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The southernmost area of present day East
Punjab, lies between the Sutluj and the Ghaggar rivers and
encompasses the districts of Patiala, Ludhiana, Ropar,
Ferozepur, Bhatinda, Mansa, Sangrur, and Faridkot. Until the
coming of the canals about 50 years ago this was a sparsely
populated, semi arid or even desert landscape. It was known as
a jangal da ilaqa, wilderness area, where the land could at
best produce bajra, millet, jowar, barely and channa a variety
of lentil. Land-holdings were large, feudalism had a strong
grip resulting in a low level of social mobility and the level
of banditry was high. The people of Malwa are regarded as
hot-blooded, prone to violence and high emotion. At the same
time, Malwa has been the epicentre of folk music and cultural
traditions. The ubiquitous giddha-a fixture at nearly every
social event-provides impetus to a combination of folk poetry
and dance. Giddha takes two forms, both rooted in Malwa: they
are the babeeyan de giddha or Malwai giddha (performed by men)
and the Malwain giddha (performed by women). In bolis, tappe,
Jat/Brahniin songs, kavishri and kissa, lyrics reveal regional
variations in imagery.
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