The Hindu : National : It's carnival time in Goa

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 06, 2005

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National

It's carnival time in Goa

By Anil Sastry

PANAJI, FEB. 5. The big annual event — the Goa Carnival — began today in a new form — the Fusion Carnival — promising four days of fun and frolic to Goans and tourists.

The Fusion Carnival was conceptualised by the then Tourism Minister, Matanhy Saldanha, to bring out the best in the Carnival and the Shigmo — the two most popular festivals in the State. While the Carnival is a major festival of Catholics, the Shigmo is attended by Hindus, bidding adieu to the winter, in March.

The Carnival's origin can be traced to the feasts of ancient Rome and Greece that made its appearance in the Spanish and Portuguese colonies, metamorphosing into Latin singing-dancing-drinking sessions. The Carnival in Goa is unique as such as event is not known in any other part of the country.

The star of the festival was King Momo, who on the opening day today ordered "his subjects" to party. Queen Momo's float was full of dancers, giving it a look distinct from previous years.

While the King's float was prepared by the Tourism Department, the Carnival Committee prepared the Queen's float.

The festivities began early today with the traditional Alvorada signalling the start of the Festival near the residence of the Panaji Mayor, Ashok Naik, followed by three decorated vehicles moving to the beat of the Shigmo Dhol.

About 53 Carnival floats and three Shigmo floats that assembled under the Mandovi bridge entered the city in the afternoon, later lead by King and Queen Momo on the D.B. Bandodkar Road till the Kala Academy.

Parades by masked revellers and floats, with live music, was watched by thousands of people on the promenade of the Mandovi river. The Carnival spirit will continue till Tuesday with mini carnivals in various places in Panaji, Margao, Vasco-da-Gama, Vasco and the popular tourist destination, Calangute, said Joaquim Teles, the president of the Carnival Committee.

The Carnival is also celebrated in the countryside by Christians and is called "Intruz." The celebrations culminate with the red and black dance on Tuesday night, followed by Christians attending the Mass on Ash Wednesday.

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