| Punjabi folk music is highly rhythmic, and | | | | high-tone, single-string instrument. Although |
| very diverse. The western region is the home | | | | it has only one string, mastering the tumbi |
| of styles like dhoola and mahiya, while the | | | | takes many years. The sarangi is a |
| popular boli style is performed different | | | | multi-stringed instrument, somewhat similar |
| across the region. The vocals are another | | | | to the violin. The sapera produces a |
| integral part of Punjabi music, as are | | | | beautiful, high-pitched stringy beat, while |
| instruments like the dhol, tumbi, dhad | | | | the supp and chimta add extra, light sound to |
| sarangi, algoza and Ektara. | | | | Bhangra music. Finally, the dhad, dafli, |
| | | | dholki, and damru are instruments that |
| Punjab | | | | produce more drum beats, but with much less |
| | | | bass than the dhol drum. |
| The birthplace of Bhangra, the Punjab is a | | | | |
| region extending over part of Northern India | | | | Bhangra is a lively form of music and dance |
| and Northeastern Pakistan. Translated, the | | | | that originated in the Punjab region in |
| name "Punjab" means the "Land of Five | | | | Southeast Asia. As many Bhangra lyrics |
| Rivers." The people of the Punjab are called | | | | reflect the long and often tumultuous history |
| Punjabis and they speak a language called | | | | of the Punjab, knowledge of Punjabi history |
| Punjabi. The three main religions in the area | | | | offers important insights into the meaning of |
| are Sikhism, Hinduism, and Islam. The region | | | | the music. While Bhangra began as a part of |
| has been invaded and ruled by many different | | | | harvest festival celebrations, it eventually |
| empires and races, including the Aryans, | | | | became a part of such diverse occasions as |
| Persians, Greeks, Muslims, and Mongols. | | | | weddings and New Year celebrations. Moreover, |
| Around the time of the 15th Century, Guru | | | | during the last thirty years, Bhangra has |
| Nanak Dev founded the Sikh religion, which | | | | enjoyed a surge in popularity worldwide, both |
| quickly came to prominence in the region. The | | | | in traditional form and as a fusion with |
| 19th Century saw the beginning of British | | | | genres such as hip-hop, house, and reggae. As |
| rule, which led to the emergence of several | | | | Bhangra continues to move into mainstream |
| heroic freedom fighters, the subject of many | | | | culture, an understanding of its history and |
| Bhangra songs. Finally, the Punjab was split | | | | tradition helps to appreciate it. |
| between Pakistan and India at the end of | | | | |
| British rule in 1947. This partitioning | | | | Bhangra Instruments |
| resulted in a large migration of Punjabis | | | | |
| into the United Kingdom, which eventually led | | | | Many different Punjabi instruments |
| to the emergence of Bhangra in Western clubs | | | | contribute to the sound of Bhangra. Although |
| and dancehalls. | | | | the most important instrument is the dhol |
| | | | drum, Bhangra also features a variety of |
| Bhangra | | | | string and other drum instruments. |
| | | | |
| Bhangra is a lively form of music and dance | | | | The primary and most important instrument |
| that originated in the Punjab region in | | | | that defines Bhangra is the dhol. The dhol is |
| Southeast Asia. As many Bhangra lyrics | | | | a large, high-bass drum, played by beating it |
| reflect the long and often tumultuous history | | | | with two sticks. The width of a dhol skin is |
| of the Punjab, knowledge of Punjabi history | | | | about fifteen inches in general, and the dhol |
| offers important insights into the meaning of | | | | player holds his instrument with a strap |
| the music. While Bhangra began as a part of | | | | around his neck. |
| harvest festival celebrations, it eventually | | | | |
| became a part of such diverse occasions as | | | | The string instruments include the tumbi, |
| weddings and New Year celebrations. Moreover, | | | | sarangi, sapera, supp, and chimta. The dhad, |
| during the last thirty years, Bhangra has | | | | dafli, dholki, and damru are the other drums. |
| enjoyed a surge in popularity worldwide, both | | | | The tumbi, famously mastered by Amar Singh |
| in traditional form and as a fusion with | | | | Chamkila, a famous Punjabi singer, is a |
| genres such as hip-hop, house, and reggae. As | | | | high-tone, single-string instrument. Although |
| Bhangra continues to move into mainstream | | | | it has only one string, mastering the tumbi |
| culture, an understanding of its history and | | | | takes many years. The sarangi is a |
| tradition helps to appreciate it. | | | | multi-stringed instrument, somewhat similar |
| | | | to the violin. The sapera produces a |
| Bhangra Instruments | | | | beautiful, high-pitched stringy beat, while |
| | | | the supp and chimta add extra, light sound to |
| Many different Punjabi instruments | | | | Bhangra music. Finally, the dhad, dafli, |
| contribute to the sound of Bhangra. Although | | | | dholki, and damru are instruments that |
| the most important instrument is the dhol | | | | produce more drum beats, but with much less |
| drum, Bhangra also features a variety of | | | | bass than the dhol drum. |
| string and other drum instruments. | | | | |
| | | | Bhangra Today |
| The primary and most important instrument | | | | |
| that defines Bhangra is the dhol. The dhol is | | | | Bhangra has come a long way in the 20th |
| a large, high-bass drum, played by beating it | | | | Century and has recently taken the |
| with two sticks. The width of a dhol skin is | | | | entertainment industry by storm. In the 1970s |
| about fifteen inches in general, and the dhol | | | | and 1980s, many Punjabi singers from |
| player holds his instrument with a strap | | | | Southeast Asia and the United Kingdom |
| around his neck. | | | | emerged, setting the stage for Bhangra to |
| | | | become a hot new trend in dance music. Modern |
| The string instruments include the tumbi, | | | | Bhangra artists, in addition to recording and |
| sarangi, sapera, supp, and chimta. The dhad, | | | | performing traditional Bhangra, have also |
| dafli, dholki, and damru are the other drums. | | | | fused Bhangra with other music genres, such |
| The tumbi, famously mastered by Amar Singh | | | | as hip-hop, reggae, house, and drum-and-bass. |
| Chamkila, a famous Punjabi singer, is a | | | | |