Goa is a land of highly talented and artistic people with a rich cultural synthesis blending East and West most creatively. In addition to the classical different forms of music and dance have evolved. Music and dance form the very fibre of rural Goa. Each occasion and region has its distinctive forms. The urban areas have adapted to modern and popular music styles.

Goa folk dances bear a tradition of thousands of years, characterized by innumerable forms performed by and reflecting lifestyles, cultures and aspirations of different strata, religions and castes of Goan society. Women perform a number of the traditional dances like Dekni - a rare blend of traditional and modern music. Fugdi and Dhalo are the most common folk dances of Goa. The Kunbi is a tribal folk dance. Women holding lamps on their heads perform the lamp dance during Shigmo festival. Morulem is another traditional folk dance presented by the backward community during Shigmo. The Zagor is a folk play presented in different villages of Goa by the Gawda community. The Dhangar, performed during Navratri, is a vigorous session of worship and dance. Mando is a love song which represents the mingling of Indian and western tradition.


Bhandap: A traditional folk dance performed by the womenfolk of the scheduled tribe community who were the earliest settlers of Goa, in the second half of the Hindu month Bhadrapada.

Corredinho-Portuguese Folk Dance: A peasant dance which is popular among Goan elite youth. Dekhm-Beauty dance: Performed only by women, displays a rare blend of Indian & Western rhythms.

Dhangar Dance: In Navratra days. a vigouious session of worship dance. Fugdi & Dhalo: Folk dance performed by women. The most common folk dance forms of Goa. Ghode Modnr: It is 111 commemoration of the return of the Ranes after victories over the Portuguese in Bicholim and Satari Taluka.

Goff-folk Dance: It manifests joy and happiness of Goa peasants after the harvest, dining Shigmo Festival in Phalgun month. Nanpet-Sword Dance: A traditional warrior dance performed during the Shigmo Festival. Kala & Dashatlai: Folk dance forms representing the subsequent development of jagar as tiatr. Some of the other popular folk drama forms are Ranmale, Ratkala and Tiatr.

Kunbi Dance: Tribal folk dance: A group dance-cum-song thoroughly rustic. Lamp Dance: Performed during Shigmo festival by women Holding lamps on their heads.

Mando: A love song. It represents the mingling of Indian and Western tradition. Monilem: A traditional folk dance presented by the backward community during Shigmo festival.

Mussal-Khel-Pestel Dance:A dance-cum-song in praise of valiant Kings. It also projects incidents in the village life of the times, Romat, Tonya Mel and Dhendio are some other folk dance forms.

Perani Jagar: The earliest form of drama.

Suvari Folk Music: It is a traditional tone setter to ail Hindu religious and festival performances. Talgadi: Folk dance performed by men-a social sophisticated, outdoor group dance for men. Taranga Mel: Banners mela of Farmers.

Tonyamel: Folk dance with sticks- A very vigorous and muscular group dance which is connected with the farm-folk celebrating the joys of good harvest.

Veerbhadra: It is a typical Indian style dance performed in Ponda, Sanguem and Bicholim Talukas.

Zagor: Folk Play- A cultural activity presented in different villages of Goa in different styles by the Gauda community.