During Lohri occasion, the Punjabi women
revelling joy,
give vent to their suppressed feelings in a male dominated society
through the Giddha. Slogans known as
bolis are sung while
dancing which exhibit the deep human feeling. These
bolis cover
varied themes from nature to excesses committed by the husband and his
relatives, some talk about love affairs to the loneliness of a bride
separated from her groom. The
Punjabi salwar kameez or lehnga,
rich in color and decoration is worn. No musical instruments except
perhaps
a dholak accompanies a Giddha.
The dance is derived from the
ancient ring dance. One of the
girls plays on the
drum or 'dholki' while others form a circle.
Some times even the dholki is dispensed with. While moving in a circle,
the girls raise their hands to the level of their shoulders and clap
their hands in unison. Then they strike their palms against those of
their neighbors. Rhythm is generally provided by clapping of hands.
Giddha is a very
vigorous folk dance and like other such dances
it is very much
an affair of the legs. So quick is the movement
of the feet in its faster parts that it is difficult for the spectator
even to wink till the tempo falls again. The
embroidered 'duppattas'
and heavy jewelry of the participants whose number is unrestricted
further exaggerate the movements.
