Bhangra Moves: From Ludhiana to London and Beyond
Author: Anjali Gera Roy
This book seeks to understand the difference between the present globalization-inspired wave of the Bhangra dance in relation to its traditional form. In the book the author archives the tangled genealogy of this folk dance and its subsequent modifications as it winged its way across cultures and continents. By looking at Bhangra's flows to and from India, the book reviews the relationship between culture, space and identity. It explores the uses and costs of visibility provided by global networks to marginalized groups. The book discusses whether and if traditional Bhangra practitioners benefit from global collaborations and exposure and whether they can influence the circulation of culture in the global village. Finally, the book considers whether cultural practices can alter hierarchies and power structures in the real world.