Bhangra came from the region of Punjab in Northern India and Pakistan. Punjab, or the land of Five Rivers, has had a large history of invasions by many different groups. Today, Punjab is mainly made up of Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims and the main language there is Punjabi. The coming of the British later produced many heroic freedom fighters. Around the 14th or 15th Century, Punjabi wheat farmers danced and sang songs about village life to help pass the time while working in the fields. When the wheat crop is nearing ripening, it is time of rejoicing and merry making and through Bhangra their emotions find uninhibited and spontaneous expression of genuine happiness. Earlier there was a season for Bhangra but nowadays with its popularity all over the world no function or festival is considered complete without Bhangra. Bhangra has developed as a combination of dances from different parts of the Punjab region. The term "Bhangra" now refers to several kinds of dances and arts. Bhangra lyrics, always sung in the Punjabi language, generally cover social issues such as love, relationships, alcohol, dancing, and marriage. Additionally, there are countless Bhangra songs devoted to Punjabi pride themes and Punjabi heroes. The lyrics are tributes to the rich cultural traditions of the Punjabis. Less serious topics include beautiful ladies with their colorful duppattas, and dancing and drinking in the fields of the Punjab.

Rajasthan is situated in the North Western part of India and shares geographical boundaries with Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat in India. The Ghoomar is mainly a community dance of the Rajputs or the warrior peoples of Rajasthan, performed by the women of the house and traditionally out of bounds for men It uses simple, swaying movements (ghoomna) to convey the spirit of any auspicious occasion. There is, however, an amazing grace as the skirts flare slowly while the women twirl in circles, their faces covered by the veil. Traditionally, all women, whether old or young, participate in the dance, which can continue for hours into the night. A new bride too, on being welcomed to the home of her husband, is expected to dance the Ghoomar as one of the rituals of the new marriage.

Agricultural communities living in villages form major portions of the Indian demographic. These communities are the creators of many Indian folk dances through their use of agricultural tools and techniques. One particular festival that is performed throughout India is Navratri. Navratri, the festival of nine nights, is celebrated to pay reverence to the many forms of female goddesses. The festival is the celebration of the eternal truth that truth prevails, which is called dharma or sat. Raas is a dance that is performed during the festival festivities. Raas is a dance form said to have been performed by the God Krishna with his gopis (milkmaids), maidens of the countryside. This first performance of the Raas is special because while dancing, each gopi is said to have felt like she had her own Krishna (though there was only one Krishna). This dance between Gopi and Krishna was the Raas Leela (the Leela of Fulfilling Nectar). This is why the Raas dance is a coed dance that is performed to an amorous song. Ideally, Raas was two circles formed by men and women who move in clockwise and counterclockwise directions with two sticks called dandiyas held in their hands. The men and women hit the dandiyas together to create a beat that the dance moves by. When Krishna first performed his dance, he duplicated himself many times so that each gopi was dancing with Krishna, even when partners were switched. After this performance, Raas is regarded as a dance of joy, love, and happiness.