Carnival of yester years It was a great occasion , fun filled 3 joyous days.Open air folk plays were a big draw for old and young alike It was seasonal and much looked forward entertainmentat door steps At our place the Mand is almost hundred years old. Such small mands existed in other place but not of the fame of Dandeavado. LOCAL residents contributed and that paid for the plays. The elders then were protective of Lady folks and did not want them to be subjected to any sexual abuse under the licence of Carnival No donations from rich and politicians and names of local defaulters wete announced publicly at plays, which forced them to contribute. Every play was hosted and no dramatic troupe was sent back ever on their voluntary visit at Dandeavaddo and they never demanded their fees as such.Dandeavaddo was a place of choice to visit during Carnival even to day People from far away places used to carry their tiffins and stay for the whole day Locals were outnumbered by outside spectators hence the tradition to stop performances beyond 8 p.m was revised .The plays were performed at ground level and of late on stage with sound system Many a times the actor's were provided meals by the villagers in compensation.They the performers with the band used to move on foot from place to place. They had to stage the plays at the residence of Regidor for certification of content to avoid satire and criticism Portuguese Govt.Hence that place used to be thronged by spectators for a free show that was not always a complete play I t was MOSTLY VILlage affair .There were some famous,popular Carnival dances at Sinquetim and Orlim red and black attire, later was restricted by select invitation.Margao Municipality used to sponsor some free plays fof public Some philantrophists staged plays at their residences too The people were dressed in colouful clothes and it was a festive ocassion at homes.Throwing of powder missiles was a tolerable nuisance and also smearing with powder and indigo dye was a common practice.Carnival was ocassion to go about with masks distributing sweets, doce and also some activities to sell items.It was a challenge to identify or unmask the mask wearers. WEARING OF MASK WAS A DISTINCT practice. On the last day of carnival it was a bit of a nuisance for ladies to venture out, but it was not a licence for sexual harassment and it was taken in sporting spirit .It was an special occasion for the lovers to meet in disguise . To day the carnival is hijacked by Govt to attarct Tourist and uprooted from villages to streets of major cities and towns for display of floats ,ostentially displaying so called culture andd tradition but it is more commercialised.The massive crowd is a new intoxicant on streets of major cities The winds have changed and so also carnival celebration unique Portuguese legacy only in Goa. of late sigmo celebrations are also coompeting with great pom and pride unlike in the past where not very popular
Nelson Lopes Chinchinim