Pernem locals revel in Shigmo traditions

PERNEM: Starting March 21, Pernem is all set to celebrate the vibrant folk festival of Shigmo for 10 days. Known for its dynamism and energy, Shigmo blends heroic and comic elements through various temple rituals.
The heroic elements are depicted through ritual such as ghodemodni, veersbhadras, veramel, gade and talgade and the comic elements are presented through rombat, jagor, dhoolvat, dhoolivandan, etc.
In Mandrem, Palyem, Dhargalim and Pernem rombat is performed on the eight day. The celebration of Shigmo goes on for nine days, said Navnath Sopte from Mandrem, adding that the fifth day of the festival is called Rangapanchami or Holi.
It begins on phalgun poonav (full moon) proclaiming the arrival of vasant rutu (spring). This is a special day for revellers who smear gulal, playing dhols and tashas.
"We abstain from non-vegetarian food. Fasting and pujas end with a grand celebration of a colourful Shigmo," said Bharati Naik, teacher at Khalap High School, Mandrem.
"Ghodemodni is an integral part of the Shigmo celebrations. It is performed in Morjim and attracts large crowds. Wearing colorful costumes, the artistes dance holding bedecked horses called ghodemodni. They also sing folk songs as invocations to various gods and folk deities," said Vishwanath Ajgaonkar from Morjim.
Madhukar Joshi, 65, from Salgaonkarwada, Mandrem, has been playing the role of Lord Hanuman for the last four decades. "This role gives me an eternal satisfaction," he said.