Special Correspondent
Panaji
The annual Shigmotsav Parade in Panaji will be held on D B Road this year, along the Old Secretariat up to the Old GMC Complex, on March 7. Shigmo will be celebrated from March 3 to March 8 in the city.
Earlier too, the Shigmotsav parade had been shifted from its traditional route along 18th June Road to D B Road owing to Smart City works. This year, the route has been changed following complaints from residents along 18th June Road about the intrusion caused by the parade throughout the night.
President of the Panaji Shigmotsav Samiti, Shrinivas Dempo, addressing a press conference on Monday, said that the festival of Shigmo will begin with the traditional Gulalotsav at the
Azad Maidan on March 3.
“The traditional coconut and oti will be offered to the city deity, Goddess Mahalaxmi, on Monday itself as a lunar eclipse will be witnessed on Tuesday,” he said.
Dempo also said that this year Romtamel will be restricted to 20 groups, and participating groups will be selected through a
lottery system.
The total prize money to be awarded across all categories – Chitrarath, Romtamel, folk dances and individual fancy dress – is Rs 10.57 lakh. The major contribution is from the state government as well as the private sector.
A number of cultural programmes will be held every day at Azad Maidan. Omkar Melodies Orchestra will perform on March 3, followed by a Konkani play on March 4. ‘Jallosh’, a dance programme, is scheduled for March 5, while ‘Sursangam’, a musical programme, will be held on March 6. ‘Lavanyakhani’, a Lavni programme, is scheduled for March 8. All events will begin at 7 pm.
Three local artistes will be felicitated on March 8: harmonium player Umakant Wadkar, stage artiste Surendra Volvoikar and tiatrist Maxi Pereira. One of the founders of the Samiti, Audhut Angle, will also be honoured on the occasion.
The website of the Samiti, panajishigmotsavsamiti.in, was launched on Monday
by Dempo.
