The four-day Carnival festival kicks off in Goa with a float parade in major cities. And, there is active participation from floats in various categories, including commercial, traditional, junk, and individual.
Colourful floats parading on city roads are typical of Carnival festivities in the state. Both Goans and tourists, local and international, join in the fun and excitement with enthusiasm.
The spirit of Carnival is mostly depicted through the vibrant floats making their way from the villages to the cities. The active participation of teenagers, young adults, and the elderly adds to the joy of the event, boosting both engagement and viewership.
Some of the animated theme-based floats also call for introspection on environmental, social and family issues. The age-old traditions of the Goan community, which are currently on the brink of extinction, also find a prominent position in the float parade.
Zomnivhele fell (folk plays) is a term which is synonymous with Carnival festivities in Goa.
VILLAGE CARNIVAL
In villages, especially in Salcete taluka, there’s another lively activity, which catches the eyes of spectators and passers-by. Zomnivhele fell (folk plays) is a term which is synonymous with Carnival festivities in Goa. These folk plays are enjoyed by the young and the old in different corners of the villages.
Zomnivhele fell, as they are called, are presented not on a stage, but on a flat surface. Presentation of three folk plays of 30-45 minutes duration each is the uniqueness of this age-old traditional art passed on by the ancestors.
The themes of these folk plays cover a wide range of topics, including family, social, and religious issues that affect society today. And, apart from enactment by the artistes, the rest of the delivery and message is done through renditions in the form of cantos.
Tiatrs on the Konkani stage carry only 3 or 4 cantos in the entire presentation. But, a zomivhele fell has only one opening song, followed by numerous cantos, performed by artistes in the folk play.
A zomivhele fell has only one opening song, followed by numerous cantos, performed by artistes in the folk play.
As most of zomnivhele fells orginate in the Salcete taluka, the Saxtti dialect is mostly used in such folk plays, thus amusing and entertaining the audience. Before the commencement of the folk plays at a particular venue, an announcement via a vehicle, which automatically draws enthusiastic crowds from all over.
Earlier, the band in a zomnivhele fell comprised only blowing instruments and drums. But today, keyboards and bass also make their presence felt in these traditional folk plays.
PROFESSIONAL SCENE
After organising the annual competition of zomnivhele fell for almost 13 years, this year, the Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) has decided to hold a mere presentation of folk plays and reward all the participants.
This wise decision was taken by the officials of TAG this year so as to avoid any controversy over the distribution of prizes to the winners.
After organising the annual competition of zomnivhele fell for almost 13 years, this year, the Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) has decided to hold a mere presentation of folk plays and reward all the participants.
One of the leading folk play directors, Xavier de Maina, is geared up with three folk plays this year and his entire family, including wife and three children, will be part of his troupe.
His association with folk plays dates back to 1985, while his involvement with the zomnivhele fell grew even stronger in 1999 when he started penning and staging his own plays, which he does till date.
Another director of zomnivhele fell is Curtorim-based Luis Azavedo, who has 36 folk plays to his credit, and has been penning and staging his folk plays since 2013.
Last year, he took a break, but this year, he is making a comeback with 3 folk plays and the participation of artistes, which includes university students.