GI
Giddha
Giddha () is a popular folk dance of women in the Punjab region. The dance is often considered derived from the ancient dance known as the ring dance and is just as energetic as bhangra; at the same
History#
Giddha is said to be originated from the ancient ring dance which was dominant in Punjab. Giddha displays a traditional mode of performing Punjabi femininity, as seen through dress, choreography, . Since the Partition of India in 1947 and the division of Punjab into West Punjab (Pakistan) and East Punjab (India), folk dances of Punjab on both sides of the border have been consolidated, staged, and promoted as iconic expressions of Punjabi culture. While the form of giddha was not seriously affected by Partition, Gibb Schreffler writes that it has been classified as the women’s dance counterpart to the male form bhangra, despite that not entirely being the case.
Dress code#
Traditionally, women used to wear salwar kameez and Ghagra in bright colours and jewellery. The attire is completed by dressing the hair in two braids and folk ornaments and wearing a tikka on the forehead.