Romtam Mel is a popular folk dance performed during the
Shigmo festival of
Goa. This dance, performed in the rural areas, is a means of expressing gratitude to the village deity.
Romtam Mel dance is not performed in any stage or ground. Rather, this dance is performed in a procession that leads to the main temple of the village. Huge banners, colorful umbrellas, festoons, sticks and battens add color and grandeur to the procession. The procession is led by persons carrying the largest banner, which is called ‘gudhi’. This colorful entourage is accompanied by the pulsating beats of large sized drums, providing a feast for the eyes and the ears. The procession ends at the temple, followed by a prayer to the presiding deity.
