Introduction
Giddha is a popular folk dance of Punjab that is performed only by the ladies. This dance is the female counterpart of the Bhangra, and has the same tempo of high-spirited revelry. Giddha or Gidha is performed during festive or social occasions, especially during the sowing and reaping of harvest. The roots are deep rooted in Punjab’s culture and are believed to be inspired from the ancient ring dance which is marked by graceful movements and high energy. Bright clothes, rhythmic clapping and traditional folk songs blend in to transform the Giddha dance into a spontaneous display of joy.
Origin and history
The legend has it that Giddha originated from the ancient ring dance that was quite dominant in Punjab. The energy levels in Giddha are the same as that in Bhangra which is performed by men in Punjab. Giddha is performed only by the ladies and hence the viewers get to watch the feminine grace that the female dancers bring to the performance. The ring dance from which Giddha has taken inspiration was usually performed at social occasions by the women and Giddha too is quite popular at most joyous occasions held in Punjab.
Innovations
There are no notable innovations that have taken place in the steps or performance of Giddha dance. It began as a joyful dance and it still is known as a lively, energetic dance form which is performed with grace and elegance by charming Punjabi women.
Global influence
The popularity of Giddha is not restricted to Punjab or even India as it has spread its glory across the globe. Places such as London, Edmonton, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Vancouver are definitely not alien to this folk dance and this dance is also very popular in Pakistan.
Interesting facts and comparisons
- Mimicry is quite popular when it comes to Giddha and this dance depicts the scenes from the routine life of village women from Punjab.
- The Giddha songs are popularly addressed as bolis and these bolis are sung by the performers of the dance.
- Giddha is generally performed in complete harmony and it is known for its energetic and vigorous nature.
No comments:
Post a Comment