This Year Hindus Join Catholics To Celebrate 'Fusion Carnival' In Goa
By Father Desmond de Sousa, SAR NEWS
PANAJI, Goa (SAR NEWS) -- Carnival in Goa this year moved from the traditional to the communal. 'Viva Carnival' became 'Fusion Carnival 2005' as even Hindus joined in the celebrations.
In the past, only the Catholic community celebrated the Carnival. It extended from the Fat Saturday to the Pancake Tuesday just before the Ash Wednesday. The Hindus celebrated Shigmo a couple of weeks later. However, this year the Christians and the Hindus came together for the 'Fusion Carnival 2005' being held throughout this tiny state during this time of the year.
In the late 1970s, the Government tried to develop Carnival in Goa as a replica of the Brazil Carnival to attract tourists. But the local people vehemently opposed the signs of wild lasciviousness on the floats. What is still resented by some older people is the government turning a basically village celebration into a commercial carnival to attract tourists.
The famed 'tiatr' (Goan theatre) writer-director-actor, Roseferns, recalled his Carnivals in his childhood days in a village in south Goa. "Almost every village would have more than one group that would hit the dusty road early on Saturday morning. It consisted of a band of musicians, a theatre troupe and others. It would head first to the Regedor's (village government official) house for the first performance of its three short plays. After watching the show, the Regedor would give his consent and a 'licence' for further performances."
Right up to the Liberation of Goa from the Portuguese in 1961, Mapuca village in north Goa witnessed one of the most colourful carnival celebrations. These were centred round an elaborate mock battle between the Portuguese army -- who ruled from 1510 -- and the Ranes and Bhonsles (famous Hindu Goan families).
The battle started near the Swiss Chapel erected by the Swiss battalion of the Portuguese army in 1815. Before the mock battle, a flag was hoisted on the Rane-Bhonsle 'castle' on Mapuca Hill. After the battle, which ended with the "capture" of the king and queen of the Rane-Bhonsle army, the flag was lowered and the merriment began.
This year, Union Minister of Tourism, Ms. Renuka Chowdhury, was witness to the 62 floats paraded through the streets of Panjim. Mapuca also had a grand start to the carnival festival. Sunday will be the turn of Margao and other villages will have their own celebrations.
Whatever the shape, size, colour and pomp of the fest, for some Goans the Carnival just isn't what it used to be. "In the good ol' days, it had a more Goan touch and theatre played an all important part in the festivities."
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