DHALO

Dhalo is the popular form of folk dance in Goa.Dhalo is the dance form performed by Kunbis,Bhandari,Naik,Gabit and Gaudi. Dhalo, is the festival of women which is celebrated for 5 to 7 days in a year . Earth goddess &  the forest goddess are the major entities worshipped in the Dhalo.
.  The day when the dhalos start is called as ''dhalyachi punav''.a full moon night which is either onWednesday or Sunday.The women decorates with rangoli the open space in the house where tulas is installed .A folk song itself gives us a reference of the full moon and Tulassi is sung

kartika Mahina, Kartika Mahina
Malani Poonayen Alashe,Malani
Aaloo Zhalay Baro Zhalo, Tulashi Zagha Benage
kartika Mahina, Kartika Mahina
Malani Poonayen 
Tulashi Tumhe Ghala Ge Tulashi.

The women offer a talli{Rice,Moogh,Jaggery} which is cooked and served to those who are present.
The song begins with a acall to all friends to join the dance.

Dhalo gue dhalo!Dhalanim khellum
ieat gue dhalo,dhalanim khellum ieiat ,
chali khell ieat gue dhalo

The leader locally known as MANDKANN invokes the salutation to divinity , the mother goddess and seeks blessings for the whle village.Various deties are invited and their names are taken and it is believed that they come after a acall.The singing of songs continued till the mid night.
Around midnight the various dances and games start.On the last night some special items are performed such as ''mock-weddings'',women acting like peacock,''Ghon'' play {eagle} play.In addition to this there is Pingdi and Shikar are enacted .Pingdi is turbaned womenin a man's otfit who dances around jingling some coins in a brass pot.In the shikar ,two women dress up and go hunting an animals   represented by man or young boy.On the last day women can also call the names of her husband.(basically hindu women doesnot call their husband name.)

After the prayers ,the women split into two rows facing each other .Each row  forms a closely knit unit by holding themselves with arms around one another.Therefore each row is called as ''FANTI{plait}They sway,bend and move forward and backwardsinging in unison only on one foot.The second row then repeats the movement of the dance.
The last night is important day and the devotees have to remain awake during the night until the early morning .

THE CLOSING SONG IS SUNG IN TWO VERSES

FIRST VERSE
Dhalanchea mattear fullancho jhelo
Aichean dhalo sompleo ghe 
Aichean dhalo sompleo ghe 

SECOND VERSE

Ganda gaddeo
Modda modyo
After singing the song fanti are disbanded.

At down women who dressed as begger{pingdi} goes from house to house and collect alms . The following song is sung.
Sokallche pari,pingdi ali dari
Ami pingdi bottache , tandul gallam batachea
Hat kut corta kai,patie chavi karta gai
Maca poiche dita gai ,Maca poiche dita gai!
IN THIS WAY  PINGDI COLLECT  RICE AND  MONEY.