Introduction

Kiklee (also spelled Kikli) is one of the most delightful, innocent, and physically exhilarating folk traditions of Punjab. Belonging to the cherished realm of children's play-dances, Kiklee requires no stage, no musical accompanists, and no formal training. Spontaneously enacted in village courtyards, schoolyards, and along canal banks whenever two young girls join hands, Kiklee transforms kinetic momentum and centrifugal balance into a breathless celebration of childhood sisterhood and familial affection.

Biomechanics and Centrifugal Balance

The execution of Kiklee is a remarkable display of empirical physics and intuitive physical coordination:

  1. *The Interlocking Clasp (Kanghi): Two girls stand face-to-face. Crossing their arms, each partner grasps the other's hands diagonally (right hand to right hand, left hand to left hand). Fingers are intertwined and clenched into an unbreakable cross-finger lock known as the Kanghi* (comb-lock).
  2. Toe Alignment: The dancers plant the balls of their feet firmly together, aligning their big toes into a shared pivot center.
  3. Centrifugal Suspension: Both dancers lean their torsos backward at an acute angle, extending their arms to full tension until their combined body weights form a perfect counter-balanced equilibrium.
  4. The High-Speed Spin: Pushing against the ground on the balls of their feet, the pair begins rotating around their shared central axis. As momentum builds, the spin accelerates into a dizzying blur, their colorful frocks, braids, and dupattas flaring horizontally like spinning tops (Lattu).

The Immortal Folk Rhyme: 'Kikli Kaleer Di'

While spinning at breathtaking velocity, the girls chant the universal Punjabi childhood rhyme:

*"Kikli, kaleer di! (Spin, O spinning top!)

The honorable turban of my brother!

The fine silk veil of my older brother,

Shame upon the haughty son-in-law!

They went to recite prayers, but the women brawled!

Kikli, kaleer di...!"*

Sociological and Psychological Dimensions

  1. Sanctity of the Brother's Turban: The primary opening line (Pag mere veer di) instills within the young Punjabi girl an enduring cultural pride in her brother's social dignity and turbaned honor (Pagri).
  2. Humorous Satire of In-Laws: The playful taunt (Fittey munh jawai da) reflects the traditional Punjabi household humor where daughters-in-law gently mock the excessive vanity of prospective sons-in-law.
  3. Vestibular Training: Kiklee serves as an intuitive gymnastic exercise, conditioning young children to suppress motion sickness, maintain spatial orientation during rapid rotation, and strengthen cardiovascular endurance.

References

  1. Sohinder Singh Wanjara Bedi (1979), Folklore Encyclopaedia of Punjab, New Delhi: National Book Shop.
  2. Nahar Singh (1988), Punjabi Folk Dances, Patiala: Punjabi University.
  3. Karnjit Singh (1995), Folk Games and Dances of Punjab, Delhi: Navyug.