Developing practice

Bhangra –
The art of
education
Anoop Watts, Dance Practitioner and Dance Writer,
describes using Bhangra as a tool for building
cultural awareness and calls for a strategic approach
to connect leaders of dances of different cultures
with social and cultural agendas within schools

Dances of different cultures and experience of activities and traditions and trying to learn new beats over
heritages are, to a large extent, from different cultures and faiths. In and over. I was elated; my neighbours,
celebrated in the United Kingdom, this way, we can encourage children to not so much!
but I feel that the potential of these love and appreciate their neighbours, My career as a secondary school
dance genres to support the social tackling prejudice and hate.” teacher began in 2003 in Stoke on
and cultural agendas within schools In my work leading Bhangra Trent. Within the first year, although
has not yet been fully explored. The workshops in schools, I am motivated dance was not my specialist subject,
embodiment of these dance styles by the power of dance to address the school invited me to deliver
within the performance sphere in these agendas and believe that a Bhangra afterschool clubs and
the UK is certainly to be celebrated, strategic approach across the UK workshops. Their objectives were
however the development of a more that embraces a variety of dance twofold: build cultural awareness
formal structure or model that links styles will help to provide a greater and offer a ‘fun activity’ for students.
the work of dance artists with the range of choices for schools as well as Other schools and organisations also
needs of schools is much needed. offer practitioners the opportunity to started to approach me to deliver
Education in the UK naturally develop this area of their work. workshops and presentations about
creates both a platform and stimuli Bhangra as they recognised it as a
for eradicating and challenging Bhangra and my journey great way to create cultural awareness
various issues. This is highlighted My Bhangra journey started when through fun and creative means.
by the Department for Education’s I was a child; the music, the dance, Over time, I was also overseeing and
push on agendas such as SMSC the costumes and the singing were researching the SMSC, Community
(Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural), all reaching a place in my heart Cohesion and ECM agendas and I
Community Cohesion and ECM (Every that made me ‘forever smile’. One started to change my workshop focus
Child Matters). They are purposeful Christmas morning in 1991, I was and delivery with these agendas
agendas, though simultaneously gifted the best present I could ever in mind in order to further support
rather ambiguous, and they detail how wish for: a Dhol drum wrapped up schools and broaden the students’
students must be given opportunities and ready to open. However, it experience during the sessions.
to learn about British values alongside wasn’t quite a surprise as a Dhol Over the years, I have developed
world faiths and cultures. Troy drum covered in wrapping paper is an approach to using Bhangra to
Jenkinson, Headteacher of Highgate rather tricky to disguise. At 11 years support these policies in specific ways.
Community Primary School explains: old, I started to teach myself how For example: through the history
“It is important for us as a school to to play this drum by listening to of Bhangra we can discuss cultural
give all of our children a rounded Bhangra music on a cassette player identity in Britain today; through
22 | #peopledancing
 “As a performing
arts genre fused
with a rich cultural
heritage, Bhangra
encompasses
music, food,
religion, costume
and language.”

Students at Mitchell High School, Stoke on Trent. Photo: School staff member

learning to dance Bhangra we can this supports schools towards their yet simultaneously act as a powerful
promote a positive and enjoyable objective of cultural development educational tool that can bring
experience of global culture and and understanding. communities together, raise cultural
heritage; by exploring population, Every school is different and I awareness and directly support school
immigration and Bhangra in Britain have developed a number of plans agendas and policies.
today, we can create a platform to and strategies to tailor workshops I am currently in the process of
initiate discussions within the local to meet those individual needs. developing a UK-wide model that
community. For example, Bhangra has acted offers information and training for
Bhangra stems from agricultural as a ‘dance emergency service’ for dance practitioners about the aims of
societies in the Punjab, North India, schools experiencing particular issues these policies as well as a database
and is by nature a colorful genre; surrounding prejudice and racism, or platform through which schools
the music, costumes and dance and I have been invited to contribute can reach practitioners who have
create something that is already towards eliminating these issues. specific workshops to offer, focused
very attractive. As a performing Some schools simply want a fun and on meeting specific objectives. I also
arts genre fused with a rich cultural informative experience. Recently we feel that including a plethora of dance
heritage, Bhangra encompasses have developed our ‘Special Day’ styles will serve to further increase
music, food, religion, costume and workshop, which takes students cultural awareness in schools and
language. When students learn through an interactive journey of an offer the children a richer experience
how Bhangra steps and movements Indian wedding and during the day we of the arts.
correlate with harvest and agriculture explore Bhangra dance, drumming, This model could create a
as its major influencer, they start to food tasting, costumes and an community between schools and
open their eyes to a new culture. interactive display. dance leaders, providing opportunity
This provides opportunity to build After working with over one to share good practice and update
discussion, sample food, try costumes hundred schools and organisations practitioners on educational changes
and then celebrate with Bhangra nationally and internationally over and policies to support their ongoing
drumming and dancing again. As the past ten years, I have had the work. I would love to hear from other
well as offering the opportunity to wonderful opportunity to use my artists about the cultural dance work
learn about Indian culture through love for Bhangra in an organised that they are delivering in schools.
fun and interactive means, Bhangra approach towards creating positive
creates an arena where children feel change. The workshops I offer Info
safe and comfortable to ask questions still amplify Bhangra’s roots of [email protected]
and share views and opinions. All of celebration, excitement and colour www.nowdance.co.uk
www.communitydance.org.uk | 23