religious songs are also characterized separately with the former related to contemporary western styles. Banvarh is a mourning song, usually sung on the day of cremation by Hindus. Deknni is a song which originated in Bardez, Ilhas and Salcete. Dhalo is a wedding song. Dulpod is a dance song with quick rhythm and themes from everyday Goan life. Duvallo is a pregnancy song. Fell is folk drama with themes from Indian epics or Indian history. It is performed by wandering artists usually after the rains, which start in June and end in August or September. The fell song is a dance song. Fughri is a dance song performed on religious occasions, particularly in honour of the deity Ganesha. The Kunnbi, who are probably together with the Gaudde the oldest inhabitants of Goa, belong to the peasant strata. The kunnbi song is a dance song in the fughri style depicting their own life, but also protesting against exploitation and social discrimination in a subtle manner. Launim is a song dealing with religious and legendary themes. Mando is a dance song whose major theme is love, the minor ones being historical narratives, grievance against exploitation and social injustice, and political resistance during the Portuguese presence in Goa. Ovi, which the Portuguese termed as versos, is a song with nuptial themes. It has the Sanskrit root vri which means “to choose, to select”. The ovi has three rhymed lines and one unrhymed. The former contain each three or four words and the fourth line one, two, and exceptionally three words. The number of syllables is nine for the rhymed lines and four or five for the last line. The early Portuguese Christian missionaries adopted the ovi-form for liturgical and devotional hymns. Palnnam is a cradle song, a lullaby. Talgarhi is a song of the Gaudde. The theatre song is sung during the stage play, mainly performed by wandering artists during the dry season. They entertain the public while touching on daily life, but also sing subtle satires on local politics and the shortcomings of Goans. Zagor means “watch”. The zagor song is sung in kunnbi folk plays depicting their own life. They are usually staged at night. Zoti is sung at nuptials. The Christian hymns and Hindu songs for the liturgy and popular devotions form an essential part of Goan daily life. It is common for passersby to hear people playing instruments in