Colorful Panorama of Floats and Dancers mark ’50th Goan Carnival 2017′
Margoa-Goa: Hanv Saiba Polthodi Voitha, Maka Saiba (Carnavalak) waat Dakoi!-That’s right. Me and bunch of my friends, also many Mangalureans did enjoy the fun-filled extravaganza, where we ate, drank and made merry. Carnaval 2017 was a colorful panorama of dancers and floats depicting the quintessential Goenkar life, burning issues, and larger-than-life monsters, plus much more. As Goa Carnival stepped into its Golden Jubilee year, the First King Momo of Goa Carnival, Timotio Fernandes was felicitated by Goa Tourism at the hands of Chief Secretary Dharmendra Sharma, for his contribution in starting the carnival float parade in the Capital City of Goa- Panjim, five decades ago.
Sources revealed that Timotio Fernandes was instrumental in giving carnival the traditional flavour and for ensuring that the essence of the festivities were in keeping with the authentic Goan culture. Mumbai- based music director Joe D’Costa and Goa’s well famed Fado singer Sonia Shirsat kick- started the Carnival’s first day at Panjim with the Carnival theme song ” Kai Boro Dis”. openly ushering the extravagant reign of King Momo, Roque Fernandes into the state. Chief secretary Dharmendra Sharma flagged off the Panjim Carnival floats, on 25 February 2017.
Artistically designed floats depicting larger-than-life traditional Goan fruits, vegetables, fish, wild animals and the Mando in all its glory were a treat for the eyes of thousands of people who had lined the streets of the parade route. A number of floats sent out a strong message in support of the Swachh Bharath campaign and against the ills of drugs, child labour, and deforestation. Other wide range of floats highlighted social issues concerning the society, environment and wild life, through implementation of strict rules and regulations. At the same time, demonetization which was a major blow to corruption in the country, was in the spotlight for this year’s floats, as under the sponsored category several nationalized banks came forward highlighting the PM Narendra Modi’s demonetization move.
Panjim Carnival also witnessed a special float dedicated to late Fr Bismarque Dias, demanding justice for Goa’s social activist, who fought to protect the state from destruction. Upholding the traditional legacy there were several locals who put up floats illustrating the traditional culture, heritage and occupations of Goa. The music accompanying the floats brought the festive crowd, particularly tourists on their feet. The parade also had themes from the national level, effectively advertised by the visual media. Bringing back back memories of the ISL frenzy was FC Goa float, which displayed all its paraphernalia like blazers, funny caps and the ubiquitous orange colour, led by a mock FC Goa playing football.
The musical traditions of Goa was aptly depicted by the float “Goencho Mando”-it had a Goan traditional mansion forming its backdrop and Goans in their formal attire all ready to sing the “Mando” with musicians in accompaniment. Some other floats also had their own way of attracting attention. After the float parade, it was all excitement and extravaganza of music and dance , where the revelers enjoyed every bit of it till late night.
On the second day of Carnival 2017, it was King Momo’s sway over the state’s commercial capital-Margao, as music rent the air, fun and frolic spilled onto the streets , and revelers made merry as the City played host to the Carnival float parade organized by the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) and the state’s department of tourism. Feet-tapping music and floats conveying socially relevant and environment conservation and protection messages descended on Margao as Carnaval fever gripped the State’s commercial capital on Sunday, 26 February. Fun and frolic virtually ruled the roost as King Momo, along with Queen Momo, leading the the float parade read out the edict to ring in the celebrations before the 40 days of Lenten season, which starts on 1 March.
The parade comprising of nearly 75 was flagged off near the Colva Circle, where state ministers, MLAs, government officials and other VIPs joined revelers in welcoming Momo the monarch and his contingent as it led the float parade. Margao carnival parade witnessed a mix of tradition and creativity in the tableau’s which were presented at the parade that consisted of floats in various categories. I feel that it’s a good platform to bring awareness through these floats and give out a social message, since most of the floats were quite educative which could give a message to the locals, tourists and also those in authority in various civic departments.
The Margao Municipal Council’s Carnival committee had worked in tandem with others to make this Carnival a grand and successful one. The traditional floats depicting Goa’s well maintained traditions attracted the attention of the mammoth crowd. As the crowd on the road shoulders swelled , the police personnel had a tough time in controlling them. The cops forcibly brought down some revelers who had climbed to the top of the trees in the city to avoid any untoward incidents.
On the third day it was Carnival fiesta at Vasco on Monday 27 February, where thousands of people from the nearby town and villages had thronged the parade route- whee the parade was flagged off near St Andrew’s Church square and went through the Swantantra Path. After the parade there was performance by Bhuskha and Jhoney B Gud along with the band “Square Heads” followed by a dance group. At least 62 floats in different categories took part in this parade. And today is the last day (28 Feb), of the Carnival, taking place at Mapusa.
“Mangalurgars” had a nice time partying with “Goenkars” at the Carnival – It’s no doubt that Mangaloreans like to party-and when there is nothing much of fun and frolic taking place here in the coastal city, Mangaloreans look for any other destination where they could enjoy to the best of life-and Goa is one such destination that party lovers of Mangaluru like to go and get into a revelry mood. And this year quite a few Mangaloreans were seen at the Goa Carnival 2017, where they enjoyed the beauty and fun of Goa, along with music, dance, cocktails and authentic Goan cuisine.
As Mangaloreans know, food and drink are huge draws in Goa – While seafood, feni and pungent Goan sausages are on almost every travel itinerary, there was much more on offer at the Food and Culture Festival, organized by Goa Tourism as a precursor to Goa Carnival 2017. The free entry meant that visitors poured in to participate in the festivities, and off course we were there, because free is always better, fun and merrier. From seafood grills to pork sorpothel from kebabs to biriyani, from iced drinks to sinful desserts, everything was on sale at the food festival. Aromas competed in the cool evening air and the dressed-up stalls offered a feast for the senses. While carnivores gorged for joy, a few mollified vegetarians could be seen secretly tucking into something fleshy on this night of sin.
And for that matter, a bunch of us, Mangaloreans had one heckuva time at the Carnival 2017. Viva Carnaval ! Viva Goa !- where fun never stops.
