The Goa government has rightly decided to reduce funding for the carnaval bash in Goa. It is wrongly presumed to be a Christian festival prior to the period of lent and penance. It is the State that has exploited this tradition by excessively allocating state resources to it and shigmo to attract tourists. In fact the shigmo parade is artistic, elaborate in its display of mythical characters and conveying a pure message of culture, religious tradition of significance. The original carnival was confined to villages only and mostly in the south Goa. It was time for country plays staged in different villages. The use of cocotes (powder missiles, and throwing of quality powder) was an annoyance, tolerated in spirit of fun. People used to dress colourfully, go on serenading, wear masks, distribute sweets, also collect money by sales. The govt capitalized on it as street tamasha on the lines of carnival in Brazil to exploit its potential for tourism. The reign of King Momo and his decree of unrestricted merriment with food and drink was a small affair and limited to the city of Panaji.
