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Introduction

Ghodemodni :

This folk dance is performed in some parts of the talukas of Goa, which lie near the northern boundaries of Goa. It represents the horse (ghode) mounted cavalier, setting off to war.

Ghode Modni (‘Ghode’ means ‘horse’ and ‘Modni’ means ‘gyrations and dance-like movements’) is literally a dance involving horse-like movements.

It is a spectacular warrior-dance commemorating the victory of the Ranes, the Maratha rulers of the Sattari taluka in Goa, over the Portuguese.

The costume is like that of a Rajput chieftain but the head dress used is a Peshwai puggree worn by the Maratha rulers. The kshatriya dancers also wear head gears made of colourful flowers, don in full traditional livery, fix at the waist effigy of a wooden horse beautifully bridled and decorated with colourful clothes, and carry ghungurs in the anklets.

Holding the bridle in one hand and brandishing a naked sword with the other hand, the dancers move forward and backward to the beat of drums – Dhol, Tasha and Cymbals – to recreate the prancing of war horses.

Two or eight dancers, fastened inside hobby-horses below their waist, brandishing swords, execute their war like dance to the beat of the dholak and tasha. There are no accompanying songs.

The dancers go as far as the village limits and return while executing this exotic folkdance. The influence behind this seems to be entirely northern. This dance is popular in Bicholim, Pernem and Sattari talukas once ruled by the Marathas. It is mostly performed during the Shigmo festival.

See Also Other Folk Art Forms of Goa:

( Dashavatara | Dekhni | Dhalo | Dhangar | Fugdi |Ghodemodni | Goff | Kunbi | Mando | Muslam Khel |Ranmale | Samayi Dance | Veerbhadra | Other Folk Dances )