Tonnya Mell is a dance form found in Goa which resembles the Gujarati Folk Dance Dandiya. The name Tonnya Mell is formed of two words “Tonnyo” or “Toni” which means “Stick” and “Mell” means “Dancer”. The main difference between Tonnya Mell and Dandiya is that only male dancers perform the Tonnya Mell.
In Tonnya Mell dance, the sticks are given high respect and it is not allowed to be left on the floor. Dancers also do not wear footwear while holding the sticks in their hand. The sticks used in the dance form is considered to be made from the branches of a holy tree called Khair. It is believed that the Khair tree was planted on earth by the God, which wore leaves of life – every leaf represents life on earth. It is thus the sticks are given importance in the Tonnya Mell dance.
The sticks held by the dancers represent the men in the reproduction cycle on earth and this could be another reason for female dancers not performing this dance form. The dance steps and songs connect our present to the past, giving glimpses of the future. It requires a special artistic talent to synchronize the footwork with others. The speed of the dance increases in progression.
