Bhangra and Gidha conventionally aren’t much chosen to keep up with fitness. However, in StepOut we like to step our way out of the box. Hence, we even make room for people who want to learn the Bhangra. However, something that might surprise you is that the modern-day Bhangra is not what it used to be originally. It has got mixed with another dance form known as Gidha. This might make you a bit confused, so in this article, we will be taking a look into the difference between these two very similar dance forms.
Bhangra was originally derived from the word ‘Bhang’ or ‘hemp’. It originated in pre-partitioned Punjab and consisted of a mix of both folk dance and song on the beats of the dholak. It grew quite popular in the northwestern area of Punjab during the mid-twentieth century. However, it is quite intriguing that both Muslim and Sikh men used to perform this dance. Bhangra grew out of a ritual of the farmers during the harvest season in April. It is called the Vaisakhi. However, in modern times it has become a major hit in any celebration.
After the partition, different regions came out with their own forms of it. Thus, Bhangra and Gidda have intermixed and given rise to many contemporary genres. But both Bhangra and Gidda share a number of similarities.
Coming to Gidha, it is one of the most popular dance forms next to Bhangra. It is primarily a female-dominated dance but has similar beats and rhythm to Bhangra. Gidda emerged out of festivities and celebrations. But, Gidha has roots still deeper than Bhangra. It is believed that it originated from the ancient ring dance. Bhangra and Gidha both hail from northwestern Punjab and are closely related to the time of harvest or Baisakhi. Both use elegant attire and complex body movements. Both show the rich cultural heritage of their region. Even though they are very close, Bhangra caters to both men and women but Gidha is purely a feminine dance form.
Bhangra and Gidda have evolved since their conception. Bhangra itself has teams and academies around the globe and Gidha too has reached across Indian borders. Bhangra has went on to influence Western Music and modern pop culture. Bhangra and Gidha embody strength, power, and energy. Bhangra and Gidda give us a sense of passion and belongingness.
So have you made up your mind to make yourself fit? You can check out StepOut’s recent blogs, and even stay tuned for such fun and out-of-the-box exercise activities, that are not mundane, and will leave you energized.
