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Bhangra!

Story by Jaspreet Kaur Sandhu / Pictures by Chew Yaoxian

Three-man swing, leg lock, helicopter swing, the dragon. These are just a few of the stunts performed by the Jigri Yaar Bhangra Troupe. PIONEER finds out more about this energetic dance that has become an icon of Singapore's multi-ethnic community.

Bhangra is considered to be one of the oldest folk dances in the world.

It originated from the northern Indian region of Punjab. Punjabi farmers supposedly passed their time, while working in their fields, by dancing and singing songs about their village life. Eventually these dance and song routines became part of the harvest festivals at Baisakhi (held annually on 13 Apr) as farmers celebrated
their harvest by singing and dancing to the beat of the dhol, a North Indian instrument.

Traditionally an exclusive male dance (the female equivalent is called 'Giddha'), Bhangra has now come to represent the massive movements of people dancing to bhangra music at clubs around the world.

According to Hardip Singh (left) and Sandeep Singh of Jigri Yaar, what makes traditional bhangra different from the bhangra dancing in clubs is that it is half-dance, half-acrobatics, with various stunts involving many men at one time.

Sandeep clarifies: "The twist in the dance which most people see here in Singapore, which is different from the pure Bhangra dance from Punjab, is that there is
a heavy western influence in the music, namely the house and dance beats. But what is essential is the dhol. Without it, there is no Bhangra."

Beat of the Dhol

The most essential instrument in Bhangra is the dhol (a large barrel-shaped drum, with two skins on both sides which are made from goat hide).

This drum is carried by the drummer in any Bhangra troupe and is rhythmically hit with two sticks at each side of the drum.

The skin is taut, such that an extremely loud bass and treble sound is heard when it is hit. It is to the beat of the dhol that the dancers exult to.

As the dhol beats get faster, the dancing gets more frenetic and often it is when the beat is at its fastest that the dancers feel most exhilarated and the most complex stunts are performed.

Troupe laws

According to troupe leader, Hardip Singh, the most important aspect of troupe membership is the strict, almost military-like, discipline all members have to upkeep. "That means no slacking off, keeping out of trouble with the law, and not missing any practice session."

He adds: "Anyone who wants to join will have to first go through a three-month induction period for a character evaluation to see how suitable he is for the troupe. Because the stunts involved often require team effort, it is necessary for the troupe members to be well co-ordinated."

Sandeep, who became interested in joining the group three years ago when he saw them at a performance, quips: "Girlfriends and wives are not allowed at practices and performances, so that the men will not be distracted!"

Every member firmly believes and supports the troupe's rules. Should anyone renege on these, they are automatically dismissed from the troupe.

Costumes for each member can cost up to $400, with many of the materials available only from India. They are hand-sewn by Mr Hardip's wife. Each performer's gear includes a long list of clothing and accessories.

Free for all

Race or religion is definitely not a membership criterion, although the music is distinctively Punjabi.

Julian Wee Ching Wei, a third-year Singapore Management University undergrad, became interested in joining the troupe when he signed up for one of Hardip's Bhangra Aerobics sessions. He has been with the troupe since then.

"When Hardip offered me a place in the Bhangra troupe, I jumped at the offer as it would allow me to learn more than the basic aerobics moves," he said. "It would also give me an insight into another culture."

Jigri Yaar has performed at many grand scale events, the most recent being a 75-minute performance for the opening of the Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay.

The troupe has also performed overseas, with the Singapore Tourism Board, to promote Singapore as a tourism hub.

Bhangra Aerobics

With Bhangra music being highly energetic and fast, it is little wonder that Bhangra Aerobics came about as a high-powered workout, albeit with an ethnic slant.

This is not an entirely new phenomenon as Bhangra Aerobics is also common in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, where familiarity with Bhangra has resulted in its fusion with aerobics. What makes it easy is the fact that Bhangra music itself is usually highly energetic and thus blends very well with aerobic workouts.

Hardip, a qualified aerobics instructor, used to teach Bhangra Aerobics at various community clubs. He says that students need not first be fit as they are slowly introduced to aerobics through the use of Bhangra music and usually start off with light stretching exercises. His students were mainly Chinese men and women of all ages.

Bhangra now

Today, modern Bhangra music is becoming epitomised by a mix of traditional Punjabi folk music with trance, hip-hop, house and R&B music. Modern Bhangra steps, while not as complex as the traditional folk dances, often involve heavy body movements.

The United Kingdom lays claim to the modern Bhangra phenomenon, a result of the massive migration of Punjabis after the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947.

There, the music slowly evolved to incorporate Western influences whilst retaining the Punjabi traditions.

Though the songs are almost always sung in the Punjabi language, the music and rhythm are enjoyed by many people of the diverse Indian and non-Indian communities world-wide, who do not always understand the lyrics but nonetheless stomp to the beat of Bhangra.

To find out more about the Jigri Yaar performances or Bhangra Aerobics classes, contact Hardip Singh at 93861935.

		Bhangra! Story by Jaspreet Kaur Sandhu / Pictures by Chew Yaoxian Three-man swing, leg lock, helicopter swing, the dragon. These are just a few of the stunts performed by the Jigri Yaar Bhangra Troupe. PIONEER finds out more about this energetic dance that has become an icon of Singapore's multi-ethnic community. Bhangra is considered to be one of the oldest folk dances in the world. It originated from the northern Indian region of Punjab. Punjabi farmers supposedly passed their time, while working in their fields, by dancing and singing songs about their village life. Eventually these dance and song routines became part of the harvest festivals at Baisakhi (held annually on 13 Apr) as farmers celebrated their harvest by singing and dancing to the beat of the dhol, a North Indian instrument. Traditionally an exclusive male dance (the female equivalent is called 'Giddha'), Bhangra has now come to represent the massive movements of people dancing to bhangra music at clubs around the world. According to Hardip Singh (left) and Sandeep Singh of Jigri Yaar, what makes traditional bhangra different from the bhangra dancing in clubs is that it is half-dance, half-acrobatics, with various stunts involving many men at one time. Sandeep clarifies: "The twist in the dance which most people see here in Singapore, which is different from the pure Bhangra dance from Punjab, is that there is a heavy western influence in the music, namely the house and dance beats. But what is essential is the dhol. Without it, there is no Bhangra." Beat of the Dhol The most essential instrument in Bhangra is the dhol (a large barrel-shaped drum, with two skins on both sides which are made from goat hide). This drum is carried by the drummer in any Bhangra troupe and is rhythmically hit with two sticks at each side of the drum. The skin is taut, such that an extremely loud bass and treble sound is heard when it is hit. It is to the beat of the dhol that the dancers exult to. As the dhol beats get faster, the dancing gets more frenetic and often it is when the beat is at its fastest that the dancers feel most exhilarated and the most complex stunts are performed. Troupe laws According to troupe leader, Hardip Singh, the most important aspect of troupe membership is the strict, almost military-like, discipline all members have to upkeep. "That means no slacking off, keeping out of trouble with the law, and not missing any practice session." He adds: "Anyone who wants to join will have to first go through a three-month induction period for a character evaluation to see how suitable he is for the troupe. Because the stunts involved often require team effort, it is necessary for the troupe members to be well co-ordinated." Sandeep, who became interested in joining the group three years ago when he saw them at a performance, quips: "Girlfriends and wives are not allowed at practices and performances, so that the men will not be distracted!" Every member firmly believes and supports the troupe's rules. Should anyone renege on these, they are automatically dismissed from the troupe. Costumes for each member can cost up to $400, with many of the materials available only from India. They are hand-sewn by Mr Hardip's wife. Each performer's gear includes a long list of clothing and accessories. Free for all Race or religion is definitely not a membership criterion, although the music is distinctively Punjabi. Julian Wee Ching Wei, a third-year Singapore Management University undergrad, became interested in joining the troupe when he signed up for one of Hardip's Bhangra Aerobics sessions. He has been with the troupe since then. "When Hardip offered me a place in the Bhangra troupe, I jumped at the offer as it would allow me to learn more than the basic aerobics moves," he said. "It would also give me an insight into another culture." Jigri Yaar has performed at many grand scale events, the most recent being a 75-minute performance for the opening of the Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay. The troupe has also performed overseas, with the Singapore Tourism Board, to promote Singapore as a tourism hub. Bhangra Aerobics With Bhangra music being highly energetic and fast, it is little wonder that Bhangra Aerobics came about as a high-powered workout, albeit with an ethnic slant. This is not an entirely new phenomenon as Bhangra Aerobics is also common in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, where familiarity with Bhangra has resulted in its fusion with aerobics. What makes it easy is the fact that Bhangra music itself is usually highly energetic and thus blends very well with aerobic workouts. Hardip, a qualified aerobics instructor, used to teach Bhangra Aerobics at various community clubs. He says that students need not first be fit as they are slowly introduced to aerobics through the use of Bhangra music and usually start off with light stretching exercises. His students were mainly Chinese men and women of all ages. Bhangra now Today, modern Bhangra music is becoming epitomised by a mix of traditional Punjabi folk music with trance, hip-hop, house and R&B music. Modern Bhangra steps, while not as complex as the traditional folk dances, often involve heavy body movements. The United Kingdom lays claim to the modern Bhangra phenomenon, a result of the massive migration of Punjabis after the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947. There, the music slowly evolved to incorporate Western influences whilst retaining the Punjabi traditions. Though the songs are almost always sung in the Punjabi language, the music and rhythm are enjoyed by many people of the diverse Indian and non-Indian communities world-wide, who do not always understand the lyrics but nonetheless stomp to the beat of Bhangra. To find out more about the Jigri Yaar performances or Bhangra Aerobics classes, contact Hardip Singh at 93861935.