CANACONA
Residents of Canacona began the three-day carnival revelry with the traditional flavour of Intruz-Mel in various parts of the taluka.
Mel, a group of youngsters of respective wards playing different traditional musical instruments went from house to house, singing traditional songs as the rich cultural heritage 'Intruz' began the three-day revelry on Sunday.
In Agonda alone at least three ward groups, revelling in traditional costumes and playing traditional Dhol-Tanshe and Kansali, hit onto the streets visiting their members' houses on the first of the three-day festival.
Interestingly, the traditional 'intruz' which was virtually dwindling in the 1990s has been revived only in recent years, including in two municipal areas of Canacona, besides the rural parts of Agonda, parts of Loliem-Polem, Poinguinim and Shristhal, particularly in areas predominant with the Catholic community.
As part of 'intruz' celebrations, the groups/Mel visit houses and Mands, while they hold prayers at Chapels and Holy Crosses in Agonda, Loliem, Galgibaga, Ponsulem, Bhatpal which are some of the areas having large Catholic residents who also plan to revive the age-old tradition of 'intruz' in their localities.
Some of the wards, however, decided not to take out Mel due the ongoing Covid crisis, while the wards celebrating the carnival has also planned lunch parties on the second and third days of 'intruz'.
At the beats of Dhol-Tanshe, 2-3 folk songs are played at each of the households as part of 'intruz' celebrations.
