Bhangra:
Bhangra is a style of music and dance that originated in northern India, specifically Punjab. This form of dance is commonly seen among Sikhs, although today it has widely received both in India and the rest of the world. Bhangra is usually seen in bollywood films and some pop music, soundtracks, and dance competitions. Bhangra may have originated in the 1400's or even earlier. The men are usually seen wearing a turbin, lungi (long cloth wrapped around the waist), and kurta (long traditional Indian top). The women are usually seen wearing a salvar kameez which is a long colorful top with a loose bottom piece. This outfit is also accompanied by a dhupatta-a long colorful scarf wrapped around the neck.
Many popular bhangra song artists include Surjit Bindrakhia, Surinder Shinda, Manmohan Warris, AS Kang, and others. Western artists include Sangeet Group of Calafornia, Jazzy Bains, and Bhinda Jatt. English bands and sigers include DCS, Malkit Singh, B21, Safri Boyz, and Dippa. Bhangra is becoming very popular worldwide and has also been the feature presentation in many weddings, receptions, and parties. At competitions in many of the cities in the US, Bhangra is a main feature.
In a bollywood movie this form of dancing is typically seen among Punjabi families, grand weddings, colorful festivals, and other reunions. It has also begun to infiltrate the western film and music industry as some parts of it have been heard at sweet sixteens, and other kinds of parties.
An example of a movie where bhangra was present is Bend It Like Beckham.
LEFT: A movie that incorperates Bhangra style dancing
MIDDLE: The movie "Bend It Like Beckham" shows Bhangra dancing in it
RIGHT: An example of Bhangra in Bollywood
Garba
Garba is another form of folk dance. This style of dancing also originated in Northern India, specificially Gujurat. It is customarily performed by women. The dance is usually done in wide circles with "dhandia's" or colorfully decorate sticks used to create a rhythmic sound. The name Garba originated from the Sanskrit word "Garba Deep". Many traditional garbas take place around a central lit lamp, or an image of Amba (a goddess). People clap rythmically while dancing in a circle around the deity. The dancers gracefully bend sideways and sweep their arms up and down, left and right, and then clap.
Modern Garba is usually performed using the dhandias. This sticks are beaten to the fast paced garba music. The dhandia and the dancer's outfit usually match. The dhandias are thick wooden rods covered in fabric and colorful ribbons. Some dancers tie ribbons to the bottom of the dhandia's to add to their beauty. In the area where the garba is performed, there is usually rangoli decorations. Rangoli is a design created from sand and is very popular during Diwali (the festival of lights). The female dancers are usually seen wearing a sari, while men wear kurtas and turbins. Pictures of these can be seen in the costumes section.
ABOVE: An Example of Folk Dancing
References
http://bollywoodfoodclub.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/hddcs.jpg
http://images.exoticindiaart.com/batik/garba__folk_dance_of_gujarat_bf76.jpg
http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/2009/02/19/garba/
http://gujaratonline.com/music/garbo.htm
http://www.punjabonline.com/servlet/entertain.entertain?Action=Intro
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/63998/bhangra