Ghode Modni

                                                                       Ghode Modni

Ghode Modni is literally a dance involving horse-like movements. It is a spectacular warrior dance commemorating the battle victories of the Ranes, the Maratha rulers of the Sattari taluka, over the Portuguese. This dance is popular in Bicholim, Pernem and Sattari talukas. It is performed during the Shigmo festival. The Kshatriya (warrior class) dancers wear costumes similar to that of Rajput chieftains with a Peshwai pughree as headgear, fix at the waist a mock wooden horse which is beautifully bridled and decorated, and wear anklet bells. Holding the bridle in one hand and brandishing a sword with the other, the dancers move to and fro to the beat of dhol drums, tashe and cymbals,to recreate the prancing of war horses.