Folk dances of Goa feature an artistic heritage that’s rich, lively and known for their energetic performances. The traditional ethnical music and cotillions have continued uninterruptedly, while the influence of the Portuguese music and cotillion on the domestic culture has helped evolve new forms.
This happy blend and co-existence of artistic traditions gives a singular character to the music and folk cotillions of Goa.
Here are ten famous folk dances of Goa that now recognized globally.
Ghode Modni
This is the name of a magnificent folk dance that’s largely performed in Bicholim Taluka of Goa. The dances brings back the memory of the good warriors within the past. The dancers swing about with dummy horses tucked to their waists. They carry swords in their hands showcasing bravery & at the same time they wear ‘ghungrus’. The background music is that the music of dhol and tasha.
Dekhni
Dekhni is referred as a song cum dance. This is because the song has western bearings while the dance is of Indian form.
It is only the ladies dancers who perform this beautiful Dekhni dance. Whenever this dance is performed, it’s through with ghumat.
Dhangar dance
Dangars form a community of shepherds who worship a folk god named as Bira Deva. They believe in rituals and various celebrations. They celebrate with dances on dhol and flute. The dances they perform are usually dedicated to Shri Radha & Krishna. The costumes they were are named as Kathiawari white dress.
Goff Talgadi and Shigmo
They are awesome and delightful folk dances that are a neighborhood of Spring jubilation and that they are basically performed to spread festive mood and happiness among the peasants. These dances are mainly performed by peasants of Goa. The peasants residing in Canacona Taluka perform the Goff dance. Goff consists of weaving of braid with various tints.
The entire dance may be a symbol of utmost discipline. Talgadi is additionally a folk dance that’s performed on ghumat beats. It is quite just like the dandiya dance of Gujarat. Shigmo could also be a dance that’s performed by wearing colorful dresses and is completed of the beats of dhol, tasha, cymbals, etc.
Mussal khel
This is one among the folks inheritances which involve a song cum dance wiped out the praise of brave kings. An important aspect related to this dance is that it’s performed by Christians to praise a Hindu King.
The main day when the dance is performed is that the beautiful full-of-the-moon day of falguna month of the Hindu calendar . It is basically performed by the Cholas of Chandor who were defeated by the Harihar of Vijaynagar dynasty.
Zagor
Zagor is a folk dance inherited from the fashionable Marathi Theatre in Goa. It consists of two forms one of which belongs to the Pernni community, while the opposite belongs to the Christian Gawdas. Pernni Zagor concentrates on the philosophical topics supported the origin of universe. On the opposite hand the Christian Gawdas has been taken from the contemporary village life.
Lamp dance
This kind of lamps uses brass lamps and it’s unique and difficult since it’s basically the art and skill of the dancer who keeps the lamp on his head and uses different body movements without affecting the position of the lamp.
The time at which this dance is performed is that the time of the Shigmo festival. The various instruments that are used for this sort of dance are Cymbal, Ghumat, Haronium, and Samel.
The songs used are the traditional folk songs and thus the most regions wherein this dance is performed are the southern and central regions of Goa.
Fugdi and Dhalo
These folk dances are basically performed by women which they’re quite common. The pace of Dhalo is slow while that of while that of Fugdi is fast. The pattern followed by the Fugdi dance is circular and in Dhalo a dozen of girls dance having their faces before every other. Both these folk dances are performed on Marathi and Konkani songs.
Veerbhadra
Veerbhadra is understood because the son of Lord Shiva and he’s also referred because the burning flame. This dance is performed on Dhalo Mand’s fifth day. The dance is performed while holding swords and and thus the instruments that are played include dhol and tasha.
Kunbi song and dance
Kunbi songs and dances are literally played by the primitive settlers in Goa that delineate ancient traditions. The songs belong to the Portuguese era which they’re basically for the enjoyment of the dancers.
The traditional and folk dances of Goa, signify the rich cultural heritage of the state. They also foster unity and goodwill among the people residing within the state.
