MARGAO
As the stage is set to usher in the three-day carnival festivities, Saxtti countryside too is bracing up to soak in the traditional carnival fiesta across the villages.
Traditional Mel
If the riverine villages of Velim, Ambelim and Assolna will keep their date with the traditional carnival “Mel” (procession), Dandeavaddo in Chinchinim is set to maintain the rich tradition of staging carnival khells, believed to have been started by the elders over six decades ago, on all three days of carnival festivities. After the Covid pandemic break, traditional carnival festivities are also set to reverberate to the chants of Viva Carnival around Saxtti’s countryside, along the coastal belt, right from Benaulim to Cavelossim, besides the interiors of the taluka.
The carnival “Mel”(procession) is a tradition that the people of Velim, Ambelim and Assolna keep date during carnival. People of all ages partake in the Mel, wherein revellers attired in colourful costumes move around the wards in processions. It’s common to find boys dressed up as girls participating in the Mel as the procession wends its way along the predetermined route.
Sources informed that each ward plays host to its own Mel at a common place locally known as Maand, where a lamp is being lit and a flag hoisted at the Maand. As per the tradition, the Mel processions head to the Baradi hillock to offer prayers at the cross.
Sources, however, said though the tradition is kept alive even today, the carnival Mel is being held on a lesser scale compared to the past, due to a host of factors.
Says Velim MLA Cruz Silva: “The carnival Mel is a tradition that has been followed even today though on a lesser scale in the villages of Velim, Ambelim and Assolna during the three-day festivities. The Mel from various wards follows a system wherein they head to the Baradi hillock to offer prayers.”
Khell tiatr
Dandeavaddo in Chinchinim follows a rich custom wherein the ward plays host to carnival khell plays on all three days. Believed to have been started over six decades ago, the Dandeavaddo carnival is hosting the khell plays for the 62nd year this time. Resident of Dandeavaddo, Joe Dias pointed out that directors of carnival khell tiatr stage their plays every year.
"This has been a long tradition started by our elders. The directors are paid for the khell tiatr through contributions from the people,” he said.
As one moves towards the coastal belt, hectic preparations are underway to host the traditional carnival festivities. In Benaulim, the United Club of Benaulim is gearing up for the traditional carnival procession cum floats. Fisherman Pele Fernandes pointed out that the club will be hosting the carnival festivities for the 32nd year. “We could not hold carnival celebrations during the Covid pandemic. This year, we have decided to organize the festivities in a grand manner,” he said.
Reviving tradition
Cavelossim sarpanch Dixon Vaz said people of the coastal village will revive the traditional carnival this time round. “People from all wards will participate in the festivities, wherein people attired in colourful costumes showcasing the rich culture and tradition will walk on the streets from Cavelossim to Mobor,” Dixon said.
While Saxttikars are expected to keep a date with the Margao carnival float parade in the commercial capital on Sunday, a host of traditional festivities and events line up in the interior of the villages across the minority-dominated taluka.
