Giddha

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Giddha (Punjabi: ਗਿੱਧਾ, giddhā) is a popular folk dance of women in Punjab region of India and Pakistan. The dance is often considered derived from the ancient dance known as the ring dance and is just as energetic as Bhangra and at the same time it is considered to be able to effectively manages to creatively display feminine grace, elegance and elasticity.

Girls or women generally form a circle to start performing giddha. All of them clap their hands and sing small couplets (Punjabi: ਬੋਲੀਆਂ, bōlīāṁ) or boliyan or bolis. Then, two or three of them come to the centre and perform the dance. These boliyan, or two-line poems known as couplets, cover a variety of themes such as the excesses committed by husbands and mothers-in-law. The Punjabi salwar kameez tunic top and loose fitting pants worn by women in India and Pakistan) or lengha (colourful skirt) in bright and rich colours are typically worn by women in this dance. Normally, no musical instruments are accompanied with giddha, except sometimes a dholak (small two headed drum) and provides the rhythm for the dance. Women clap and/or clang spoons to keep the rhythm. The distinctive hand-claps of the dancers is a prominent feature of this art-form.

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.