The carnival comes to town in Melbourne reports FRANKEY GERALD FERNANDES
The Konkanni Cultural & Heritage Inc. (KCHI) in Melbourne enjoyed festive celebrations at The Royal Red and Black Carnival Dance cum exhibition of Goan cartoons by renowned cartoonist Alexyz Fernandes, chief guest for the event.
Goans living in Victoria came together to experience the Goan carnival and share the spirit of their fair state back in India with their families and other Australian friends.
“The Goan Carnival is one of the biggest events in Goa and each year, the Konkanni Cultural & Heritage brings in the spirit of the carnival to all who are away from their homeland,” stated Mario Carvalho, chief organiser of the event.
Chief Guest Goan Cartoonist Alexyz Fernandes was all praise for the Goan community and the efforts made to promote Goa down under.
The carnival is a tradition and celebration of merry making and feasting before the beginning of Lent, which is a time of sacrifice and prayer.
At the carnival, five decorated floats with a variety of participants of various age groups all dressed in vibrant, colourful costumes depicted Goa’s culture and its themes.
Each float was unique and boasted of a specific theme such as Goan cuisine, tourists to Goa, past and present Goan music, among others. The floats were very impressive and exuded sheer grandeur and a spirit of celebration that is truly Goan.
Members and their guests danced to the music of Coda Mix, a renowned Anglo-Indian band based in Australia.
Earlier, chief coordinator Mario Carvalho welcomed the gathering and listed the highlights of the KCHI, assuring the gathering that there would be many such events to promote Indian and Goan culture. Jude and Saroj D’Sa provided the mouth-watering snacks and meal, while Royden and Lidia Rodrigues, Vernon and Corryne Da Gama, Simon and Nancy Mendonsa and Ursula Fernandes along with Chinky Carvalho, coordinated the floats parade.
The event was hosted by Titus Fernandes. The traditional King Momo accompanied by his Queen made their presence felt with the King reading out his decree to carry on the party during the carnival period and enjoy life like a true Goan now settled in Australia.