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