THE SHIGMO FESTIVAL - " GOA " There is more than beaches

I was in Goa a few years ago during spring and I got to see a different Goa beyond the beaches. It was the Shigmo Festival, which is celebrated across the state.

It's far twilight in Panjim and a touch boy wearing all finery stands in the center of the street and brandishes a sword inside the air. however, in a moment he is engulfed by the thunderous beats of the dhol and the excessive pitch of the cymbals. In Goa you do now not accomplice pole dancers with older girls, but here is a collection holding poles in their arms and dancing to a frenzied rhythm. A baby Krishna strolls beyond at the same time as a dismal intimidating Yama Raj strikes a pose. A shy Devi appears a chunk conscious as she wields her sword, a Ravana adjusts his headgear, and a rather stressed Hanuman paces up and down, grabbing interest.

surprisingly I'm lost in a sea of faces as hundreds of men, ladies and children throng the streets. A pulsating electricity sweeps thru the wave of poles and flags as they swirl and twirl to the rhythm of the Dhol. that is a Goa that is new to me. vibrant and colorful, it treats me to a spectacle of Shigmo, a pageant that is well known for the duration of the kingdom to herald the season of spring.

Shigmo has its roots within the villages of Goa because the competition is commonly celebrated in temples with the arrival of spring. women and men dance in their fields, pray to the local deities, carry out many a folk dance, sing conventional songs, deliver mythology alive with theatrical performances laced with trance and rejoice color. however, the larger-than-life birthday celebration is within the cities, wherein myth and people form a fusion within the floats that parade through the streets.

I am standing in a small enclosure looking the tableaux of villagers from around Panjim parade through the streets, showcasing nearby lifestyle. wearing a rebellion of colors, the people are conquered with the aid of strength and passion as they carry out the Romtamell, the Dindi or the Ghode Modani – traditional folk dances that are a part of their neighborhood way of life.

They go into a trance and lose manipulate because the beats take over their ft; their saffron turbans roll over as they pass their our bodies to the rhythm of the music. Age does not matter – the older men and women whip up a few pleasure as the little children dance and sing with gusto. The festival comes alive as dancers take over, even as villagers get dressed as deities and demons to compete for the eye of the crowds.

I stroll around looking some of the guys get prepared with their floats. The occasion, I hear, is competitive. Artists win awards in numerous classes, be it floats, fancy get dressed or folk dances. The making plans start off evolved almost multiple months in advance as villages vie with every different to win awards. It is not simply mythology this is the underlying topic of Shigmo. women and boys address social problems like mining or rubbish because the women and men show off agrarian themes in their floats.

However it is the raw power and the satisfaction that takes over the night. as the drums roll and theft twirl, the little boy subsequent to me actions his head in a frenzy as he breaks into a jig. I'm told it's miles the 25th anniversary of the Shigmo celebrations in Panjim this yr and the authorities have promoted it as a state tourism event, bringing Goa’s rustic and cultural side to the fore. but Shigmo isn't always simply restricted to the capital. The floats move from city to metropolis as extra members input the fray from the neighboring villages.

as the Sun is going down, the strength hits an all-time high. there's no signal of it waning down inside the target market. The dancers move on, leaving the streets for a bigger-than-life spectacle wherein the epics come alive with garishly painted deities and demons. they're loud and kitschy, however colorful and overwhelming. Loud laughter greets you inside the darkish as the evil demons make their look. The Gods look less daunting at the same time as tales from the Ramayana take center level.

I watch Kumbhakarna in his sleeping avatar, a cruel Ravana dragging Sita, Hanuman getting into the mouth of a demoness, and the Sugreeva Sena all set to combat the demons. Myths and legends take over as devas and asuras parade with loud sound effects whilst Shiva and Vishnu entire the photograph.

n Goa, the nights are continually loud and colourful and so it's far with Shigmo. The waft is going on till past due night amidst loud cheering, even as the members show no signal of tiring. it is a Goa that I see for the primary time – proficient, lively, legendary, animated and full of pride because the Goans showcase a aspect to them that has its roots in subculture and way of life.

Hope You enjoyed it.