What is bhangra?
Bhangra is a high-energy Punjabi folk dance of jumps, shoulder bounces and raised arms, driven by the dhol drum. Traditionally danced at harvest (Vaisakhi), it is now a competitive college sport in the US, with teams performing choreographed sets that mix traditional steps with props.
History
Bhangra began as a harvest celebration in Punjab. British Punjabi musicians in the 1980s created bhangra pop, and North American university teams built a large competition circuit from the 1990s onward.
Basic technique
- Shoulder bounces and hand raises (dhamaal)
- Jhoomar and luddi steps
- Props — saap (clapper) and khunda (stick)
Music & tempo
Dhol-driven Punjabi music.
What to wear
Traditional kurta and chadra for performance; sneakers for practice.
How to get started
College bhangra teams and Punjabi cultural centers run classes.
We list 14 studios that teach bhangra, or browse all dance studios by state.
Recent research
- Effects of Dance Movement Therapy and Dance on Health-Related Psychological Outcomes. A Meta-Analysis Update. — Frontiers in psychology, 2019
- Definition, acronyms, nomenclature, and classification of angioedema (DANCE): AAAAI, ACAAI, ACARE, and APAAACI DANCE consensus. — The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology, 2024
- Rationale and design of a randomised phase III registration trial investigating finerenone in participants with type 1 diabetes and chronic kidney disease: The FINE-ONE trial. — Diabetes research and clinical practice, 2023
- Effects of eight weeks of time-restricted feeding (16/8) on basal metabolism, maximal strength, body composition, inflammation, and cardiovascular risk factors in resistance-trained males. — Journal of translational medicine, 2016
- Effects of Resistance Training Performed to Failure or Not to Failure on Muscle Strength, Hypertrophy, and Power Output: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis. — Journal of strength and conditioning research, 2021
Books about bhangra
- Indian dance for the Caribbean by Sandra Sookdeo (1994)
- Celebration of life by Jiwan Pani (2000)
- Kur̲attittōt̲t̲aṃ by Viṣṇunampūtiri, Eṃ. Vi. (1999)
- Gar̥havāla (Gaṅgā-Yamunā ke naihara) ke loka-nrtya by Śivānanda Nauṭiyāla (1974)
- Āpaṇā rāsa-garabā by Jaymall Pragjibhai Parmar (1999)
- Srimati Shanta, Bharata natyam by Govindraj Venkatachalam (1944)
Encyclopedia summary
Bhangra is a type of traditional folk dance of Punjab area of the Indian subcontinent. According to Manuel (2001), bhangra is especially associated with the vernal Vaisakhi festival, performed during harvest season between April and the first quarter of May.
In a typical performance, several dancers execute vigorous kicks, leaps, and bends of the body—often with upraised, thrusting arm or shoulder movements—to the accompaniment of short songs called boliyan and, most significantly, to the beat of a dhol (double-headed drum). Struck with a heavy beater on one end and with a lighter stick on the other, the dhol imbues the music with a syncopated (accents on the weak beats), swinging rhythmic character that has generally remained the hallmark of bhangra music. An energetic Punjabi dance, bhangra originated with Punjabi farmers as a cultural and communal celebration. Its modern-day evolution has allowed bhangra to retain its traditional Punjabi roots, while broadening its reach to include integration into popular music and DJing, group-based competitions, and even exercise and dance programs in schools and studios.
Frequently asked questions
Is bhangra a good workout?
Yes — it is one of the most intense folk dances, with constant jumps and arm work.
How many calories does bhangra burn?
About 720 calories per hour for a 155-lb (70 kg) person, based on a MET value of 9.8 from the Compendium of Physical Activities. See calories burned bhangra for every body weight.
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Last reviewed October 2026 · Editorial policy