BHANGRA: Vancouver-style

Performing Arts & Entertainment in Canada, Wntr, 1999 by Suniti Pande

On the other hand, Suki Pangalia of the Rangeela Dance School in Surrey says, with a flexible attitude, "Bhangra is not an art in the sense of it being a classical art, it is simply what you do with music. Anything goes." Of course this usually involves a certain costume, props, a kind of song with a strong beat, and lyrics. Improvisation is part of the fun. A really showy costume adds to the mood,and will consist of shimmering silk dhoti (long cloth wrapped around the body), a long shirt, vest, bandana or turban. Beads may be worn around the neck and swords may be carried.

Suki is quite clear that both traditional versions and the modern versions can exist together. "It is very difficult to get children who are born here involved with the culture of their parents. The songs and themes sung by their rural ancestors have little relevance to them, seeing as some have never set foot in India. So, he says, we have mixed modern dance with the old.

You want to do hip hop?

We've got hip hop Bhangra.

You want to rap?

We've got rap Bhangra,

You want ro reggae, we have that too.

Something for everyone of all tastes. He says, on the face of it, it may seem that by mixing the old with new, we lose something. But actually, the exact opposite happens. By speaking to the younger generation in their language, and meeting them on their terms, we open a channel of learning.

The children get hooked and soon we hear parents telling us that their children want to know what the lyrics mean, want to hear more songs, get involved with Hindi movies, and slowly develop an interest in India in a broader sense. "I think it gives them a strong sense of who they are."

Suki's view is substantiated by the enormous numbers of children attending the school. Rangeela teaches about a thousand students, in several branches in BC, spreading to Calgary and Edmonton, and soon to Toronto. The school operates a shuttle bus to ease the load for busy parents particularly before rehearsals for performances.

How long did it take to build this school?

Rangeela was started in '94, by a young couple, Suki and his wife Lali. They are an attractive dynamic team, with tremendous talent in passing on their skills to the community.

Starting with a few classes in 1994, they have expanded rapidly. They are now an integral part of the community, at the Vancouver International Children's Festival and the PNE exhibition. Child-centred commitment probably explains Rangeela's huge success, with flexibility and variety, complete with a mascot - Rangy baba - a friendly elephant.

Rangeela cleverly sidesteps the traditional/modern dichotomy, and coexistence seems to be the way forward. Suki acknowledges Binning's work respectfully and believes that the traditional will always feed and inspire the modern.

Modern Bhangra was not invented in Vancouver. It apparently began in the Indian quarter of British cities like London, Birmingham and Manchester over the last ten to fifteen years. Old sounds are mixed with either break-or techno beats, and can be quite funky.