A few days before Diwali, children from every village in thestate start making effigies of Narkasur. They try to make them as lifelike yetmonstrous as possible. After terrorizing the neighbours with banging drums allnight, these effigies are burnt in the wee hours of the morning on Diwali day.
Over the last few decades, many Narkasur competitions havebeen organised all over Goa in which youngsters as well as little clubs takepart. Shrikant Sawant of Sai Kala Mandal from Marcel says, “We start the actualprocess of making Narkasur just two-three days prior to Diwali.
Since we have the metal skeleton ready, it doesn’t take muchtime for the remaining process.”
The Narkasur effigies on display depict their makers’creativity, but come at a price. It costs approximately 1000-1500 for making amedium sized (eight foot tall) Narkasur, excluding the cost of the metalskeleton which itself costs around 30,000.
Many clubs participate in these competitions. Most in the hopethat their efforts will be rewarded via the cash prizes on offer. The Narkasurcompetition is a great attraction for tourists visiting Goa at this time ofyear.
Narkasurs competitions are exclusive to Goa and not found inany other part of the country. Prizes range anywhere from 10,000 to 25,000 forthe effigy that wins first place.
Rahul Naik , an artist from Marcel finds himself busier thanever at this time. “I am one of the artists sought after for the masks of theNarkasur and I am flooded with orders for the same,” he says as he gets back towork.
