Sezvin Fernandes
In the coastal village of Betul, the annual Betulkarancho Carnaval — also known locally as Carnaval, Malh and Intruz — continues to bring together generations in a celebration rooted in faith, music and community bonding.
The festivities are held on the first Sunday before Ash Wednesday and continue for three days, but preparations begin much earlier.
In the weeks leading up to the festival, participants turn their attention to the musical instruments that form the heart of the celebration. Tasha, drums, ghumat and brass finger cymbals, locally known as kasal, are carefully cleaned, repaired and tuned. The sound of these instruments sets the rhythm of the Carnaval and ensures that each performance carries the distinctive beat associated with Betul’s tradition.
The celebration formally begins with a customary ritual known as ‘Dolar Bodi Marop’, meaning striking the stick on the drum. The ceremony is held at a traditional site called the ‘maand’. It opens with a prayer seeking blessings for the smooth conduct of the festivities. An elder or designated member then strikes the drum or ghumat, marking the official start of the Carnaval. Soon after, musicians join in, filling the area with rhythmic beats that signal the beginning of three days of music and movement.
As the days draw closer, anticipation builds across the ward. Many residents who work outside the village or abroad make it a point to return home to take part in the festivities. During the celebrations, the ward and neighbouring areas echo with music, drawing villagers and visitors to witness the performances.
A central feature of Betulkarancho Carnaval is the group’s visits to houses within their ‘vadde’.
Hosts welcome the participants, join the dancing
and offer sweets. Before leaving, the group sings a thanksgiving song as a mark of appreciation.
Traditional Carnaval songs are sung during these visits, accompanied by simple yet energetic dance steps. Instruments are often exchanged among participants, encouraging wider involvement. At times, special songs linked to a host family are performed.
Elders recall that in earlier decades, participants would travel across the entire village, staying away from home for two days and receiving food and shelter from the households they visited. With the increase in the number of houses over the years, visits are now largely limited to families originally belonging to Betul and Mudkud wards.
Despite the physical effort involved in walking several kilometres over three days, participants continue the tradition with commitment.
For Betul, the Carnaval remains a reflection of shared heritage and enduring social ties.
