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.
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
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 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
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.