Kikli (Chandigarh)

Understand

Where Kikli (Chandigarh) comes from

Kikli is the women's folk-dance of the Punjabi community of Chandigarh, performed by the women of the community in pairs. The dance is associated with the social and the cultural life of the Punjabi women of the union territory and is performed at the central courtyard of the host. The form is regularly performed at the cultural programmes of the union territory and at the regional Punjabi community festivals of Chandigarh.

How it's practiced

Kikli is performed by women of the Punjabi community of Chandigarh in pairs at the central courtyard of the host or at the open ground of the festival. The women of each pair hold hands, raise their arms above their heads, and spin in unison with their partner. The dance is gentle, with the small spinning rhythm of the Kikli tradition. Music is the dholak and the small cymbals of the regional ensemble. Costume is the colourful Punjabi salwar-kameez with the dupatta. Performances are at the central courtyard and at the cultural programmes of the union territory.