During Dasera and some other festivals Dalkhai is performed by certain tribes from western Orissa. It can be done by only females or only males of the tribe or both together. This is how the tribe likes to celebrates festivals to show and share their joy. The term Dalkhai in Orissi means ladylove and the dance is named Dalkhi as the term is used often in the song.
The music is played using the drums of various size and styles along with a blowing instrument. The music is very soothing and goes at a medium pace. The dancers form a vertical line and swing from left to right and right to left on the tune of the music. There are many other steps including one where they form a circle with hands around each other`s waist. The themes are basically based on Indian epics Mahabharata and Ramayana or sometimes revolve around the beauty of nature or love.
All Men and Women dress up in the best of their outfits. Women wear Sari that is about knee length. They look their best with all their traditional ornaments and hair nicely tied in a bun with roses on the side. And the Men wear dhoti, kurta and a shawl around their shoulders, sometimes only dhoti and the shawl without kurta. They hold down both the ends of the shawl with each hand. The Dalkhai dance goes on for hours and everyone present double up the fun of Dasera and other happy occasion dancing together.