Margao’s all-women group set to electrify Goa Shigmo

It’s almost 5 pm and 73-year-old Mahananda Karapurkar is already at the practice ground, getting set for the Shigmo dance parade rehearsals. You read that right, she’s 73, and she’ll be dancing in this year's Shigmo parade.

And, she won’t be alone. For, despite the heat and the unpleasant weather, 147 other women of all ages, have gathered around the Sai Baba Temple in Malbat, Margao, for two hours of rigorous practice.

This is the first time that a group as big as this will be participating in the once male-dominated Shigmo parades, scheduled to be held from March 15 to 29 in all major towns of Goa, starting at Ponda, and followed by Margao.

On International Women’s Day, Gomantak Times Digital spoke to these women, who, wearing sarees and sports shoes, are prepping up to make a difference and shatter the glass ceiling.

Excited to begin practice, Mahananda strides forward and confirms what we had already surmised, that she is the oldest among the members of the Kalashri Mahila Shigmotsav Mandal.

“I love to dance, and this gives me an opportunity to dance my heart out,” says Mahananda, as she gets ready for the dance practice, her saree tightened and sports shoes laced up.

She adds, “I wake up everyday at 5 am, and make sure that all my housework is done. I live close by, so in the evenings, I keep tea and snacks ready for my family. After that, my husband drops me here for practice sessions, and comes to pick me up by 7 pm,” says Mahananda, as her friends shout out that she is a fantastic dancer and has the ability to dance for hours.

As more women arrive at the venue, Shubham Subhash Naik, dhol-tasha instructor, who is currently training the ladies, explained that he had to segregate them based on their interests.

“I had to separate those who wanted to be in the parade, and those who wanted to be in the band. Everything has been planned from the initial stages and we are doing very well," he explains.

“Before we started, I informed the participants that this musical journey will need dedication and coordination, which will take them almost a month to perfect,” says Shubham, who started the practice sessions some 15-20 days ago.

It is a joint effort, too, with husbands and sons taking over a few responsibilities while their womenfolk try something different and unique.

This is an initiative, spearheaded by Usha Kamat, who along with other women, started the group.

“We were approached by Usha Kamat who was excited for women to set-up their Shigmo group. She also took it upon herself to get an instructor and sarees for all the members of the mandal,” says Deepa Shirodkar, a troupe member.

They plan to wear traditional nauvari sarees at the parade along with nath (nose ring) and other ornaments.

“It will be easier to dance in a saree draped in that style, while the girls playing the dhol and tashas will be wearing salwar kameez as it will be easier for them to concentrate on the instruments,” says Deepa.

Among the troupe of dancers and percussionists are Luisa Morrias and Shireen Khan. “Dance knows no boundaries, and this is what we are here for,” says Luisa. 

Just as these women from Margao have pioneered their way into this traditionally male field, many others are steadily carving their own niche doing what they enjoy best.