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Introduction

CORREDINHO

A Portuguese folk dance and a beautiful example of Portuguese cultural influence, this elegant dance is highly popular among Goan elite youth. Corredinho Marcha de Fontainhas, a song-cum-dance, is famous for its rhythmic and exquisite footwork where normally six couples take part. The colourful costumes are a feast to the eye.

TONAYAM MEL

Rhythmic harmony of the highest order is required when it comes to performing Tonayam Mel – a popular folk dance form. ‘Toni’ means a painted stick and ‘Mel’ means a dancing group. As the frequency of the beat rises it has to be matched with faster footwork, and that too, without sacrificing the grace of footwork.

VIRAMEL

A peep into Goa’s primeval cultural heritage is provided by Viramel- a symbol of masculine courage and determination. This is a ritual performed in only a few atmosphere. This marshal dance form is enacted by a group of persons, who wield sharp swords and bear the agony of the self-inflicted blows. Blood oozes out in plenty from their bodies. But the faith seems to heal the wounds speedily. That is why the participants observe abstinence for days before performing Viramel.

TALGHADI

Talgadi is a dance expression of pure pattern of human movement, energy and pure joy and is therefore a clear folk expression. The dancers wear typical flowers and colourful costumes and dance to the beats of folk percussion instruments like Ghumat, Shamel, Zanj etc. The dancers move around the village giving performances in the courtyard of every house which is witnessed by a large number of village folk.

GAULAN KALO

This folk theatre form is related to the story of Lord Krishna. Along with Krishna there are many characters like Radha, Gopis , peasant boys and donizons of Vrundavan. The play highlights the childhood of Krishna in Vrundavan. It includes his friends Gopis and his childhood pranks, right from the mother beating Lord Krishna for robbing the butter of the neighours, playing with the Gopis, his love for Radha, killing of serpent Kalia, lifting of Govardhan mountain, killing of demoness Putna and other Asuras. The play is presented in the premises of the village temple on festive occasions.

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 )