Bhangra Workshop- Ideas

[Navi Sandhu]

Hey guys,

My name is Navi and I go to Fordham Univ. Our South Asian club was thinking of having some very basic Bhangra "workshops" for the students- more of a Bhangra workout.

Can you guys give throw out some ideas if you have any experience running a workshop like this? How can this be more of a workout session as opposed to learning a routine? What kind of music can we use- any instrumentals, etc? We're trying to attract all types of students- people who have no bhangra experience, brown, white, etc.

Thanks alot!

 

[kinnell]

I ran a Bhangra workshop in my school earlier this year and will continue to do so periodically during the year.

A routine is actually good because it associates steps with music. It doesn't have to be a top-notch bhangra competition routine, but simple steps are great. But, I think you may be missing the point (Correct me if I am wrong) or I am misinterpreting your intentions. A workshop is meant to "teach bhangra as a form of art". Yes, you get a work-out from it, but the primary objective is to be taught bhangra and not burn calories in the best way possible.

For basic workshops, I've done the following. I have indeed got non-brown people to come and learn and enjoy it.

1) Give an introduction to Bhangra. Where is started. What the word Bhangra mean. Who does it now. Folk dances of Punjab...etc Sometimes a bit boring, but I start all my workshops and tryouts in this manner because it is important.

2) Logistics of Bhangra. Most things in Bhangra are 4 beat based. What foot steps usually begin with. How important Expressions are. Anything that will help them become better dancers. Don't overburden with too much information though.

3) Basic Steps. Basic Feet Steps. Basic Hands. Have them do it a few times and point out mistakes here and there.

4) Teach them the routine. Easy routine but associates with bhangra, the music.

If you want a workout session, I cannot help you much. Perhaps, Sarina Jain can help you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3m6lEAzkkIY

 

[Waleed]

Navi, great to see you on BTF!

It would be great to break the workshop up in 2-3 days.

1st day - History of bhangra, show them bhangra videos and teach them all the basic steps
2nd day - Teach them a 2-3 minute routine
3rd day - Polish up the routine + take them out to basement bhangra!

 

[Jeeti]

Navi, great to see you on BTF!

It would be great to break the workshop up in 2-3 days.

1st day - History of bhangra, show them bhangra videos and teach them all the basic steps
2nd day - Teach them a 2-3 minute routine
3rd day - Polish up the routine + take them out to basement bhangra!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GoCvuu0dlQ

 

[sorethighs]

For larger groups one thing that works well is to break the group up into smaller units of poeple, say 4-7 people. After intro and stuff and basics, have one team member work with each small group to make a routine, and then have all of the groups perform their routine in front of the other groups. Everyone sees different steps and also gets a chance to do the dance in front of people

 

[mafzal]

We did workshops/workouts before. Didn't get tons of turnout but the people that did come were pretty diverse. Anyways a few things we learned:

* Try to do this in a studio or somewhere with mirrors
* Teach the feet first. Like someone already said, basic feet --> basic arms --> standard steps. If you think about it in basic bhangra there's really only like 3 or 4 different types of footwork. Once ur solid on that you can learn quickly.
* Try to get a dholi!!! So much easier than teaching steps to music. Even if you can burn a CD of basic dhol beats, that helps.
* Teach a fun, simple routine! People loved when they could start doing a routine, it was soo basic and repetitive lol but they started having so much fun when we did a routine.
* Show a couple YouTube vids when you're done, or when you're taking a water break: Empire, DRP, and VCU.

Then some ideas that might make it more workshop-y rather than straight workout (if that's what ur goin for) maybe you could bring a vardi and hang it up, bring some chimtas people can play with, some props, and give 'em something to take home when they leave like a mango juice box!

 

[- Raja -]

Mariams right..trying teaching them infront of mirrrors. that way they knoww how it looks when they actaully do it. it might just encourage them to learn more.

 

[GidhaRani]

All of the suggestions are great. I would also add that, when doing the introductory section of your workshop, you may want to teach them some Punjabi words that are common in bhangra songs (and how to pronounce "bhangra" correctly). Also, once you're done with basics, it may help to teach them to a song w/ lyrics because a.) you can go through the words of the song and then b.) they have a way to connect their steps with the song's meaning.