Pomp, gaiety mark Panaji Shigmotsav celebrations

Pomp, gaiety mark Panaji Shigmotsav celebrations

Shigmo Floats in Panjim on 22nd March 2003

NT Staff Reporter

Panaji, March 22: The streets of Panaji reverberated to the traditional drum beats with thousands of people dancing to the tune, along with colourful floats, depicting mythological scenes, effectively projecting the rich Indian culture.

The Shigmotsav parade, organised by the Panaji Shigmotsav Samiti in association with the Panaji Municipal Council (PMC) and the Department of Tourism, drew a tremendous response from the people from Panaji and surrounding areas, who were present in large number to witness the parade

Speaking on the occasion of the prize distribution ceremony of the colourful Shigmotsav parade, the Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Parrikar said that the enthusiasm and zest demonstrated by young and old artists and dancers during Shigmotsav celebrations in Goa itself prove that Shigmotsav is deep-rooted in the culture of this land.

The Chairman of the Panaji Shigmotsav Samiti and eminent industrialist, Mr Srinivas V Dempo presided over the function.

Stating that though Shigmotsav and Carnival had been declared as two major festivals in Goa, Mr Parrikar said the former has became more commercialised and therefore it looks like as if we have imported something from outside. As against this Mr Parrikar said the people without any sponsorship demonstrated their enthusiasm for presenting the floats.

The tableaux at the Shigmotsav parade display Goan art, Goan culture and above all, ‘Goanness’, Mr Parrikar said.

The Panjim Shigmotsav Samiti chairman, Mr Srinivas Dempo, in his welcome address said that Shigmotsav displays our rich and prosperous culture and tradition, and further stressed on the need to protect and propagate the same.

Mr Dempo also observed that Shigmotsav has achieved importance on the international level and also helped boosting the state tourism.

Earlier in the evening, the float parade went on smoothly, inspite of the fact that for the first time no barricades were erected along the roads. The parade, which began at 5 p.m. from Campal reached Azad Maidan at around 9 p.m. The lady Governor, Ms Vimla Sahani and her guests witnessed the entire parade. Likewise, the North Goa Collector, Mr S S Keshkamat and other senior bureaucrats were also present.

Over 300 foreign tourists from the United Kingdom, Germany and Iran, who had arrived in Goa to participate in the Shigmotsav festival, also witnessed the parade. Some of them were seen dancing along with folk dancers and clicking the photographs with them.

In all 46 groups in three categories participated in the four-hour long parade. Among these 24 were folk dancing groups, ten romtamell and 12 were colourfully designed and mechanically propelled moving floats based on mythological stories. The PMC, which associated itself with the Shigmotsav celebrations for the first time, presented a tableau, depicting the Miramar beach and Azad Maidan. Portraits of valiant freedom fighters were also placed along the float.

A giant float depicting Lord Vishnu’s incarnation Matsyavatar (fish) was put up by the Bhaili Path, while the Siddhi Vinayak Mandal, Mapusa opted to present a scene from the Mahabharata depicting Peetamaha Bhisha sleeping on a bed of arrows.

The Yuva Mandal, Loutolim also depicted Vishnuavatar while the Shantadurga Yuvak Sangh, Cumbarjua presented a scene Mayasur yadnya. The Hanuman Datta Mandal, Bandora depicted a scene from Ramayana by presenting a fight between demon Ravana and the bird Zatayu, whose wings were chopped by the demon when the bird blocked his way while taking away Sita.

The Mashel Nagrik Samiti demonstrated its artistic skill by effectively depicting a scene ‘Sheshdhar Vishnu’. While the Adpai Yuvak Kendra depicted ‘Ma Bhagwati Darayasur Yudhya.’ The Kala Sagar, Marcela skillfully depicted the demon Ghatotkoch blocking the path of Lord Krishna. While the Anandi Mandal, Mapusa put up a float, depicting a fight between Lord Kartikeya with demon Tarkasur. Besides, the Adpai group and Omkar Haunshi Mandal also presented their floats.

The Panaji police made an elaborate arrangements to conduct the float parade smoothly. The SDPO (Panaji), Mr Waman Tari, SDPO (Mapusa), Mr Allan D’Sa, the police inspectors, Mr Salim Sheikh and Mr Sammy Tavares (Mapusa) were seen supervising the arrangement. Mr Pandurang Phaldessai was giving a commentary and explaining the details about the folk music and dance, being presented in the parade.

The Chief Minister distributed the prizes to the winners.

In float category, the Anandi Mandal, Mapusa won the first prize of Rs 30,000 and rolling trophy. The Adpai Yuvak Sangh, Adpai won the second prize of Rs 25,000, while Shantadurga Yuvak Sangh, Cumbharjua was adjudged third best tableau and won the prize money of Rs 20,000.

The fourth prize of Rs 10,000 was given to Shri Ravalnath Sai Kala Mandal, Adpai, while the fifth and sixth prizes were given to Hanuman Dattatraya kala Mandal, Bandoda and Mashel Nagrik Samiti Marcel, respectively. Besides, five other consolations prizes were also awarded.

The first three prizes in Romta Mell category were won by Dongri Shigmotsav Samiti, Dongri, Navdurga Shigmotsav Mandal, Ladevada and Gurukripa Shigmotsav Mandal, Parmal. Besides, three other consolations prizes were awarded.

The first three winners in Folk Dance category were Siddhivinayak Kala Sangh, Mardol, Omkar Sanskritik Sangh, Mardol and Sri Kapileshwar Sangh, Paryemal. Besides, 10 consolation prizes were given.

The Chief Minister also felicitated three Goan artistes - Naresh Amonkar (Marathi stage) from Marcela, Nanu Shirgaonkar (Music) from Tivim and Ms Irene Cardozo (Tiatr) from Candolim, on behalf of the Panjim Shigmotsav Samiti by offering shawl, sriphal and a memento.

The general secretary of the samiti, Mr Gaurish Dhond proposed the vote of thanks. Mr Devidas Amonkar compered the function.

Courtesy Navhind Times www.navhindtimes.com