from daijiworld's special correspondent in Panaji
Panaji, Feb 17: While Goa ushered in the Carnival festivities on Saturday, the increasing commercialization and politicization of this festival of masses is a cause of concern for many people in the state.
"The carnival is turning into Carni-war. The Carni-war is a right and judicious word to the current affairs of this festival," Perceival Noronha, a historian, termed as architect of modern carnival, stated.
The Carnival enthusiasts are disturbed over the recent fight over conducting the float parade which saw two government agencies -- Goa tourism development corporation and Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP) -- clashing with each other over rights to hold the festival.
Incidently, the traditional carnival festival is entering into the 40th year of its uninterrupted float parade. The festival is Portuguese's gift to Goa who brought it here during their 450-year-old rule.
From a small-time parade with five cars and three b ands, the float parade has turned into a major tourist attraction. The floats sum up to more than 50 and the parade continues for more than three hours. All the main cities -- Panaji, Margao, Vasco and Mapusa -- are holding the float parades besides the parade at calangute.
Noronha, former under secretary (tourism), recalls that the first carnival parade was held in portuguese regime in the year 1946. "Post-liberation, the parade was stopped considering it as a portuguese festival in the year 1961. It was a small-time parade then encompassing few cars and traditional bands," he said.
After much persuation, the parade began again in 1964. "But it lasted only for a year and stopped again," he added.
The float parade got a real start in 1967 when United Nations declared it as a year of international tourism. "The state government then gave boost to the float parade which continues even now," NOronha said adding that the glamour quotient was added to it in 1969 onwards.
Heard almost a year ago:
Goa: Concern over Crass Commercialization of Carnival