Bruin Bhangra Turns 25: A Legacy of Dance, Culture, Unbreakable Bonds

Photo: The 2024 UCLA Bruin Bhangra team

By BHARTTI KUMAR
LOS ANGELES, CA — It started with a spark—a group of UCLA students, a passion for Bhangra, and a belief that Punjabi culture deserved the biggest stage possible. Twenty-five years later, that spark has become a roaring fire. Bruin Bhangra isn’t just a competition; it’s a movement, a cultural phenomenon, and a legacy that has changed lives.

Back in 1999, UCLA students Lalit Kundani, Vaninder (Vini) Singh Chhabra, and Shaan Sethi had an idea. They went to the school, pitched an event for a dance most had never even heard of, and somehow secured the university’s biggest auditorium—for free.

“We lit a fire at UCLA, fueled it with passion, culture, and pride. We called it Bruin Bhangra. Our nani’s and dadi’s would be so proud of us,” Kundani reminisced.

When the inaugural event finally took place on May 1, 1999, it was an explosion of energy. Five intercollegiate teams took the stage, and before a single ‘dhol’ beat dropped, the crowd was so wild that the police had to intervene. The energy was electric, the enthusiasm unstoppable—and just like that, Bruin Bhangra was born.

More Than Just a Dance Competition

From its humble beginnings with zero funding, Bruin Bhangra has evolved into a registered nonprofit, raising over $50,000 for charities like Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. But its impact can’t be measured just in numbers. It has shaped careers, forged friendships, and even sparked marriages.

Just ask Kundani. “We were dance partners, and today we’re life partners with two kids!” he said, recalling how he met his wife on the Bhangra team at UCLA. And now, Bruin Bhangra is in the hands of students who were born after its founding. “It’s surreal,” he admitted.

So what’s the secret sauce that has kept Bruin Bhangra alive and thriving? “A genuine love for the culture and an unwavering dedication to making Bhangra a respected and serious dance form,” Kundani said. “Our alumni network is incredibly strong—we help sponsor and support the show every year. My role now is to work behind the scenes, negotiating contracts, guiding student leaders, and ensuring the legacy continues for another 25 years.”

The Ultimate Bhangra Weekend

After a two-year break due to COVID-19, Bruin Bhangra is making a grand comeback. The milestone 25th-anniversary event is set for May 25 in Long Beach, CA, promising an unforgettable night. Seven elite teams—some traveling from as far as Canada and Florida—will bring their best moves to the stage. And in a special tribute, past Bruin Bhangra champions will return to showcase why this competition remains legendary.

And the lineup? Unreal. Punjabi music icons Malkit Singh and Jassi Sidhu will set the stage on fire, while Channi Nattan and Inderpal Moga will keep the energy going at the after-party. And if history is any indication, the audience can get ready to dance on their chairs.

To top it all off, a documentary chronicling the rise of Bruin Bhangra—from a scrappy student-run event to a national cultural powerhouse—is set to release later this year.

Visit www.bruinbhangra.com for details.