PANAJI
The parish of Sant Rita de Casscia, Camurlim celebrated the San Joao- Copelam festival on Sunday. Several competitions were organised such as Treasure-hunt, Mehendi, Umbrella painting, Cantaram singing, and the traditional Copelam contest. The Copelam Fest witnessed the villagers wearing colourful wreaths and dancing to the tunes of traditional songs. Traditional San Joao songs were sung by Elton Simoes. The chief guest of the function was FC Goa defender Serition Fernandes who was welcomed by Fr Roman Rodrigues, Parish Priest of St Rita Church, Camurlim. A host of competitions (inter-somudai) were held ranging from copelam (wreaths), traditional dances, cantaram, groupie and the playing of the ghumott. Folk dances like the dhalo and fuggdi were presented by the locals and students from St Xavier’s College. St Rita’s somudai were declared the overall winners of the competition. The event was conceptualised by the parish priest of Sant Rita Church, Fr Roman Rodrigues.
