giddha

Giddha is a traditional female folk dance from the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent. It is one of the main Punjabi dances and is regarded as the feminine counterpart to bhangra. Performed by groups of women and girls, giddha typically features a lead dancer who performs stylized steps while the chorus echoes with singing and clapping.

The core of giddha is the boliyan, a sequence of rhyming couplets that tell stories, joke, or comment on social life. The dancers respond to the boliyan with coordinated hand gestures, rhythmic footwork, and expressive movements. The performance is often theatrical, with playful dialogues and brief skits integrated into the song, creating a lively, communal atmosphere.

The music is provided by percussion from the dholki or tapp, with a tempo that invites call-and-response and synchronized group movement. Costumes are bright and festive: women wear ghagra-choli or salwar-kameez with a dupatta, often richly embroidered, sometimes featuring phulkari work, and complemented by traditional jewelry.

Giddha is traditionally performed at weddings, family celebrations, harvest festivals such as Vaisakhi, and cultural programs. It is also popular in the Punjabi diaspora, where communities preserve and adapt the tradition in new contexts. Its exact origins are not precisely documented, but it developed in rural Punjab as a women’s performance tradition alongside bhangra. Today giddha remains a staple of Punjabi folk culture and has gained international exposure through stage performances and media.