Sammi (dance)

Contents

About the Folk dance

Sammi (Gurmukhi: ਸੱਮੀ, Shahmukhi: سمّی) is a traditional dance form originating from the tribal communities of Punjab. It is the dance of Punjabi women. The dance is popular in the Sandalbar area of Punjab (now in Pakistan). The dance is performed by women of Baazigar, Rai, Lobana and Sansi tribes.

Legend has it that this dance was originally performed by Princess Sammi of Marwad to show excessive emotion at her separation from Rajkumar Suchkumar of Rajasthan.[1]

Costume

The dancers are dressed in bright coloured kurtas and full flowing skirts called lehengas. A peculiar silver hair ornament is associated with this dance.

Performence

Like the Giddha it is danced in a circle. The dancers stand in a ring and swing their hands bringing them up from the sides, right in front. The refrain of the most popular Sammi song is "Sammi Meri wan....". The phrase "Meriwan" is a slightly changed version of Marwan. ln Bikaner, the above mentioned heroine Sammi is named Marwan[2]

References

  1. ^ S. Gajrani, History, Religion and Culture of India, Gyan Publishing House, 2004, ISBN 9788182050600, http://books.google.com/books?id=E5J6bO8qQ7YC, "...Sammi is a popular dance of Sandal Bar. This is a women's dance and like the Giddha it is danced in a circle. The dancers stand in a ring and... dance is named after Sammi, who was madly in love..." 
  2. ^ Gurcharan Singh, Studies in Punjab history & culture, Enkay Publishers, 1990, ISBN 9788185148298, http://books.google.com/books?id=5BBDAAAAYAAJ, "... Songs that accompany this Sammi dance have the refrain 'Mer- iwan'..." 

See also