The Dhalo festival is performed gracefully by the woman. As the earth has the ability to regenerate herself, this festival is based on the fertility. In this type of dance the heap of mud is the considered holy and it is worshipped as it symbolises the mother earth. This heap of mud is known as the “tulas”. The Dhalo festival is performed in an honour to the earth’s potential and it is called as the “ Dhalo utsav” and it is bound to the fertility cult.
In the greenery of Goa, Quepem is the place with beautiful natural environment. It is full of thick vegetation and hills which gives a bountiful look at the landscape. The dance form which has gained name and fame here is again the ‘Dhalo’.
The dances are performed for 5 days. The final night when the dance is performed, the singers sing different songs. Small skits are performed with special and unique characters.
The special dance steps are included in this dance. Firstly the dancers form two rows the row is called as ‘faanti’. The women put their right arm on the waist of the woman next to her and her left arm is free. In the same way the rows come forward as meet at a juncture. Then the performers salute the Goddess earth in a symbolic manner and this movement is called as ‘noman’.
This dance is sometimes performed for more than a week’s time. Goa is a place where the people devote themselves to God and observe many rituals. This dance is performed by the women as an offering to the God so that their household is blessed and protected by the almighty. The songs are sung mostly in Konkani language and sometimes Marathi is also used. When the winter season (known as Pausha) sets in, it is the time to perform the Dhalo. This dance is ritualistic and social in nature
On the last day of the dance the women dress up attractively with bright colourful costumes. At the end, women draw men’s caricatures like a ritual.
If you are interested to learn:
dance online, you can book online classes;
music through online classes;
any musical instrument through online mode, please contact us.