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[[Image:SikhDancers1.gif|thumb|250px|right|Giddha dancer (photo by Captain Suresh, Flickz)]]
[[Image:Giddha1.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Giddha dancers displaying their art.]]


'''Giddha''' is a popular folk dance of women in [[Punjab]] and exhibits teasing, fun and exuberance of Punjabi life. The dance is derived from the ancient ring dance and is just as energetic as [[Bhangra]] and at the same time it manages to creatively display feminine grace, elegance and elasticity. Giddha is essentially danced in circles. Girls form rings and one of the dancers sit in the centre of this ring with a [[dholki]] (drum). 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 - bolis can also cover themes from nature to excesses committed by the husband and his relatives, some talk about love affairs to the loneliness of a bride separated from her groom. No musical instruments except perhaps a [[dholak]]  accompanies Giddha and provides the rhythm for the dance.  The distinctive hand-claps of the dancers is a prominent feature of this art-form. Giddha is a very vigorous folk dance and like other such dances of Northern India is taxing on the legs of the artists.  
'''Giddha''' is a popular folk dance of women in [[Punjab]] and exhibits teasing, fun and exuberance of Punjabi life. The dance is derived from the ancient ring dance and is just as energetic as [[Bhangra]] and at the same time it manages to creatively display feminine grace, elegance and elasticity. Giddha is essentially danced in circles. Girls form rings and one of the dancers sit in the centre of this ring with a [[dholki]] (drum). 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 - bolis can also cover themes from nature to excesses committed by the husband and his relatives, some talk about love affairs to the loneliness of a bride separated from her groom. No musical instruments except perhaps a [[dholak]]  accompanies Giddha and provides the rhythm for the dance.  The distinctive hand-claps of the dancers is a prominent feature of this art-form. Giddha is a very vigorous folk dance and like other such dances of Northern India is taxing on the legs of the artists.  
[[Image:SikhDancers1.gif|thumb|150px|right|<small>Giddha dancer (photo by Captain Suresh, Flickz)</small>]]


Most commonly girls dance in twos. One participant generally sings the boli and when the last but one line is reached, the tempo of the song rises and all start dancing together. In this manner bolis alternate with the dance sequence which continue for a considerable period of time. Gidda dance is stylistically simple. The Punjabi salwar kameez or lehnga, rich in color and decoration is worn. Jingle of the bells, thumping of the feet, beat of the drum and the splendour of [[Punjabi]] women in their striking traditional dress  creates an enchanting atmosphere. Giddha is very popular as it is not performed according to any rigid set pieces or sequences; it is free-style, spontaneous and creative. Harmony is the essence in Giddha movements that are inclusive of swinging and twisting the body, shaking of the shoulders, bending to a double and clapping.  
Most commonly girls dance in twos. One participant generally sings the boli and when the last but one line is reached, the tempo of the song rises and all start dancing together. In this manner bolis alternate with the dance sequence which continue for a considerable period of time. Gidda dance is stylistically simple. The Punjabi salwar kameez or lehnga, rich in color and decoration is worn. Jingle of the bells, thumping of the feet, beat of the drum and the splendour of [[Punjabi]] women in their striking traditional dress  creates an enchanting atmosphere. Giddha is very popular as it is not performed according to any rigid set pieces or sequences; it is free-style, spontaneous and creative. Harmony is the essence in Giddha movements that are inclusive of swinging and twisting the body, shaking of the shoulders, bending to a double and clapping.  

Revision as of 17:56, 18 November 2006

Giddha dancers displaying their art.

Giddha is a popular folk dance of women in Punjab and exhibits teasing, fun and exuberance of Punjabi life. The dance is derived from the ancient ring dance and is just as energetic as Bhangra and at the same time it manages to creatively display feminine grace, elegance and elasticity. Giddha is essentially danced in circles. Girls form rings and one of the dancers sit in the centre of this ring with a dholki (drum). 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 - bolis can also cover themes from nature to excesses committed by the husband and his relatives, some talk about love affairs to the loneliness of a bride separated from her groom. No musical instruments except perhaps a dholak accompanies Giddha and provides the rhythm for the dance. The distinctive hand-claps of the dancers is a prominent feature of this art-form. Giddha is a very vigorous folk dance and like other such dances of Northern India is taxing on the legs of the artists.

Giddha dancer (photo by Captain Suresh, Flickz)

Most commonly girls dance in twos. One participant generally sings the boli and when the last but one line is reached, the tempo of the song rises and all start dancing together. In this manner bolis alternate with the dance sequence which continue for a considerable period of time. Gidda dance is stylistically simple. The Punjabi salwar kameez or lehnga, rich in color and decoration is worn. Jingle of the bells, thumping of the feet, beat of the drum and the splendour of Punjabi women in their striking traditional dress creates an enchanting atmosphere. Giddha is very popular as it is not performed according to any rigid set pieces or sequences; it is free-style, spontaneous and creative. Harmony is the essence in Giddha movements that are inclusive of swinging and twisting the body, shaking of the shoulders, bending to a double and clapping.

Mimicry is also very popular in Giddha. One girl may play the aged bridegroom and another his young bride; or one may play a quarrel-some sister-in-law and another a humble bride. In this way Giddha provides for all the best forum for venting of one's emotions. Giddha dance incorporate village life scenes of woman spinning cotton, fetching water from the well, grinding, etc. This is accompanied with appropriate boli and songs.

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