Rustic melodies and exuberant rhythms—the North has it all

Boasting a rich and diverse musical history, the northern Indian state of Punjab is known for its traditional folk and Sufi music styles—but it’s most closely identified with the vibrant, energetic sounds of bhangra. Originally named after a type of dance that farmers would perform in celebration of the harvest festival Vaisakhi, bhangra has undergone dramatic change in Punjab, going from local songs and poetry couplets—or boliyan—to a thriving global music industry. These boliyan, commonly passed down from generation to generation, expressed the breadth of family stories with wit and emotion. Renowned Punjabi singers such as Kuldeep Manak and, later, Gurdas Maan, would contribute to the growing popularity of these folk tales among Punjabis around the world in the ‘70s and ‘80s.

 

The ‘80s ushered Punjabi folk music into a new era, particularly in the UK. Artists there began mixing Western instruments with the classical instruments that made up the backbone of the Punjabi sound, like the dhol, a two-headed drum, as well as the single-stringed tumbi and algozey dual flute. That experiment gave rise to today’s bhangra. Throughout the ‘90s, the likes of Malkit Singh and Jazzy B bolstered this evolving genre, transforming it into the widely recognised sound of northern India enjoyed by Punjabis around the globe. Today, of course, the music is still adored in its many forms. Gurdas Maan continues to produce folk music with traditionally inspired lyrics evoking deep, heartfelt emotions, as do newer artists such as the poet Satinder Sartaaj. Singers like Badshah, Diljit Dosanjh, Daler Mehndi, Amrinder Gill and Roshan Prince radiate the poppier side of bhangra made famous in Punjabi films and enjoyed on dance floors at weddings, parties and clubs the world over.