Punjab, the hot seat of ancient Indian culture is the home of exuberant and vivacious people who love to celebrate. No celebration or festival is ever complete without an energetic bout of music and dance. Luddi is one such local folk dance that is enjoyed by the young and old alike.
Luddi is a traditional Punjabi folk dance that celebrates the people’s triumphs. The dancers exhibit special head movements and cover their face with one hand and place the other on their partner’s back and dance with sinuous, serpentine movements. The dancers dance in sync with the drummer placed in the center of the group.
A prominent dance performed by the Punjabi men, Luddi dancers celebrate victory and joy. Their apparels are simple comprising of a loose kurta worn with a loincloth. On certain occasions, an added turban completes the ensemble. The dances mimic the slow and slithery movements of a snake’s head as they celebrate their triumphs and tribulations.
This highly popular dance form attracts throngs of admirers while it is being performed who keep moving forward along with the dancers in their unabated excitement. This dance is predominant in the areas surrounding the banks of the Sutlej in Pakistan and saw its inception from the days when the Punjabi Sardars rescued the Indian women folk who ha been held captive in the Middle East.
This beautiful dance, a hallmark of Punjab’s victories and triumphs has also been infused with traces of Bhangra to add to its global appeal.
