Punjab
FOLK DANCES
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| Bhangra |
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Bhangra celebrates the harvest
and is associated with the festival of Baisakhi
(April 13) when the sight of tall heaps of golden
wheat fill the farmer’s heart with joy. To
the accompaniment of large drums called dhols, he
and his fellow villagers circle round and round
in a leaping, laughing caper. It’s a dance
that cuts across all divisions of class and education.
At marriages, parties, or celebrations of any sort,
it is quite common for men to break out in Bhangra.
There are few sights more cheering than that of
a dignified elder in three-piece suit getting up
to join the young fellows for a moment of bhangra
revelry.
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| Gidda |
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| Women
have a different but no less exuberant dance called
gidda. 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. Aside from the
drums, the rhythm of this dance is set by the distinctive
hand-claps of the dancers. |
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Jhumar
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This dance has originally
come from Sandalbar (now in Pakistan), but is now
very much a part of Punjab folk heritage. It is
a dance of graceful gait, based on specific Jhumar
rhythm. Dancers circle around the drummer, and keep
up a soft, sibilant chorus as they dance.
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Luddi
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Luddi is a victory-dance
recognisable by the swaying movements of the head.
Its costume is a simple loose shirt. The performers
place one hand at the back and the other before
the face; the body movement is sinuous, snake-like.
This is also danced with the drummer in the centre.
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Julli
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This dance associated with
Muslim holymen called pirs and is generally danced
in their hermitages (khangahs). This dance is mostly
performed in sitting posture, sometimes it is also
danced around the grave of a preceptor. A single
dancer can also perform this dance. Normally the
dancer wears black.
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Dankara
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Also called the gaatka dance,
this is a dance of celebration. Two men, each holding
colourful staves, dance round each other and tap
their sticks together in rhythm with the drums.
This dance is often part of marriage celebrations.
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Dhamal
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Similar to bhangra and is
danced by men in a circle.
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Sammi
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Traditionally by women of
the Sandalbar region, now in Pakistan. The dancers
are dressed in bright coloured kurtas and full flowing
skirts called lehengas. A peculiar silver hair ornament
is associated with this dance.
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Jaago
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Literally, "wake up!"
When there’s a marriage in the house, girls
dance through the village streets carrying a pot
(gaggar) decorated with lightened candles and singing
jaagu songs. The theme of song in the ‘Jago’
is social and typically a bit of teasing (often
aimed at elders) goes with the song.
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Kikli
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This dance is performed by
women in pairs. They cross their arms, hold each
other’s hands and whirl around singing folk
songs. Sometimes four girls join hands to perform
this dance.
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Gatka |
Martial
art of Nihang Singhs |
