Leisure & Tourism
Project 1

Topic: Pull factor attracting tourists for Carnival in Goa

CARNIVAL
Carnival is Goa's most famous festival and has been celebrated since the 18th century. Meant to be a feasting-drinking-merrymaking orgy just before the 40 days of Lent; a time of abstinence and spirituality. Huge parades through the cities are organized with bands, floats and dances and balls in the evenings. The final day concludes with the famous Red-and-Black dance held by the Clube Nacional in Panjim.

The origins of carnival are apparently the hedonistic feasts of ancient Rome and Greece. It made its appearance in the Spanish and Portuguese colonies, where it metamorphosed into the very Latin singing-dancing-drinking bouts. The carnival is presided over by King Momo, who on the opening day orders his subjects to party. The festival attracts thousands of tourists.

The exciting and fun-filled three-day non-stop extravaganza of fun, frolic, song, music and dance that is uniquely Goan is a Pagan festival popular in Latin American countries that were colonies of Portugalatsomepointintime.

The Carnival is uniquely Goan and is not celebrated anywhere else in India. It is a typical Latin, song, music and dance and precedes the "Lent". The highlight of the exotic frenzy of merriment is the appointment and arrival of “KING MOMO” and his retinue to the capital city Panaji on "Fat Saturday", the eve of Carnival.

The procession is flocked by dancers, bands of troubadours dressed up as fortune tellers, hawkers, women, and older men in funny clothes. In earlier times the procession was characterized by mock battles among boys and men with fake cartridges stuffed with colored powder called cocotes, and chaff filled bombs. Crackers thrown in gay abandon keep rhythm with the beats of the drums. The carnival also passed for the most convenient setting to profess one’s love for a girl.The carnival comes to an end with the famous red and black dance where women dressed in red tops and black skirts and men in red shirts and black trousers dance with bands in a colorful procession.
They form the head of a parade of colorful floats and troupes of masked revelers attired in gorgeous costumes singing and dancing in gay abandon to lively music that is usually performed live. The best floats are given handsome prizes.

The floats have in recent years been commercially sponsored. Carnival is also celebrated in the Goan countryside by the Christian populace and is called ‘Intruz’.It assumes a unique form of creative spontaneity wherein folk songs/Cantars are sung from door to door in villages by troupes of mainly Christian peasants inviting everyone to join in the celebration.
The preparations for the carnival begin from December. And even a week before the carnival, a few boys and girls dressed up in masks call upon their friends while playing on the banter. This was known as assoltes and the guests were entertained with drinks and snacks to set the mood for the carnival.The carnival festivities marked my drinking and dance and music carry on till very late in the night before the day dawns into Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.
Goa Carnival Speciality
The one-act folk plays known as Khell or Fell take on exciting colors during the carnival in Chandor where Intruzachim Geetam or Fella-Gitam are sung by the walking-players that go about the village, with accompaniment of musical instruments. The sound of violins, drums, cymbals, ghumats (a Goan percussion instrument), saturate the air. The Fell is known for its cutting and sarcastic criticism aimed at correcting human follies, and is usually comic in nature.
The dolkas, a sort of rustic drum, acts as the mainspring or director of the play, punctuating the story, whereas the whistle of the mestri (producer like) serves as the curtain-raiser to the play.
Certain hotels in Goa also arrange for special celebrations for their guests during the carnival. Hotels and tickets need to be booked in advance as a mad rush of tourists make accommodation scarce and expensive.
The Pull Factor Attracting Tourists to Goa during Carnival season
To people around the globe, late February and early March ushers in the season of Carnival. Masques, parades, colorful street party and dance show all club together with a mood of celebration and freedom to form a Carnival. India too hosts a brilliant carnival at none other than the mesmerizing destination, a favorite of all – Goa. Held in the months of February-March (this year it’s going to be from 1st-4th March, 2014), Goa attracts record tourist enthusiasts to this festival. Let’s check out some tidbits regarding what makes it the grandest festival in India.
1. Enjoy, Enjoy and Just Enjoy
The idea of having a carnival at the onset of spring is to revitalize the lives and spirits of the people. The colorful atmosphere, the live band performances, the street dances, the food, drinks and mostly, the happiness and glee rejuvenate all your anxieties with the festive fervor, and makes you forget all the dilemmas in which each of us are entangled! And, the best thing about it all is, you don’t just witness these events, but participate in the madness as well!
2. No Entry Fee
That festivals must be enjoyed by all is one of the mottos of the Goa Carnival, and it is for this specific reason that participation in the carnival comes at no cost at all. In fact, the strategic route taken by the Carnival ensures that all the people, even those who cannot participate, get to, at least, visualize this festival, and in the process take part in them. It is also for this reason that the Goa Festival is a favorite time for foreign tourists as well. It is also regarded as one of the best occasion to meet and know new people around the globe. And, are you still looking a better reason behind its fame far and wide?
3. A Place for Family and Friends
The idea of taking part in carnival always results in an innate guilt of not being able to take the family around. Well, this must be the case with the other carnivals around the globe, but not with the Goa Carnival. People from all age groups and societies participate in the Goa Carnival making it one of the biggest hits around the globe! In fact, the carnival authorities see to it that the carnival doesn’t become an odd place for any person. The colorful clothes, music, masquerades and dances become an endearing watch to the toddlers too!
4. A Unique Blend of Tradition and Modernism
We all know about Goa’s rich Portuguese heritage, but due to the ensuing of commercialism, this rich traditional heritage isn’t quite seen much. However, Goa revitalizes up with a renewed energy during this time of the year in its most traditional form. You can savor traditional Goan food and drinks while tapping your feet to a local Goan band’s music. All these are interspersed by the very modern and chic fashion shows and DJ Nights which bring on a different hue to the festival altogether. So, if you want to experience this unique identity of Goa, you must visit the Carnival sooner!
5. Best Way to Know the Area
As it’s with carnivals, they don’t stay put at a specific place (like fairs and other festivals), but move around a specific area merrymaking and performing shows. However, the best thing about the Goa Carnival is that it travels around Goa—starting from the capital city of Panaji through the beautiful Margao to the more ethnic Vasco and Mapusa. Besides, the carnival takes a very interesting route, it goes through the lanes and alleys, which otherwise remain unknown to the tourists. Hence, if you want to “cultivate” Goa properly, then there’s no time better than the Carnival period. Added to the exploration, the umpteen merrymaking and fun is always an added bonus!