CANACONA: Accusing the government of indirectly eroding local traditions, people from various tribal communities in Canacona demand that Diwali vacations be replaced with holidays to celebrate Shigmo instead.
By scheduling examinations during the Shigmo festival, the governmenat is effectively undermining local traditions, alleged Devendra Tavadkar, a teacher and art enthusiast.
"For any tradition to survive, it is necessary for the younger generation to learn it. However, by scheduling exams during the Shigmo festival, youngsters are effectively kept away from our tradition as they are forced to study instead," he said.
He outright dismissed the commercialised Shigmo celebrations sponsored by the government in cities and towns while ignoring the traditional celebrations in villages.
"Crores of rupees are wasted under the guise of promoting art and culture, while in reality, the present government is totally ignoring the actual art and culture found in villages," said Tavadkar.
He pointed out that over the years, villagers have successfully maintained a balance with the environment, which has now become a part of their culture and needs to be protected and promoted, he said.
He argued that it does not make any sense to have 20 days of holidays for Diwali when in reality, this festival is celebrated only for two or three days.
"Instead, it would be better to give a long holiday to celebrate Shigmo, as these celebrations go on for 20 to 25 days," he said.
Besides, he pointed out that for weeks on end, people practice and learn the various dances and games associated with Shigmo celebrations in villages.
"While in South Goa, Shigmo ends about three days after Holi, in North Goa, it starts from Holi, and therefore, it makes more sense to give a longer holiday during the Shigmo festival instead of Diwali," he said.
Being a teacher, he opined that exams should be over before Shivratri or should be held after Gudipadva to enable students to learn their traditions and maintain their culture.
"Two years ago, the Tribal Research Centre, Goa wrote to the Education and Art & Culture departments suggesting this, but unfortunately, the government just ignored this representation," said Devidas Gaonkar, President of the Tribal Research Centre.
"I had written to the Education Department about the demand to have a longer holiday for Shigmo, but they have not taken any action on it," said Sagun Velip, Director, Art & Culture Department.
Pointing out that the world is facing various environmental problems, Tavadkar said promoting traditional arts would be the best way to protect the environment, as that is part of ancient traditions passed on from one generation to another.