Why do you do bhangra?

[Ricky916]

I do bhangra because i love dancing nd becuz it keeps me connected wit my culture! ;D

 

[Saab]

I do it because I love it, because I love the people with it, and I can express myself through it. You can take away a lot of things from me, but you cant take away this. Ive earned it with sweat and long hours, and itll never leave me.

 

[Tuckerrrr]

I enjoy studying and performing the art-form and it gives me an opportunity to showcase an aspect of my culture to others. Once people are interested in Bhangra, they tend to learn about Punjabi culture and Sikhism. So indirectly, Bhangra helps decrease ignorance of Sikhs and Punjabis in the West, especially in the U.S.

 

[abhigames]

I don't live for glamour, I don't care for fame, I'm in it for the love of the game.

Mostly afterparties and girls. True story.

 

[Gugu]

I do it because I love it, because I love the people with it, and I can express myself through it. You can take away a lot of things from me, but you cant take away this. Ive earned it with sweat and long hours, and itll never leave me.

Damn thats deep bro. Would make for a sick gatorade bhangra commercial haha

 

[ChiragT]

I don't. I do raas. Duh.

Hahahahahahahaha I like it

 

[Sandeep.M]

I do bhangra for a reason, its in my blood . i totally agree with everything that has to be said. bhangra is getting ruined. I've been doing bhangra for about 10-11 years now. If you have a passion for something then do it. I live my life off of bhangra, i may sound weird hhaha but it's the truth. Kids these days have no respect for anything, and theres those kids who actually take bhangra serious. If you don't like bhangra then stop getting into it and stop ruining it. Its hard enough for me NOT to do bhangra. Some kids get forced into doing bhangra, hey its good if they're learning something new. but if after a while they dont like it dont force them. I really don't want bhangra getting ruined in the future, its gonna hurt, becuz bhangra means everything to me. Punjabi heritage means everything to me. But now a days, who knows whats gonna happen later on!! :-\

 

[Balpreet23]

To Preserve our culture. To learn, to grow, to inspire. I want kids to look up to me like I looked up to the older generation.

Bhangra isn't just for the "indian" community, with bhangra we can share and spread our culture to/with the rest of the world. I think in some cases it alleviates ethnocentrism.

..And you know that feeling you get when you're performing...nuff said, its undescribable. Being on a stage with 7 other dancers who put in so much work with you- its amazing. That pride of your teamates you get when you dance.. that's why I do bhangra.
..well there's my essay for the day.

 

[Somi]

I don't. I do raas. Duh.

you can't even do that

I do bhangra because i love dancing nd becuz it keeps me connected wit my culture! ;D

and Somia!


....but bhangra is a stress reliever for me.

 

[PINDER KORDA SINGH]

I do it for the brothers on my team I love virsa

 

[Rajbir]

i do bhangra to get closer to the guys .... uhh ummm i mean girls ;D

 

[Manjot]

Bhangra is just fun generally...the dancing part/afterparty/meetin people..and dancing on dhol to my fav boliyaans is jus out of this world...sometimes bhangra is something to do/pass time/like nothing better to do lol

Also a good way to get out of the house by telling parents im going to practice for couple of hours lol

 

[COMTONDAJATT]

I am curious to know what about Punjabi culture you guys think Bhangra spreads or brings awareness to? It did not even technically exist 60 something years ago and the context of the dance/dances are taken away when they are done on stage and in competitions.

I can understand the rush of preforming, being able to meet new people and having a sense of identity, and wanting to hook up with punjabi kuriyan but whenever someone says the culture thing I automatically think BS because there are much better/genuine ways to experience and share Punjabi culture.

 

[- Raja -]

i dont think its really the younger kids fault. i blame it more on the politics.

 

[Ashveer]

I am curious to know what about Punjabi culture you guys think Bhangra spreads or brings awareness to? It did not even technically exist 60 something years ago and the context of the dance/dances are taken away when they are done on stage and in competitions.

+1

I would submit that the change from folk to performance was completely untraditional, and only serves to promote more of an imagined version of Punjabi culture that erases and collapses a bunch of different narratives and histories. But why worry about that?

 

[Gugu]

I am curious to know what about Punjabi culture you guys think Bhangra spreads or brings awareness to? It did not even technically exist 60 something years ago and the context of the dance/dances are taken away when they are done on stage and in competitions.

I can understand the rush of preforming, being able to meet new people and having a sense of identity, and wanting to hook up with punjabi kuriyan but whenever someone says the culture thing I automatically think BS because there are much better/genuine ways to experience and share Punjabi culture.

I sooorta see what you're saying bro, but through stage bhangra, we still help the audiences that are not as much connected to the culture. Just within my family, watching competitions like DDA, and nachda punjab and stuff, many of younger cousins got into bhangra, which led them into speaking punjabi more often and fluently, which led them more into sikhi, which led them to connect more with the grown ups in the community, do seva at the gurdwara, just get a better sense of their own identity etc. etc. So, I think doing bhangra on stage to stay connected to your roots isn't exactly bs. I'm sure doing bhangra was just something they thought was cool when they first saw it on stage, but it helped them relate to their own peers and culture indirectly.

Also, did you watch the documentary on bhangra that featured DDA and Bhangra Empire last year? Those kinda things help spread awareness about the culture and who we are. Now say some non-punjabi watches that video, he/she would be pretty damn interested in finding out more about what this "bhangra" and "punjab" is about.

In the end, bhangra on stage does more good than harm, IMO obviously.

 

[Raghav]

i do it because...i lovee to dancee its something that keeps me happyy and its fun!
PLUS..i lost alot of weight doing it...alot of motivation for me :$
ahahah i just love bhangra (H)

 

[rajkaran]

I am curious to know what about Punjabi culture you guys think Bhangra spreads or brings awareness to? It did not even technically exist 60 something years ago and the context of the dance/dances are taken away when they are done on stage and in competitions.

I can understand the rush of preforming, being able to meet new people and having a sense of identity, and wanting to hook up with punjabi kuriyan but whenever someone says the culture thing I automatically think BS because there are much better/genuine ways to experience and share Punjabi culture.

I sooorta see what you're saying bro, but through stage bhangra, we still help the audiences that are not as much connected to the culture. Just within my family, watching competitions like DDA, and nachda punjab and stuff, many of younger cousins got into bhangra, which led them into speaking punjabi more often and fluently, which led them more into sikhi, which led them to connect more with the grown ups in the community, do seva at the gurdwara, just get a better sense of their own identity etc. etc. So, I think doing bhangra on stage to stay connected to your roots isn't exactly bs. I'm sure doing bhangra was just something they thought was cool when they first saw it on stage, but it helped them relate to their own peers and culture indirectly.

Also, did you watch the documentary on bhangra that featured DDA and Bhangra Empire last year? Those kinda things help spread awareness about the culture and who we are. Now say some non-punjabi watches that video, he/she would be pretty damn interested in finding out more about what this "bhangra" and "punjab" is about.

In the end, bhangra on stage does more good than harm, IMO obviously.

One of the reasons I finally decided to pursue Punjabi properly in college was because of bhangra music

...and apparently I'm the only fat guy here...because one of the reasons I do bhangra is because it's a great aerobic workout.

 

[COMTONDAJATT]

+1

I would submit that the change from folk to performance was completely untraditional, and only serves to promote more of an imagined version of Punjabi culture that erases and collapses a bunch of different narratives and histories. But why worry about that?

Werd, I can agree on that. This is why one of the reasons I find the modern/traditional debate so stupid.

I sooorta see what you're saying bro, but through stage bhangra, we still help the audiences that are not as much connected to the culture. Just within my family, watching competitions like DDA, and nachda punjab and stuff, many of younger cousins got into bhangra, which led them into speaking punjabi more often and fluently, which led them more into sikhi, which led them to connect more with the grown ups in the community, do seva at the gurdwara, just get a better sense of their own identity etc. etc. So, I think doing bhangra on stage to stay connected to your roots isn't exactly bs. I'm sure doing bhangra was just something they thought was cool when they first saw it on stage, but it helped them relate to their own peers and culture indirectly.

Also, did you watch the documentary on bhangra that featured DDA and Bhangra Empire last year? Those kinda things help spread awareness about the culture and who we are. Now say some non-punjabi watches that video, he/she would be pretty damn interested in finding out more about what this "bhangra" and "punjab" is about.

In the end, bhangra on stage does more good than harm, IMO obviously.

You have good points but like you said most of the positive benefits come pretty much indirectly. I am sure it can be an impetus for some people to go down that path of learning their language but I just don't feel it is honestly about cultural awareness more than it is for people to be a part of a community or group and forge some kind of identity. Nothing wrong with that at all btw.

 

[KingGeorge]

First of all, much of the "bhangra" that we appreciate in North America has actually emerged and matured in North America. Therefore I wouldn't consider it as the culture of Punjab as much as I would as the culture of Punjabi descendants in America/Canada. Granted that this might be a valid defense for "modern" bhangra advocates in the "modern vs. traditional" debate, but I think that issue is really about what is aesthetically pleasing rather than how we are staying connected to the culture of Punjab.

That being said, is it possible that exposure to the North American bhangra scene can spark an interest in learning about Punjabi culture? Sure, why not.

Regarding the recent pollution of the North American bhangra scene, I think we're missing the big picture. Global youth as a whole is becoming more and more vulnerable to vices, egos and irrational lifestyles. The bhangra circuit serves as a minute, alarming example of society's newest preservation challenge.