Punjab Folk Dance - Giddha

Giddha is Punjabi’s folk dance for women. Like Bhangra it originates from the region of Punjab which is a Northern state in India The dancers enact verses called bolis, which represent folk poetry at its best. The subject matter of these bolis is wide ranging indeed – everything from arguments with the sister-in-law to political affairs figure in these lively songs. Aside from the drums, the rhythm of this dance is set by the distinctive hand-claps of the dancers Giddha is a very vigorous folk dance and like other such dances it is very much an affair of the legs. So quick is the movement of the feet in its faster parts that it is difficult for the spectator even to wink till the tempo falls again. The embroidered -duppattas- and heavy jewelry of the participants whose number is unrestricted further exaggerate the movements. The vitality of Bhangra can also be seen in the Giddha dance of the women of Punjab. This dance translates into gestures, bolian-verses of different length satirizing politics, the excesses committed by husbands, their sisters and mothers, loneliness of a young bride separated from her husband, evils of society or expressing guileless deep love.

The dance is derived from the ancient ring dance. One of the girls plays on the drum or -dholki- while others form a circle. Some times even the dholki is dispensed with. While moving in a circle, the girls raise their hands to the level of their shoulders and clap their hands in unison. Then they strike their palms against those of their neighbors. Rhythm is generally provided by clapping of hands.

Giddha is a very vigorous folk dance and like other such dances it is very much an affair of the legs. So quick is the movement of the feet in its faster parts that it is difficult for the spectator even to wink till the tempo falls again. The embroidered -duppattas- and heavy jewelry of the participants whose number is unrestricted further exaggerate the movements.

During the dance -giddha- songs called -bolis- are also sung. One participant generally sings the -bolis- and when the last but one line is reached, the tempo of the song rises and all start dancing. In this manner -bolis- alternate with the dance sequence which continue for a considerable period of time.

nachan vale di adee na rehndi

gaun vale da moohh

ke boli ma pa me

naach le giddhe vich tu

hare hare ka uthe sap fooka marda

pajo veero veh babu kala majha char da

uhthale chubara vich cha mein banodiyan

uthhale chubara vich cha mein baodiyan

chetha pul gaya lachee da

thamasha dekh chachee da

sus mere ne joordha keetha

sus mere ne jurda keetha kilo da

vavah vavaj thamasha bilo da

main tha juthanee dowain theertha no chaleeya

jeth papee puchaya kale koun chale

time gadee da houn lagye

ke jeth mar ke dohadhra roun lagaye

Mimicry is also very popular in -Giddha-. One girl may play the aged bridegroom and another his young bride; or one may play a quarellsome sister in law and another a humble bride. In this way Giddha provides for all the best forum for giving vent to one-s emotions.

Traditional Giddha Dress (for Women)

Traditional dress for giddha is quite elegant. It adds charm to feminine grace and is comfortable enough to allow women to perform giddha dance with ease. Giddha dress is quite simple and one can find women in rural Punjab donning it everyday. The only difference is that costume for giddha makes use of brighter colors and is complemented with heavy jewellery.

Parts of Giddha Dress

• Dupatta (chunni or scarf): This is heavily embroidered in a giddha costume.
• Kameez (shirt)
• Salwaar (baggy pants)
• Tikka (jewellery on the forehead)
• Jhumka (long dangling earrings)
• Paranda (braid tassle)
• Suggi-Phul (worn on head)
• Raani-Haar (a long necklace made of solid gold)
• Haar-Hamela (gem-studded golden necklace)
• Baazu-Band (worn around upper-arm)
• Pazaibs (anklets)

Though salwar kammez is quite popular amongst women performing giddha dance but some also like to go in for lehanga (long flowing skirt) and choli (blouse). Sometimes women also wear sharraras (ghagara with split pants). In case of salwaar kameez, usually the kameez is of contrasting color from the dupatta and salwaar. In a giddha costume dupatta is not necessarily worn on the head.

Women performing giddha dance also adorn themselves with a lot of jewellery including bangles, tikka, jhumkas, necklace and nath (nose ring). Characteristic feature of gidda dress is a paranda - a tassle that is woven into the braid. Womenfolk love to go in for longer and fancier parandas.