance until you can't dance anymore. As long as your other life/career goals are in check, why not? I've met dancers in canada who have wives and children. I've also met people of other nationalities in their 30s who are still competitive dancers (granted, different style of dancing-but otherwise I see no difference).

Also I agree with Arjun-but I'm not sure if it's "we recognize that we've had our run" or it's "at some point we get tired and want to take it easy." We want to stop focusing on performing, and ACTUALLY ENJOY going to and watching shows. (Note to self: Retire soon). Many of us decide to stop dancing and help... I don't know if I'll be that nice.

COMTONDAJATT · « **Reply #18 on:** November 04, 2009, 02:19:58 AM »

I know a dude who is 32 and is like a free agent on the Folk festival dancing circuit in India, pretty much when one team needs an extra dancer they hire him for a few weeks to learn a routine and dance for their school. He makes bank off of it.

jeevan · « **Reply #19 on:** November 04, 2009, 07:42:27 AM »

bhangra is just a collegiate phase...once the responsibilities kick in, people will be done...age 22-24 max

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Author Topic: Jawani vs Bhangra (Read 1220 times)

Bhangra Teams' Forum