Dance Culture of Goa

                                                                   

                                                                Musal Dance of Goa

Musal dance seems to be a victory dance. It celebrates  the victory of Harihar, the son of Bukka 1 of Vijayanagar. The Prince is mentioned in the opening of the song and is addressed as VIRA AND SINHA. But the later part of the verse is much devoted to the Audumber and its divine powers which Hindu women worship.

At the historical village of Chandor in the Kshatriya (warrior) caste villager's courtyard this Mussal (pounding mace) march cum dance is performed on the second day of Goan  Carnival.' Musal' - a war weapen in medieval times, is performed with full Hindu martial even though the Kshatriyas of Chandor converted to Christianity long ago. The dance-cum-song is performed to celebrate the victory in the early 14th century of the Hindu King of Vijaynagar, Harihar, over the Cholas.

With a spring in step and pestle in hand

place:- Cota, Chandor

It's the second day of Carnival. The serene village is already enveloped by the moonless night. An all-male group, all Catholics, decked in traditional attire- a dhoti, a jacket, a colourful turban, ghungroos (ankle bells) on the left foot- and carrying a musoll (pestle), starts gathering at the mandda khuris. The village suddenly comes live with the clanging of the bells at the small chapel. After lighting candles and reciting a Christian prayer before the cross, the mussol dance is performed by pounding pestles into the ground. The dance over, the performers then march in procession holding lit torches to the San Tiago chapel, where the sequence is repeated. From here, they sing the musoll song.