MARGAO: For the first time, hundreds of students, including pre-teens studying in the primary section, witnessed ‘Zomnivele Fell’, popularly known as ‘Khella Partio’ at the Perpetual Succour Convent school complex at Navelim on Tuesday.
It was Sr Libia Fernandes, Principal of the school, who took the initiative in organizing the folk plays for the first time, especially for the student community, in order to revive the tradition of ‘Zomnivele Fell’, a performance art form that used to rule Carnival festivities in the villages of Goa, but has slowly been replaced by more commercial and mainstream festivities in the towns and cities.
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In the morning hours of Tuesday, well-known folk play director Milagres de Ganapoga went into the vicinity of the school with his troupe, and was greeted by enthusiastic students, excited to experience traditional folk plays. Even the students studying in the primary section were gathered to watch the performance.
Many of them witnessed traditional folk plays for the first time and they were seen clapping along and enjoying every scene and song presented by the artists.
Several students were dressed in colourful clothes, keeping with the customs of Carnival and the hall was alive with excited voices, keeping tune with the drumbeats and folksy songs from the khell.
Speaking about his experience of performing specially for the student community for the first time, Milagres de Ganapoga, director of the folk plays, expressed happiness and appreciated the efforts of the management of the school in organizing the event.
“I think this school will be the only one that has organised Carnival folk plays for the students, to give them a glimpse into the traditional intruz festivities of yesteryears’ Goa,” he said.
He said this is the right decision in order to promote the traditions of Goa among young children, at a time when they are being influenced by more mainstream genres of music and events.
In the welcome address, Sr Libia Fernandes said that the only aim of organizing the ‘khell’ is to revive traditional Carnival customs amongst the student community, who are unaware about their importance. She also shared her experience how they used to enjoy the Carnival and watching the ‘Zomnivele Fell’ performed on the streets during her childhood days.
