Vasco’s Lotus Dance to be revived after 7 years Written by Adelmo Fernandes Tuesday, 22 December 2009 00:52
Navhind Times - Goa http://www.navhindtimes.in/buzz/6528-vascos-lotus-dance-to-be-revived-after-7-years In Goa dances are synonymous with Christmas celebrations. Christmas dances are held all over the State, which attracts the young and the old alike, not forgetting the tourists visiting Goa for Christmas revelries. One such dance held in Vasco is the ‘Lotus Dance’ organised by the Municipal High School ex-students Association. This happens to be the oldest dance in the Port Town and probably one among the oldest in the State. The first ‘Lotus Dance’ was held way back in 1969. Incidentally 2009 would have been the fortieth year, but for the fact that the organisers had to stop the show in 2002 thanks to the restriction over playing loud music beyond the stipulated time. This year, because of public demand, the popular dance is being revived, albeit with a changed timing. In a reminiscent mood, Mr Linton Barreto, Secretary of the association, talks about the first time the dance was held as a get-together for the past pupils of the school, to revive good memories and to also uplift the Alma Mater. “At the first dance the members of the association put up the pandal themselves. We had to get the tables from Ferrao Coaching Classes and the chairs from a local hotel,” he says nostalgically. Because of the popularity it gained among the Vascoites and the huge success that followed over the years, the dance became an annual feature. In years to come the ‘Lotus Dance’ became synonymous with Christmas celebrations in the Port Town. “In the past the dance was held after the midnight Christmas mass, but this year it will start at 8 p.m. because of the sound restriction,” Mr Barreto discloses. The first edition of the dance was held under the leadership of Mr Braulio Andrade who was the founder president of the association. The then director of the Municipal High School, the late Jaime Vila Nova Baretto, was the mentor and the driving force behind the association. The silver Jubilee of the dance was held in the year 1993 when Mr Linton Barreto was the president of the association. While the dance has all the regular novelties, prizes and surprises, the uniqueness of the show is the Lantern Dance - revellers march along the street holding lit lanterns, led by the president of the association. According to Mr Linton Baretto, in the past the association was involved in a lot of social work. Every year the association comes out with a souvenir for the dance, which happens to be the lone source of income with which to organise the show. “We do not organise the dance with an eye to make a profit but only to bring Vascoites together for the Christmas celebrations,” Mr Barreto says. Incidentally every year the dance is held at the same venue, the Mormugao Port Institute Hall. This year the association is headed by Mr Caetano Antao. The other members of the association are vice presidents Ms Fatima Fernandes and Mr Santosh Korjuvenkar, secretary, Mr Linton Barreto, joint secretary, Prakash Naik, treasurer, Anthony Rodrigues, and joint treasurer, Lawrence Rebelo. The bands in attendance for the dance are “Four Seasons” and “The Cream”. It goes without saying that Vascoites are in for a treat this Christmas as the dance will also revive sweet memories. ==================== renebarreto GOANWORLD > http://worldgoan.blogspot.com
