Bhangra is undeniably one of the most vibrant of South Asian dance styles. Young and old - this form of music and dance appeals to all. It is the life of the party. This heart-pounding and energetic music simply leaves us gasping for more. It epitomizes modern urban dance around the world, yet its origins are ancient.

Bhangra was born as a traditional folk dance of Punjab (located in Northern India and Pakistan). It was a form of celebrating the harvest festival of Baisakhi, as farmers celebrated the fruits of their labor. Primary instruments used in Bhangra include the dhol, a double headed drum that is worn around the neck and beaten with curved sticks. The tempo is fast-paced, compelling the listener to get those joints moving.

Today, Bhangra is no longer confined to Punjab. Modern Bhangra is a synergy of its traditional origins and contemporary musical styles such as reggae, techno, rap, trance and house, providing for enormous variety. Second- and third- generation South Asian immigrants are creating their own hybrid styles, such as Bhangra music of British born Indians, whose style fuses Punjabi folk rhythms and melodies with disco and Jamaican reggae. The contagious rhythms of Bhangra have permeated the mainstream music scene with energy, as seen for example on the first Thursday of every month at the New York City nightclub SOB (Sounds of Brazil), starring resident Bhangra disc-spinner DJ Rekha. The music attracts a cosmopolitan mix of people from all cultures.

Bhangra superstars include Bally Sagoo and Apache Indian, signed to international recording labels Sony and Island, respectively. These pioneers have spawned a whole new wave of celebrity DJs who remix Bhangra music with reggae, hiphop, house, or jungle to create tunes that all South Asians can relate to. For instance, the bicultural children of Punjabi immigrants in the UK created 'Bhangramuffin', which fuses the swing of reggae with the lilt of Bhangra, featuring both Punjabi vocalists and reggae 'toasters.' Brothers Pinto and Bobby Johal were among the first in North America to create Bhangra remixes. DJ Bobby has spun in countries like Belgium, England, India, Ireland, Malaysia, Pakistan, Nairobi and Australia, to name a few. The brothers started in 1991 with their hit CD called 'Watch Out,' and have produced 12 albums in total. According to DJ Bobby, there are almost two new Bhangra CDs produced per day.

The beauty of Bhangra is that it appeals to a variety of "desis." One need not essentially comprehend the Punjabi language in order to enjoy the music. As one club hopper stated, "Even though I am not Punjabi I can still feel the beat and rhythm that makes me want to get up and dance." There are some common words that are typically used in all Bhangra songs, such as "Balle Balle!" and the gloriously macho chant of "Hai! Hai! Hai!" "Kudiya" and "Nach" ("girl" and "dance," respectively) appear in many titles as well. And of course, there's "Chak de Phatey" which simply means "Raise the Roof".

The popularity of Bhangra is set to grow as South Asians strive to maintain their heritage. Community events are also a means of celebrating the Indian culture in many ways. The India Day Parade is a major event that takes place in New York City to showcase our cultural diversity and a way to encourage Bhangra dancers to participate in performing the art. Bhangra competitions such as those held annually in George Washington University and MIT attract South Asians from various colleges to congregate for one cause- Bhangra!

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