13 Popular Folk Dances of Goa

Golden beaches, myriad landscapes, soothing breeze of the line of majestic coastal trees, jubilant and vibrant lifestyle. Wondering which place is it? Yes, it is Goa, a haven of entertainment and fun coupled with its mystic views and dazzling environment. Located in the western part of India, Goa is a popular tourist destination among Indians and International travelers. A unique part of its culture and tradition is its elegant folk dances. In this article, I intend to acquaint you with the 13 most popular folk dances of Goa. So here we go.

Dhalo

Dhalo is one of the prominent dances of Goa; performed by the womenfolk. It is held mainly during the month of “Pausha”- The Hindu month corresponding to December and January. The women gather at night after dinner to perform the dance. They form 2 rows facing each other. The rows are formed with a group of 12 dancers each. is a dance form full of zest and charm. The dancers enfold each other with their hands at the back and create a disciplined line. Singers accompany the dancers, chanting songs in Marathi or Konkani with melodious rhythmic beats. You will enjoy the beats and the feet tapping on the ground, full of zeal and enthusiasm.

Corredinho

Corredinho is also one of the popular dances of Goa, but most prevalent among the rich society of the place. It is a couple-dance performed by men and women in pairs. There are a total of 6 pairs in the dance. The dancers adorn themselves with bright and colorful garments. Feet tapping is the key attraction of the dance, in which the dancers perform in sync with the musical beats.

Dekhni

Dekhni is again a womenfolk dance like Dhalo. But here the concept is different. The dance is performed to portray the life of a Devdasi. In Hindu mythology, there was a belief in marrying a girl to God. She in turn continues serving the Lord her whole life. The girls were known as Devdasi, serving the deity in the temple. The music, accompanying the dance, followed the combination of the Indo-western culture.

Fugdi

Fugdi is another renowned folk dances of Goa, performed by the womenfolk. The dance is carried out in groups, forming a circle. There are no singers or musicians accompanying the dancers. They themselves sing and dance in energetic movements. The dance is performed in several social gatherings and religious ceremonies in Goa. It is symbolic in portraying the power and energy concealed within human beings. It is two types – Katti Fugdi and Kalshi Fugdi. The former one is performed with coconut shells as the props whereas the latter one is conducted with water pots.

Lamp Dance

Lamp dance displays the skill and talent of the artists performing it. They carry brass lamps balanced on their heads and move in slow movements. It is spectacular to watch the tenacity and patience of the dancers as they control themselves in keeping the lamps intact and balanced. The lamps are quite heavy and it is truly amazing to watch the dedication of the performers. It's a treat to the eyes observing them.

Dhangar

Dhangar is based on the story of Lord Krishna and his lady love Radha; the divine characters in Hindu mythology. The shepherd community of Gujarat majorly performs the dance during Navratri. Navratri is a religious Hindu festival that occurs for 9 days. The head of the family starts the dance on the first day. From the next day onwards, the other members join in. The idols of the Lord are placed in a central location in the village. The people gather and dance around the idol. It is one of the slowest and simplest of the folk dances of Goa.

Dashavatara

The word “Dashavatara” in Hindu mythology implies the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu, the Hindu God. The dance is performed by both the men and womenfolk. The dance, as the name implies, depicts the ten manifestations of Lord Vishnu. It is performed by both men and women. Different mythological characters from the Hindu tales are enacted in this dance form. The dancers wear artistic head gears and dress with heavy ornaments. Their faces are painted in different colors to portray the different manifestations of the Lord.

Shigmo

Shigmo is also one of the significant folk dances of Goa. The objective of performing the dance is to celebrate the new crops in the spring season. The beautiful soothing climate enhances the celebration. The dance is very popular among the farmers in the rural areas of Goa. Another belief is that it is performed to celebrate the victory of soldiers returning from the battlefield.

Kunbi

Kunbis are a tribal population, residing in Goa for years. They perform the dance majorly during social gatherings or during any religious festivals and occasions. Kunbi is performed by the womenfolk. Elegance and grace define the dance form. It is one of the best folk dances of Goa; a pleasure to watch the dancers performing in unison and in sync with each other.

Romat

Romat is a street show, where the dancers and musicians move in a procession. The traditional musical instruments of drums and cymbals are used. The dancers are decked up in bright-colored attire with glitters and sparkles adorning the dress. Huge banners, sunshades, and different other symbols are carried by the crowd throughout the procession. It is one of the popular folk dances of Goa, where people flock to watch the fun in the streets.

Goff

Goff is a skilled dance form of Goa. A unique act is performed in the dance, which makes it special. Several cords are used by the dancers to form various artistic patterns, while they dance with the musical beats. They dismantle the formations and again arrange them in sequence throughout the performance. The songs accompanying the dance are dedicated to the Hindu God, Lord Krishna.

Mussal

Mussals are weapons used in the war during ancient times in India. The Kshatriyas, known to be the valiant warriors, used the Mussals. The dance form is performed to commemorate victories during wars. It is conducted at full moon, mostly in the months of February or March. The songs accompanying the dance form are comprised of twenty-two couplets.

Ghode Modni

The name Ghode Modni implies the movements of a horse. The dancers wear a horse-shaped structure or model around their waist. They move around waving swords. The dresses of the performers are of different colors coupled with gorgeous ornaments and beautiful headgears. Drums and cymbals accompany the dance.

If you happen to visit Goa, do not miss out on watching some of the folk dances of Goa. You will surely enjoy them. And if you like the article, please share your feedback.