Teeyan dance is a popular dance practiced in the Punjab state of India. This dance is performed during the Teeyan festival. The Teeyan festival is also called as women"s dance festival as it revolves around the women. The word "Teeyan" reflects the celebration of flourishing and blissful married life.
The newly married women visit their parental house to celebrate this festival and welcome the rainy season for good. The married women receive gifts and cloths on this occasion from their parents.
Teeyan Festival
Teeyan is the Punjabi name of the festival of Teej which is celebrated in Punjab and Haryana. Teeyan festival revolves around girls and married women. This festival is celebrated in the month of Shravan during the rainy season. In the earlier days, it was traditional for women to spend the whole month of Shravan with their parents.
Teeyan festival"s main attraction is Giddha dance which the women perform merrily. They would continue their dance till the last day of the festival. The closing dance of the festival is called as `bhallho`. This tradition of women getting together in villages has now become extinct.
Performance of Teeyan Dance
The dance usually takes place, when the women gather along the bank of any river or pond under big shady trees. Swings are thrown over the branches, where the singing, swinging and dancing of the women folk starts.
On this day, when the married daughters come to their parent"s house their brothers fix the swings for them. As they swing, they share their anxieties with each other reflecting through lyrics of songs. The festival continues till the 3rd lunar day in the month to full moon and there is a gala function celebrated on the concluding day.
Costume of Teeyan Dance
There is no particular dress code for the performance of Teeyan dance. The women wear their best dresses and adorn themselves with beautiful ornaments and gather during these festivals like the fairies.
Popularity of Teeyan Dance
Since, dances and songs are the most significant part of Teeyan festival, many colleges and schools of Punjab too arrange cultural programs and competitions to celebrate "Teeyan". Through this festival, the students get to showcase their dancing skills. Besides Punjab and Haryana, the Teeyan festival is also celebrated in Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Odhisa.
