Shigmo parade cancellations dampen many spirits

 There was a great deal of speculation as to whether Shigmo would be held this year. Yesterday the state government issued a statement that all Shigmo festival parades scheduled to be held in the first week of April, were cancelled in light of the rising coronavirus cases. The Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told the Goa Assembly, the decision to cancel the Shigmo parades in the state had been taken to prevent further spread of the Covid-19 infection. The parades were scheduled to be held in three cities in the first week of April. The traditional Shigmo festivities in temples will continue, but the hosts should abide by the Covid-19 restrictions, Sawant said, adding that weddings and other celebrations should be held with limited attendees. Bhai Naik the head of the Mathagramasth Hindu Sabha said he would be having a meeting in the evening to decide how Shigmo could be conducted only with religious rituals. He said “The government has decided to cancel the Shigmo celebrations that they organise. We are focused on the Zambaule Shighmo. We don’t intend to conduct any celebrations. We have to follow the sop’s and having gulaal is out of the question. But the religious rituals have to be conducted. 99.9% I am sure we will have it.” However the decision to not have Shigmo celebrations this year evoked strong reactions amongst the Romatamel. Sharmad who is a senior member of a group in Ponda that participants in the celebrations asked the reason why they had stopped Shigmo. Providing the answer he said the virus that had spread across the world was the reason for this decision. He said their motivation did not come from any urge to earn any money but to take this opportunity to showcase their talent and culture. Tourists he said were moving around unhindered across Goa so then this decision to ban Shigmo was difficult to understand. Another performer who did not want to be named said this decision would not have been made if the government was generating profits from this activity. Swapnesh Naik from the Bodgeshwar Group said it was a terrible decision by the government. People in the group he said traveled long distances to be part of the rehearsals. He said “Our art is very important to us. This decision will cause us a great deal of loss. I strongly believe the government should compensate us. We don’t ask anyone to sponsor our performances. If we do, they are not willing. We generate funds in the group and then spend it”. Shambhu Vairagi was also gob smacked by the decision to not have the celebrations. He said people had spent money to create floats and costumes. This was an important part of their life and it had been taken away. The virus he said was present and he was aware of its dangers but he said life seemed to be going on in the state and in the country. Tourists were present in the state in large numbers and were moving around but the government had decided to not allow Shigmo. That he said was a decision he could never understand. Others like Saeesh Falari who at 31 has been participating for fourteen years said it was very disappointing. He said “Let me tell you about the floats, 80 % of the work is already completed. Many have spent around Rs 2 to 2.5 lakhs from their pocket and some have been lucky to get some sponsor who pays some money. Then there is the cost of the generator and the sound for three days. It has all to be paid. Now what.” He went on to say that everyone knew the virus was around and the people still decided to go ahead. He said “In the last three years, it has been an interesting experience. We get harassed by the police to move along. There is the election code of conduct. We have to show our culture but we get harassed. We order clothes to wear from Mumbai or Pune after paying an advance. Now the balance payment, how do we manage and towards what end. IFFI, Carnival were all herd but when it comes to Shigmo its controversy time. I think the government should allow us to do our show in the three places and show it live on tv. If we ask for compensation, how much will we get, we have to be realistic”. The general sentiment was that it was an opportunity to showcase their talent and present it to all the visitors attending. The virus seems to be causing more damage than was anticipated at first. One can only hope common sense prevails all around.