When the dancers decided to stop the dance with sticks (kol) the meda beats the drum for pariya kali. Each dancer holds a pariya (a circular metal shield known as pareya) in his left hand and a cane in his right hand. In the modern days, sticks are used in place of shields (even shields made of bamboo are also popular). The dancers dance in pair striking each other below the knees only. Anyone who hits his opponent above the knees is punished. Whoever has the desire, strength and courage for this dances and whoever decides to fight with him in a single combat, joins him on the dancing ground and recites the verse for the dance and start dancing. When both begin striking each other, if the onlookers find that one is much stronger than the other, they stop the dance. If both are of equal skill and strength, they dance three rounds, hitting each other as they dance. Before the dance ends and the combatants leave the ground, they should embrace each other ending the combat.