MARGAO, MARCH 3
Chief Minister’s home town of Margao will play host to two days of government-funded Carnival festivities, beginning with a colourful float parade on Sunday.
And, unlike other towns and villages, the Civic body has decided not to rope in any Bollywood stars, but will lay stress on reviving the traditional “Intruz” in the city.
When questioned why the Margao Carnival Committee has limited the festivities for two days, unlike other places, the MMC Chairperson initially said the SGPDA grounds have been booked by a private party on the last day of Carnival. Incidentally, the PDA grounds have been reserved by Vijay Sardessai’s Foundation We For Fatorda, which is organizing Adieus Carnival in a big way with Bollywood star Amisha Patel being the star attraction.
Naik denied that the festivities have been curtailed because of paucity of funds, saying the Chief Minister was kind enough to increase the funds from Rs five lakh to Rs 15 lakh.
Replying to a question, the MMC Chairperson said that Bollywood stars have not been roped in by the organizers for the simple reason that the Civic body is trying to revive the traditional Intruz in the city.
When newsmen asked the Chairperson over the fate of the payments due to the directors of traditional Khell tiatr for their performance last year, Naik said the present Carnival committee has nothing to do with the payments, adding that the previous committee should submit the bills to the Tourism department for clearance of the payments.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson said that the Carnival float parade will be flagged off by the Chief Minister and Patron of the Margao Carnival Committee 2011 Digambar Kamat on March 6 at 3 pm from the Holy Spirit Church square. “This year, Carnival will also be celebrated with traditional Intruz with a one day fun fare at the SGPDA grounds on March 7”, he said.
Besides, the Chairperson pointed out that the Khell Tiatr will be staged by various khell groups in all the 20 Margao Municipal wards as part of the Traditional Intruz.
“In an attempt to revive the traditional Intruz, a special cultural program comprising of fancy dress competition for kids, DJ music, African Acrobats, fire eaters, UK Mania and a Konkani musical program by Konkani melody king Lawry Travasso have been planned on PDA grounds on March 7 at 5.30 pm”, she added.
