The Rise of Indian Folk Dance in Europe: Why Bhangra & Garba Are Everywhere Now

There’s a moment I keep seeing across Europe.
A DJ drops a Punjabi dhol beat at a festival, and suddenly the entire room lights up. Strangers lock eyes, shoulders bounce, and before anyone realises what’s happening… they’re doing Bhangra steps they’ve never been taught.

Or it’s Garba season, and a circle begins to form—slow at first, then wider and wider until it feels like one heartbeat moving in rhythm.

It’s in these unexpected, electric moments that you can feel it:
Indian folk dance has arrived in Europe. And it’s not a trend—it’s a movement.

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Why Europe Is Falling in Love With Folk Dance

1. Folk dance feels communal in a way Europe craves.

Folk dance feels communal in a way Europe craves. People are drawn to experiences that feel real, where connection happens naturally. Garba circles, Bhangra lines, group formations… they bring people together without needing words.

2. The music is irresistible.

Gujarati beats. The thunder of Punjabi dhol.
Even if you don’t know the steps, your body knows what to do.
Folk music speaks the universal language of rhythm—simple, honest, infectious.

3. It’s fitness disguised as celebration.

People leave a Bhangra workshop drenched, laughing, asking “Why am I so happy and so exhausted?”
Because folk dance was never meant for the stage first.
It was meant for real people with real lives celebrating real moments.

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My Journey With Folk Dance

I didn’t learn folk casually.
I completed a folk dance diploma and have been teaching styles like Bhangra, Garba, and Rajasthani folk for many years.
Growing up in India, folk wasn’t a “special class.”
It was life.
Festivals, neighbourhood gatherings, school events… these rhythms raised me.
That lived experience shapes how I teach at ABC a Bollywood Company:
authentic technique, musical understanding, and a sense of community in every session.

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How Folk Dance Is Showing Up Across Europe

• Festivals across Europe now invite Bhangra and Garba performances.

• Workshops dedicated to folk styles draw students from different countries.

• Dancers are seeking authentic folk rather than just film-style Bollywood.

• The demand is genuine—and growing rapidly.

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Special Announcement: Join Our Winter Intensive

If you’re ready to dive deep and connect with the real heart of Indian folk dance, join us in Ghent for the Indian Dance Winter Intensive 2026 from 30 January to 1 February 2026, at Shoonya Dance Centre (Stapelplein 41, Gent). Shoonya Dance Centre
Here’s what’s on the plan:

• 30 Jan (Fri) 18:30–21:30 → Bhangra & Jhoomar Intensive – High-energy folk from Punjab. Shoonya Dance Centre

• 31 Jan (Sat) 10:00–13:00 → Semi-Classical Intensive – Storytelling through Kathak-inspired movement. Shoonya Dance Centre

• 31 Jan (Sat) 14:00–16:00 → Lavani Intensive – Vibrant folk dance from Maharashtra. Shoonya Dance Centre

• 1 Feb (Sun) 10:00–12:00 → Ghoomar Intensive – Traditional Rajasthani dance with elegant spins. Shoonya Dance Centre

• 1 Feb (Sun) 13:00–15:00 → Chari Intensive – Folk from Rajasthan featuring graceful balancing of pots. Shoonya Dance Centre
  Beginners and experienced dancers welcome. Spots are limited. Register soon!

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How You Can Start Your Folk Dance Journey

• Attend a beginner-friendly Bhangra or Garba workshop.

• Wear something comfortable (let your energy move).

• Learn from trained folk instructors (technique shapes freedom).

• Explore local festivals celebrating Indian culture.

• Consider joining our Winter Intensive in Ghent for a full immersion.

One Question for You

Which folk style calls you more: Bhangra or Garba?
And why does it tug at you?

Tell me—your answer might just be the spark for your next dance journey.