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Festive feel The Cochin carnival has grown bigger and more colourful since its inception some years ago

Annette explained about their carnival, which traverses the country, moving from city to town, carrying with them joy and thrill. “Started 60 years ago by my husband’s grandfather, today it has become almost synonymous with age old celebrations in our country so much so that, the arrival of our carnival means a change of mood within the place, a kind of unsaid joyous celebration that seeps in.” Lasting for a week all through summer, from April to October, the carnival is for a week in every town. “Celebrations occur as long as the weather permits. We arrive usually on a Monday and unpack our gear from trailers and assemble them in an open yard or lawn. This includes a variety of rides and games that need to be unloaded and put together.” As the carnival is set up, word passes around of the festivity. Soon people throng the arena, “especially children who love to indulge in the rides.”

This, says Annette, could be anything, from Ferris wheel to a haunted house. Although the rides were quite old fashioned till recently, modern technology has replaced these for more sophisticated ones so that computer operated rides that are highly technical and digital in nature monopolise the entertainment scenario, rides that have been brought in from Italy with the latest techno set up. But some things remain the same.” As Annette puts it, there are those who dress up and plenty of ice-cream and candy floss is on sale. The stalls offer more goodies too, like caramelised almonds, sausages, French fries, fizzy drinks and plenty of beer. “In the earlier days, people used to go berserk on hearing of the arrival of the carnival, in fact they used to buy sausages and fries and take them home to family and friends. It was a time to buy festive food, and mind you, there weren’t very many food stalls or depots like we have today.”

She continues that often with the carnival would arrive a number of other things, “Like a market place that sold clothing or various knick-knacks. Things like graters for the kitchen, kitchen towels, socks… you know, these little things that people like to buy at cheap prices. Often there could be a music concert too.” Music accompanying the tableaux at Cochin carnival is a common factor to the event described by Annette. But then Annette points out that the carnival it is only during summer when it is sunny and bright. And yes the couple would like to bring their carnival perhaps to India.

“It makes us want to look at new things, new avenues.” With all the festivity and the urge to celebrate life, it just might seem a possibility.”

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