Goa is a land of a multitude of customs, traditions and festive fanfare. The artistic people blending East and West most creatively. Music and dance form the backbone of rural Goa. Each region and occation has its distinctive forms. The urban areas have adapted to modern and popular music styles.

Goan folk dances could be traced back to a tradition of thousands of years, characterized by by and reflecting cultures, lifestyles and aspirations of different religions, strata and castes of the Goan society. Here are some popular dance and music cultures in Goa.

Bhandap: A traditional folk dance performed in the second half of the Hindu month Bhadrapada by women belonging to the scheduled tribe community who are believed to be the earliest settlers of Goa.

Corredinho-Portuguese Folk Dance: A farmer’s dance which is popular among Goan aristocratic youth.

Dekhm-Beauty Dance: Performed exclusively by women. The dance displays a rare blend of Indian & Western rhythms.

Dhangar Dance: Performed on Navratra days as 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-song in praise of gallant Kings. It also represents daily activities 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.

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.