Team Herald
PANJIM: A spectacular Shigmo parade dazzled thousands of people in the State capital as the streets resonated with the sounds of drums and conches, as mythological figures and the romtamel groups paraded through the streets.
The Shigmo float parade depicts the life of a Goan in elaborate traditional folk dances like Ghode Modni and Fugdi on the streets in massive troupes.
The parade opened with the traditional romtamel along with dhol and tashe as people danced along the road waving their totem poles whose tips were decorated with beautiful flowers and mango tree leaves.
The parade comprised of 24 floats depicting Hindu mythological legends while 12 Romtamel groups danced along the entire stretch to the tune of dhol and tashe. There were 25 participants in the fancy dress competition while five in the folk dance category.
Speaking to the media, Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) Commissioner Dipak Desai said, “This year we are having strict rules for the Shigmotsav parade. Last year there were numerous complaints from citizens as the floats parade used to stretch up to late night and later 2 am the prize distribution function would commence but this year we have cancelled the prize distribution.”
The rules include a gap of 15 meters between two groups, while there will be minus points if the floats are not in time or there is no discipline maintained. “I guess Panjim Shigmostav will be the best parade in Goa,” Desai added.
A large police force was deployed along 18 June road to maintain law and order. Large floats depicting scenes from mythological and religious scenes besides performance of traditional folk dances like Ghode Modni and Fugdi will be the attraction of the day.
A Panaji Shigmo Committee member, who did not want him to be named, said, “This year the Shigmo is well planned and even the route is slightly changed.”
