Bedecked with the
traditional ‘taranga’, flags and red-spotted ‘Dwajas’, Panjim is ready to roll
out the red carpet for its much awaited Shigmo, this coming weekend on March
14. The decor is in keeping with the Goa Tourism Development Corporation’s
(GTDC) commitment to showcase the rich traditional heritage and culture of the
state through its festivals. “It is part of our endeavour for the past two
years to focus more on the unique heritage and cultural aspects of Goa through
our various festivals like carnival, Shigmo, Sao Joao and so on,” elucidates
Managing Director of GTDC, Nikhil Desai.
“For Shigmo this year, we have once again
decorated the cities with the essential core elements of the festival, which is
traditionally celebrated as spring’s biggest festival. This festival honoured
the homecoming of the warriors who left their homes and families at the end of
Dusshera to fight the invaders. We are
highlighting this aspect, which very few know about. This in turn has whetted people’s curiosity
to know more about the festival. Similarly, the floats will depict traditional
folk dance and mythological scenes, with traditional instruments like the dhol
and taso,” shares Desai.
To further this
interest and create a wider interest in some of Goa’s unique festivals, GTDC
has invited journalists from seven major national papers in the country to
witness and cover the festival. A press conference was recently held in Delhi
to generate more interest in the festival. Similarly articles and pictures have
been published in travel magazines. And in keeping with present times, elements
of the festivals and tourist activity have been posted on social websites. “The
idea is create awareness about our rich traditional festivals not only in Goa,
but around India and the world,” explains Desai who is elated at the tremendous
response these activities have generated; an interest not only among the
locals, but also tourists from India and abroad, who now visit Goa in droves to
witness these various festivals.
A long time
resident of Taleigao, abstract artist Suhas Shilkar is happy with the fact that
efforts are being made to showcase Shigmo’s traditional flavour. “Shigmo is getting bigger and it is
interesting to note that traditional artefacts like the ‘tarang’ are out on
display. Shigmo has its roots in the villages it has been moved to an urban
setting. This helps the dual purpose of
more viewership in the cities and an exposure to folk festivals which one does
not see too often in urban areas. It
serves as a reminder of our traditions and their roots,” he avers.
As artistes put
finishing touches to their floats or fine tune their performances for the
Panjim leg of the 13-day parade and festivities, they highlight the essence of
Shigmo. “The festival is based on the traditional religious beliefs and gods
and hence our floats take off on these subjects,” informs Ganesh Naik, whose
group of 25 artistes, ‘Triveni Kala Sangh’ has been taking first prize for many
years. This year too, his
mythology-based float ‘Vishnu Mahdev Yudh’ has been making all the right
impressions on the crowds and the judges.
Anticipating
another season of traditional spring fervour, people will throng to the streets
of Panjim once again to witness Goa’s heritage and culture through its popular
festival Shigmo!
