The name
‘Bonderam’ originates from ‘Bandeira’,
the Portuguese word for flag. During the Portuguese rule, there were frequent
disputes between two wards – Piedade and Sao Mathias – over property issues.
The Portuguese introduced a system of putting up flags to demarcate the
boundaries. Now the festival is organised by the Piedade Youth Association, a
week after the Malar Bonderam. The traditional Bonderam will be held with a
flag march led by the brass band followed by All Goa fancy dress competition.
This year, the Piedade Youth Association and the village of Divar
are gearing up to celebrate the 34nd Traditional Flag Festival ‘Bonderam’. At
3pm, the annual flag parade will begin and conclude by 3:30pm, at the main
Divar junction where the festivities will continue through the evening.
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“As a child, I used to eagerly anticipate the month of August as
Bonderam would start during the fourth Saturday of the month. Our ward leader
would summon all the kids from the neighbourhood for the dance practice for the
float parade, and I would use the excuse of ‘Bonderam practice’ to avoid
tuitions and other school obligations to meet up with friends and see the buzz
and excitement that took place at the workstation.
“On the day of the
festival, the island would be buzzing with melodious sounds and colourful
sights. With family and friends cheering us on, to ward members signalling us
as we would take the centre stage, it was hard to miss the spirit of excitement
in the air. We performed our choreographed routines with ease and hoped to
score brownie points with the judges. Once the float parade concluded, we
headed to the beat show and anxiously waited for the prize announcement. We
then celebrated with all the wards, irrespective of the results. The ward
members and leaders are the pillars of the festival. Their active involvement
in making the entire ward participate is the key factor behind the success of
Bonderam,” says Adv Savio Monteiro, who is now a member of the Piedade Youth
Association.
Clarence
Fernandes, also a member of the Piedade Youth Association, informs about the
floats and the festivities, saying, “Floats from Premiero ward, Romantic ward,
Maddant Stars ward, Jingle Bells ward, Vitozem ward and Divar Centre ward will
showcase the talent in their respective wards. The entertainment will include a
Goan band Archies and live performance by Goa’s own O’Luv.”
