MARGAO
The commercial capital will see the revival of the Carnival on the streets this year with the Margao Fatorda Carnival Committee bracing up to host a three-day of carnival fiesta at the Opinion Poll Square, even as it promised to maintain the traditional Intruz by staging khell tiatr in all the Municipal wards.
Perhaps for the first time, around 13 starred resorts will set up their hospitality lounge for the tourists along the float parade route at the Opinion Poll Square. Goa’s nightingale will perform live at the Carnival on Sunday at 7 pm after the float parade. While Colombo-based Slipping Chairs will be in action on Saturday, a host of popular Goan bands will be in attendance on all the three days, from February 11-13.
While ‘We for Fatorda’ has planned the Big Fat Fatorda Carnival Blast 2018 on Saturday at the Opinion Poll Square, the Margao Fatorda Carnival Committee has planned a series of events beginning with the Carnival float parade at the same square on Sunday at 4 pm.
Addressing the media in the presence of Margao Municipal Council Chairperson Babita Prabhudesai, Margao Fatorda Carnival Committee Chairperson Peter Fernandes, president of the Organising Committee Russell and councillors, TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai said an earnest attempt is being made this year to hold the carnival festivities differently. “Around 25 years ago, street dance was the feature of the Carnival festivities in the commercial capital. We are reviving the street dance carnival by holding the three-day programme at the Opinion Poll Square. “There’s no entry fee for all the three days where people can join in the celebrations, laugh and be merry,” he said.
Sardesai, however, said that care has been taken to maintain the traditional Intruz in the city. “The traditional khell tiatr, which is the essence of Intruz, will be staged in all the 25 municipal wards. Besides, a host of Konkani programmes are lined during the three days of Carnival festivities, with Lorna performing live on Sunday. This year, we have made an attempt to revive the street dance and get tourists. At the same time, the traditional Intruz will not get diluted,” he said.
The TCP Minister said that Goa’s topmost bands will be in attendance on all the three days of Carnival festivities at the Opinion Poll Square. “The Opinion Poll Square road will be closed for traffic on all the three days in the evenings,” he said.
Explaining the concept of roping in the starred hotels for this year’s carnival festivities, Sardesai said the hotels will bring their guests for the float parade and they will be allowed to set up a lounge. “They will sell hotel snacks and food at the stall, which will be open for everyone,” he added.
