| Foogddi
It is a dance very much loved among Goan Hindu girls and women. The details
of the dance vary from caste to caste in Goa. Brahmin girls dance it with
a brass pot on the head. Farmers, fisher folk and Kunnbis (Gavddis) dance
it by forming an interlocked circle often of up to 12 girls. The Mahar
women of Pednem area, dance it singly throughout, though in a group with
exquisite footwork and attractive rhythm, which is kept up with foot claps
every time the dancer revolves around herself.
At the Chovoth in Goa, nature revives the spirit of
fulfillment with the season of fruitfulness. An uncontrollable explosion
of energy sets the feet in motion. The girls and women start singing and
dancing before Lord Ganesha.
The most popular form of Foogddi in Goa is the one with circle formation
which begins with the chanting of religious invocations. Konkani songs
of special significance as well as of social themes follow upon the religious
hymns. They are sung by first improvising some homely group activity like
grinding, washing or kneading which provides them with a dramatic setting.
In this conductive setting, the group exchanges opinions and information
in crisp couplet and salacious stanzas. It can also include scandals and
gossip about those who are absent from the scene.After this first part in slow tempo, the group breaks
up into pairs and with interlocked hands, swirls around with gradually
increasing pace, singing songs of matching speed.
When the swirling attains
maximum speed, they simply keep up the rhythm by blowing air through the
mouth, making Foo.. Foo sounds. When totally exhausted after the song
and dance they sink down with heady satisfaction, laughing yet looking
jealously at the pairs still spinning like tops with the dizzy emissions
of Foo..Foo..Foo.. in the air. This unique sound in the expression of
the song has bestowed the name of Foogddi, on the dance form. Foogddi
is an all weather indoor dance and needs no special religious occasion
for performances. It is mostly danced on all important religious and social
occasions. It may even form the tail-end portion of other dance forms
like the "Dhalo".
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