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Goan Carnival gets Brazilian
flavour
Panaji, Feb 2 Dazzling colours,
vibrant crowds and attractive tableaux carrying revelers dancing to the
tune of zingy music formed part of the parade held in the city this evening
kicking off the statewide three-day Carnival under the reign of King Momo.
A Goan carnival takes a different
route. But there are some similarities between the two. The Portuguese
introduced carnival to the Goans, but if the Goans have missed out on the
Brazilian connection, the link has become complete this year with the Brazilians
gripping the Goans with their creative talents and dancing skills. In an
historic description, the Brazilians made their entry into a Goan carnival
celebration first, gracing the Goan float parade
The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar
Kamat along with the Tourism Minister, Mr Francisco (Mickey) Pacheco and
the city mayor, Mr Tony Rodrigues travelled in a specially decorated vehicle
to new Patto bridge to flag off the parade.
The parade, which was delayed
by more than an hour, was led by the tableau carrying King Momo with his
queen and dancing belles. The technicolor procession began after King Momo
read a decree proclaiming his rule for next three days, appealing to the
public to eat, drink and make merry during the festival period.
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The next two floats sponsored
by the Consulate of Brazil in Mumbai, which formed the highlight of the
parade, had replica of a magnificent ship which signified the arrival of
Portuguese discoverers and the mystical sea Goddess, ‘Yemanja’, a highly
venerated cult figure which represented the bountiful generosity of the
sea, the only means of survival for the fishing community from Brazil.
These floats were followed by a bevy of Brazilian dancers with attractive
headgears consisting of blue-white feathers performing Samba.
The parade also included
a large number of tableaux based on the themes like Goa as well as environmental
and social concerns.
A float participating in
the parade displayed the traditional art of pottery as followed in Goa,
complete with live demonstrations by some senior village potters and followed
by a replica of bullock cart carrying the pottery products |
Another tableau which was based
on the theme of Goan fishing village, combined people as well as cardboard
cutout figures reminding the large crowds which thronged the streets about
the bygone days when coastal villages of Goa were buzzing with fishing
activities. Yet another float presented a typical toddy-tappers’ village.
The ‘Keep Goa Safe’ float
decorated with a bright rainbow had giant replicas of butterflies, with
a large-sized ant posing as King Momo. Some more floats carried giant sized
creatures like chameleon, frogs and even mermaids.
Some tableaux also took up
the cause for saving dolphins and girl foetus.
The parade which included
81 floats in four categories -- traditional, junk cars, sponsored and clowns
-- were interspersed with participants enacting various characters like
pirates, brides and grooms, clowns, jesters and so on, brass band, Kunbi
dancers, etc.
Among the dignitaries who
watched the parade were the Consul General of Portugal in Goa, Dr Paulo
Neves Pocinho, the Chief Secretary, Mr J P Singh and the St Andre MLA,
Mr Francis Silveira and Goan singer, Remo Fernandes
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