An Intruz troupe from Parvem ward during a performance in Agonda on Sunday.
CANACONA
The famed Agonda coast has come alive and it has nothing to do with tourism, but the three-day traditional 'Intruz' festivities which are part of Carnival celebrations in Canacona.
While Carnival floats have been mainly restricted to major cities in the State, beginning with the Capital City on Saturday, the traditional Intruz celebrations began in Agonda on Sunday, with some of groups taking out the 'Mell' (folk troupes) after the Sunday Masses.
In Agonda, as many as five different ‘Mell’ were taken out from their respective 'Mands' located in their wards.
The 'Mell', which largely comprises locals from the wards, visits houses of their members in the ward or on invitation to other houses in the village.
The Mell play the 'Dhol', 'Tanso' and 'Kansali', the traditional instruments during Intruz, at various houses in the ward. However, when families are in mourning, these Mell do not play at their houses, but instead pray for the departed souls.
The group also conducts a prayer service and performs at Chapels or Crosses in the ward.
"After a performance, families usually offer the Mell snacks and soft drinks, while other families who have specially invited them to perform, will make a financial contribution," explains a resident from Agonda.
"There are about the six Intruz troupes in Agonda village alone and they have kept this lovely and lively Goan tradition alive," he adds.
The three-day Intruz celebrations culminate by Tuesday midnight, on the eve of Ash Wednesday.
Besides Agonda, some of Intruz troupes at Ponsulem, Bhatpal, Galgibaga, Chiplem and Loliem-Polem continue to keep this Goan tradition alive by taking out 'Mell' as part of Intruz celebrations.
Besides the Intruz celebrations in Agonda, award-winning folk plays 'Puth', 'Ghorabo' and 'Samballta' by Kalliz de Orlim will be performed at three different places in Agonda on Monday Karashir-Moll B (3 pm), Karashir-Moll A (6 pm) and St Anne's Agonda Church ground (9 pm).
The script for the plays and lyrics have been provided by Antonete de Orlim. The plays also feature local talent from Agonda, Delington Monteiro and Melban Fernandes.
