PONDA: Even as artists in Ponda are busy putting the finishing touches to their floats and costumes for the upcoming Shigmotsav parade scheduled for March 8, they worry that the government’s time restriction of 10 pm would put a dampener on the festive event. “We spend months planning and creating these floats based on mythological scenes and characters and thousands of people from all over come to witness the spectacle. It will be very difficult to wind up by 10 pm as it takes a lot of time to do justice to the float parade, romatamel and folk dances,” said an artist from Kavlem, Kisan Naik. Demanding at least a one-hour extension for the festivities, the artistes also hope the government will hike the prize money offered, and also increase the number of prizes, considering inflation and the hard work and resources they pour into the cultural extravaganza.“Float preparations cost a lot of money, and we incur expenses to the tune of Rs two to three lakh, depending on the size of the float,” said another artist Pradumnya Naik, hoping for better consolation prizes this year.
Artists gearing up for Shigmo parade demand extension of 10 pm deadline, bigger prizes
