Bhangra Classes introduced by Routes 2 Roots in a bid to promote Folk Art forms of India

Folk arts are the true representation of the cultural richness of India. Passed down by generations often through undocumented channels, these arts form the pulsating core of any civilisation and preserving and promoting them becomes the responsibility of every society and country. At Routes 2 Roots promoting the rich cultural heritage of India has been at the core of its digital education program, be it with classical arts or folk.

The cultural education classes of the NGO in operation over the last 10 years across schools in India have propagated many classical, folk and literary performing arts. This year the program adds to its curriculum Bhangra classes to teach the popular and globally loved dance form to students in every state of India. Bhangra crossed the confines of Punjab’s fields and festivals and made its foray into the popular realm when it became a part of Indian cinema and mainstream films and went on to not just become a national rage but also a dance form which is widely used for celebrations across the world in its original Punjabi form as well as its fusion variations. Today it is also practised as a fitness workout.

In the maiden class of Routes 2 Roots Bhangra instructor Harshdeep Kaur, who comes with over 25 years of experience teaching and performing the dance form explained the history and evolution of the folk dance to thousands of students who joined the live class from across India. She began the process of teaching the fundamentals of the dance to enthusiastic students who had a lot of fun learning and immensely enjoyed the class. We look forward to students learning this folk dance to adding it to their celebrations as well as making it a part of their fitness and exercise routine. Here are glimpses from the first session.