Punjabi Women celebrate their culture by performing Mujra Dance

Mujra dancing is a popular dance form which has a long and colourful history. The dance combines elements of the classic Indian dance Kathak with native music genres like Thumri and Ghazal.

It originated during Mughal ruling in the South Asian subcontinent in places like Jaipur where it was a family art, passed down generations. In Lahore’s Heera Mandi, Pakistan’s oldest red light district, the performance was a mix between art and exotic dance.

Performers were often serving as courtesans amongst Mughal royalty or wealthy patrons.It is in Pakistan where the dance has continued to exist and stay popular.

Pakistani Mujra culture is a sub-culture which revolves around dancing performed to popular Pakistani Mujra songs. In the modern day, Mujra dancers perform at events such as weddings, bachelor parties, in theater and on-stage.