The word samayi means brass. It is called the Samai dance because men and women dance while brass lamps or Deepak are put on their heads. The mesmerizing images of the Samai dance performance will never leave your heart after witnessing it in person.
Samai Dance Occasion
The people perform this dance before Holi. The villagers offer prayers in front of the Tusli for some days. This continues till Holi. Even though the purpose of this dance is to enjoy and relax, its roots are religious.
Samai dance is also performed during the Shigmo festival in Goa.
Dance Costume
During the Samai dance, the women wear red color sarees and the men wear yellow kurtas with purple pajamas. The men have a head ribbon tied to their heads while participating in the lamp dance. Women wear gajra in their hair along with other traditional jewelry such as bangles, bindi, earrings, nose pins, and necklaces.
The brass lamp used in the Samayi dance is one foot long with burning wicks which dancers need to balance while dancing. Initially, only men used to perform this dance but for some years women are also participating in it.
Samai Dance Performance
Samai dance is done in a group of nine to eleven people. The songs are sung in Goa’s native language. Dancers sing themselves while performing the dance.
Samayi dance consists of slow movements as dancers must balance lamps on their heads. This dance requires a lot of practice because a dancer can not let the lamp fall while dancing. Dancers perform making exquisite movements with traditional folk music.
Music Instruments
The main instruments used in samai dance are Harmonium, Shehnai, Ghumat, Samel, Surt, and Zanj.
Other names of Samai dance are Samayi dance, Lamp dance, and Divlyanchi dance.
Pingback: All Folk Dances of India - Statewise Complete List - Auchitya