Celebrating Garba & Bhangra: The Joy of Festive Folk Dance

Bhangra: The Pulse of Punjab

Originally danced by farmers in Punjab to celebrate the spring harvest (Vaisakhi), Bhangra is a high-octane dance characterized by energetic leaps, shoulder drops, and raising arms to the beat of the dhol drum. It represents celebration, resilience, and pure unadulterated joy.

Garba: The Circular Dance of Grace

Garba is a traditional folk dance from Gujarat, danced in concentric circles around a central lamp or statue of Goddess Durga during the Navratri festival. The circular flow represents the cycle of life, time, and the divine feminine, building in tempo and coordination with rhythmic hand claps and turns.

Garba circles bring people together in a meditative, energetic flow of community and devotion.

Whether it's Garba rehearsals in Dietikon or Bhangra workshops at ETH Zurich, these folk styles invite participants of all backgrounds to share in the rhythmic heritage of India. Learn more on our Workshops page.