The Northeastern Sikh Student Association, or NSSA, and the Office of Global Services, or OGS, welcomed spring with a vibrant celebration of Punjabi culture March 15 in AfterHours. Drawing an impressive crowd of undergraduate and graduate students, the Bhangra dance workshop was a dazzling display of energy, rhythm and tradition.
The workshop kicked off with an introduction to the history and cultural significance of the iconic folk dance from the Punjab region. Bhangra’s origins date back to the 19th century as a celebration of the harvest season. Its dynamic movements, bright costumes and powerful drumbeats pay homage to the joy and revelry of farmers achieving a successful crop yield.
As the workshop began, participants removed their shoes and braced themselves for the high-energy choreography while NSSA student leaders took to the stage and guided participants through the moves. Meher Khanna and Simran Sohal of the New England Bhangra Club were among the main instructors for the night.
Beginning with foundational dance steps, the crowd quickly mastered the moves and transitioned from dancing to eight-counts to dancing with the music. Open to all experience levels, it was a night for all dancers to brush up on their Bhangra skills or to simply try something new.
Once the choreography portion of the night wrapped up, many had their hands decorated with stunning mehndi designs by student volunteers. Others flocked to the snack table, where an array of snacks (gulab jamun, Parle-g, and barfi) greeted the dancers after a night of hard work.
The OGS has committed to supporting cultural clubs on campus to put on more events like this one. Check out some more of their upcoming events here.
