Bhangra |left
Bhangra is the most popular folk dance from Punjab, originating in the
Sialkot area of
Punjab,
Pakistan. It is especially associated with the vernal
Vaisakhi festival. Bhangra was mainly done by
Punjabi farmers during the harvesting season. It was mainly performed while farmers did agricultural chores. As they did each farming activity they would perform bhangra moves on the spot. This allowed them to finish their job in a pleasurable way. After harvesting their wheat crops during the
Vaisakhi season, people used to attend cultural festivals while dancing bhangra. While the form of giddha was not seriously affected by
Partition of India, 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. 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.
Malwai Giddha Malwai Giddha is a male folk dance from the
Malwa region of Punjab. The dance was originally performed by elderly men. The dance originated in the Malwa area of the Punjab region and is associated with the districts of
Muktsar, Bathinda, Faridkot, Sangrur, Ferozpur, Mansa and Patiala. It is mainly performed on weddings and sports to celebrate victory. It can be performed in pairs or in groups on tunes of dhol and shenayi. 'Luddi hay jamalo' was a famous song sung by
Noor Jehan in 1980s and often sung at weddings by women.
Sammi Sammi is a traditional dance form originating from the tribal belt of
Punjab, particularly in the
Sandalbar area and
Pothohar region of
Pakistani Punjab. Men usually perform the Sammi dance during conventional Punjabi parties. It is also performed by women, who dress in bright colourful kurtas and lehengas, often accompanied with a silver hair accessory. Commonly, it has a slow flow and people dance in a circle. While forming a ring, dancers swing their hands from the side and bring them to the front. is also popular in the Sandalbar areas of Punjab. It is a slower and more rhythmic form. The word "Jhumar" comes from
Jhum/Jhoom, which means Swaying. Jhumar is performed at the wedding ceremonies usually. The dance is also performed in circle, to the tune of emotional songs. It is generally popular in young girls and performed in pairs. A variety of songs are used with clapping, usually with two females standing face to face close to each other and holding the hands crossing arms with the bodies inclined back; in this position the arms are stretched to the maximum and hands interlock firmly. The other weapon used is a shield, natively known as . The gatka is now popular as a sport or
sword dance performance art and is often shown during
Sikh festivals. Gatka's theory and techniques were taught by the
Sikh gurus, and employed in the Sikh wars and has been thoroughly battle tested. ==References==