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Hanv Saiba Peltoddi Vetam

Kepemchim Kirnnam
Audio
Hanv Saiba Peltoddi Vetam

The dekhni is a song dance genre performed mainly by the Goan Catholic community. "Hanv Saiba" is the best known of the dekhnis, owing its popularity to Mestre Laurencinho Henrique L. Dias, leader of the Banda Nacional de Salcete who introduced it as a dance song in the early 20th century. The song narrates a popular story about a Devadasi, or temple dancer, on her way to a wedding under the cover of night. The boatman refuses to take her across the river and she tries to offer him her jewelry, which he refuses. She finally succeeds when she offers him "a kiss from my cheek."