Daijiworld News Network - Goa

Exclusive pics by Rajtilak Naik in Panaji

Panaji, Mar 26: Like the Carnival, the holi season in Goa brings with it the Shigmotsav.

Depiction of crocodile and elephant from mythology

The enthusiastic crowd

Float showing battle between Karna and the Pandavas

The cow float

Traditional Ghodemodani dance

Participants in the fancy dress competition

Traditional Romtamell by Bhangareshwar group of Madkai

Chapay, the traditional dance of the Dhangar community

A fancy dress competitor, and the traditional Goff dance

This festival is marked by a parade of floats mostly depicting episodes from Hindu mythology, Romtamell (local village groups walking to the beat of traditional drums), fancy dress competition and folk dances. On the whole, it is a real treat for those wishing to learn more about the Goan culture.

Shigmotsav report from Margao

From Sanjay Borkar in Margao for Daijiworld News Network - Goa with pics by Sagun Gawade

Margao: Indigenous folk dances of Goa were performed by cultural troupes to mark Shigmotsaw in Margao on Sunday. They comprised ‘Tonniamell,Tomtamell, Goff, Ghodemoddnni and much more.

Shigmo is marked by beats on Dhol (Drums), Tasso (dome snare without spring) Zanj (cymbal), delivering rhythm sound of “Ghumche Katar Ghum’, which make people to dance to the beat.

Former chief minister Manohar Parrikar flagged off the Shigmo parade of dazzling and colourful performances of folk dances, and attractive tableaux showcasing mythology of Goa, at the Holy Spirit church onward to the stage near the Municipality, Margao, at 6 in the evening.

The week, resounding with the beats of Shigmo, with throngs of foreigners and native visitors, gave Goa the real look and colour of Shigmo.

Individual artistes performed the roles of mythological, historical and anumber of goan traditional characters at the annual cultural fiesta.

The 25 floats that participated in the event dazzled the people with lighting, sound effects and facets of art.

The parade was interspersed with 35 folk dance groups performing tonnyamell, goff, Romtamell, jagor, and ghodemoddnni (horse dance).

Besides, some women performed a samai nach (lamp dance), which made a unique feature in the folk dance.