1. FOLK DANCES OF PUNJAB
BY:- KAVITA

2. Introduction
Punjabi dances are an array of folk and religious dancesof the punjabi peoples indigenous to the Punjab region, straddling the border of India and Pakistan.. The style of Punjabi dances ranges from very high energy to slow and reserved, and there are specific styles for men and women. Some of the dances are secular while others are presented in religious contexts.
The dances are typically performed at times of celebration, such as.Harvest (vishaki), weddings, Melas (Festivals) like Lohri, Jashan-e-Baharan (Spring Festival) etc., at which everyone is encouraged to dance .
Married Punjabi couples usually dance together. The husband dances in the style of male Punjabi dances, frequently with arms raised, and the wife dances in the style of female Punjabi dances.

3. Common Punjabi Folk Dances for "Females“
Sammi
Giddha
Jaago
Kikli
Luddi

4. Common Punjabi Folk Dances for Males
Bhangra
Malwai Giddha
Jhumar
Luddi
Jalli
Mirza
Sial Koti
Jugni
Khichan
Dhamal
Dankara
Khatka (Sword Dance)

5. Common Punjabi Folk Dances for Males and Females
Bhangra
Karthi
Jindua
Dandass

6. Bhangra
ORIGIN
The origins of traditional Bhangra are speculative. According to Dhillon (1998), Bhangra is related to the Punjabi dance 'bagaa' which is a martial dance of Punjab.
The folk dance of Majha originated in Sialkotand took root in Gujranwalla, Sheikhupur, Gujrat(districts in Punjab, Pakistan) and Gurdaspur(district in Punjab, India).
PERFORMED
Traditional Bhangra is performed in a circle and is performed using traditional dance steps.
Traditional Bhangra is now also performed on occasions other than during the harvest season and is popular in Pakistan.

7. BACKGROUND MUSIC AND INSTRUMENTS
Folk music of the Punjab is the traditional music of Punjab produced using the traditional musical instruments like Tumbi, Algoze, Dhadd, Sarangi, Chimta and more. 
Folk music is often perceived as the traditional music of Punjab and typically has communal authorship.
The folk dhadi genre emphasizes stories of heroism and love stories, as exemplified by the numerous ballads of the legendary romantic tales of Hir-Ranjha and Sahiba-Mirza.
The lyrical content of many of these wedding songs have the paternal home depicted as a source of love and nurture, while the in-laws home is a source of tyranny and torture.

8. COSTUME Turla or Torla (fan like adornment on the turban)
Pag (turban, a sign of pride/honor in Punjab): This is tied different to the traditional type of turban that you can see Sikh's wearing in the street. The turban has to be tied before each show, and is not ready made like a hat.
Kaintha (necklace), some men also wear earrings
Kurta - Similar to a silk shirt, with about 4 buttons, very loose with embroidered patterns.
Lungi or Chadar - This is a loose loincloth tied around the dancer’s waist. Again it would be decorated.
Jugi: A waistcoat, with no buttons.
Rammal: These are essentially scarves worn on the fingers. They look very elegant and effective when the hands move during the course of bhangra performance.

9. GIDDHA
Introduction
Giddha (Punjabi: گدها, giddhā) is a popular folk dance of women in Punjab region of India and Pakistan.
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 time it manages to creatively display feminine grace, elegance and flexibility.
Women perform this dance mainly at festive or social occasions.

10. PERFORMED
The dance is followed by rhythmic clapping and a typical traditional folk song is sung by the aged ladies in the background.
There is a spontaneous display of joy whenever the performance takes place.

11. BACKGROUND MUSIC AND INSTRUMENTS
The lyrical content of many of these wedding songs have the paternal home depicted as a source of love and nurture, while the in-laws home is a source of tyranny and torture.
Folk music continues to be used as a modern tool and a way of locating identification.
In giddha using the traditional musical instruments like dholki and more.

12.  COSTUME
Dupatta (chunni or scarf): This is heavily embroidered in a gidda costume.
Kameez (shirt)
Salwaar (baggy pants)
Tikka (jewellery on the forehead)
Jhumka (long dangling earrings)
Paranda (braid tassle)
Suggi-Phul (worn on head)
Raani-Haar (a long necklace made of solid gold)
Haar-Hamela (gem-studded golden necklace)
Baazu-Band (worn around upper-arm)
Pazaibs (anklets)