A famous folk dance of the fisher community of Maharashtra is the Koli dance. This community is known as Kolis and hence their folk dance is termed as Koli dance. It has a huge popularity even in urban Maharashtra. A lot of music videos have been developed on this folk dance. The steps used in this dance are very easy but good to watch. It is therefore often a favorite at cultural functions.
Mostly, this dance is a way to thank the Sea for everything it`s given the Kolis. Their livelihood, life after going into sea… everything they owe to the sea; they are showing their gratitude to the sea in this form. Men and Women are in their best traditional garments. Women with flower garland on their hair, gold jewelry, perform a small pooja (prayer) and then begin the dance.
The male dancers make a chain and move forward like the boat as it moves in the sea; while the ladies similarly in the opposite side. As soon as they are at par with each other they break the chain and dance together with the partner. A lot of steps in the dance in inspired and has some significance to the sea, sea-waves, movement of the boat, the fishing net etc.
Although, initial purpose was to thank the Sea as it got more commercialized the songs were set on various themes. The most popular theme is the romantic, boys teasing girls and the other way round. The commercialized version has a very peppy and fast music however the traditional music is different.