- Year 10
- Edexcel
The origins of bhangra
I can explain the origins of bhangra and can recreate a typical chaal pattern.
Copyrighted materials: to view and download resources from this lesson, you’ll need to be in the UK and
- Year 10
- Edexcel
The origins of bhangra
I can explain the origins of bhangra and can recreate a typical chaal pattern.
Copyrighted materials: to view and download resources from this lesson, you’ll need to be in the UK and
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.
These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Bhangra is a traditional Punjabi dance and form of music that has its roots in farming communities of the Punjab.
- In the 20th century it evolved into a new style of music, which has distinct characteristics.
- One distinct feature is a rhythm that is referred to as 'chaal' (meaning 'movement' in Punjabi).
- Chaal is a rhythm in 4/4, with each beat divided in three. It emphasises beat one and four.
- Typically chaal is played on a two-headed drum called a dhol, or sometimes a smaller version called a dholak.
Keywords
Punjabi - The Punjab is an area that includes a part of India and Pakistan. People from here are called Punjabi, and many of them speak the Punjabi language.
Bhangra - Bhangra is a traditional Punjabi folk dance and type of music. In the late-20th century it developed into a new, modern style of music.
Chaal - Chaal (meaning 'movement' in Punjabi) is the name commonly given to a particular distinctive rhythm played on the dhol in modern bhangra.
Dhol - A dhol is the key instrument of bhangra - a two-headed drum that plays the chaal.
Common misconception
The Punjab is part of India.
The Punjab is an area split between modern-day India and Pakistan. It has a distinct history, culture and traditions as a region, one of which is bhangra.
To help you plan your year 10 music lesson on: The origins of bhangra, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 music lesson on: The origins of bhangra, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom.
Explore more key stage 4 music lessons from the Fusions and Bhangra unit, dive into the full secondary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
DAW and/or class instruments
Licence
Sign in to continue
Our content remains 100% free, but to access certain copyrighted materials, you'll need to sign in. This ensures we’re both staying within the rules.
P.S. Signing in also gives you more ways to make the most of Oak like unit downloads!
