Shigmo Dance is a religious Hindu festival filled with colours, music, dance and floats. It tells us the life of Goan in detailed about the traditional folk dances which are performed on the streets by the large number of dancers dancing in the same direction as it is a tradition of Goa.
Shigmo Dance is also known for describing the importance of Goa’s favourite spring festival on the streets all across the state. Shigmo cloth is made with a special Goan fabric. The streets of Goa come to life during Shigmotsav with Dhol and huge Floats. They neatly light up with attractive decorations.
It is important that the Shigmo dance is performed to celebrate the upcoming of the spring season. It is a form of religious ceremony in the month of March. Every festival day is associated with the performance of a particular songs and dances with colourful outfits, holding multi coloured flags and playing large musical instruments like the Dhol Tasha across all the cities.
During celebration of Shigmotsav everyone dresses up themselves in saffron. The majority of skits presented during Shigmo has recreate some of the most important events from Indian cultural tradition.
People performed or dressed themselves in ancient epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata. Some of the people also take out their time to participate in Fancy Dress competition by various characters relating to the religious. During Shigmotsav, kids and even some adults work together in making paper idols work and doing other known characters from Indian cultural traditions.
The most popular among these paper idols is Ravana, who is a primary character in the ancient Hindu Ramayana or the King Narkasur who was killed by Lord Krishna in Mahabharata.
The best part of Shigmo dance is that it is very cheerful and lively and most joy able part is the tradition of covering each other with coloured powder and bright paints by showing one another their gladness of spring season.
The instruments played by them like beats of Dhol, Tasha and Cymbals. Shigmotsav parades are done continue in various rural areas over a fortnight period for all most 14 days. Even girls participate in playing various instruments.
All the floats go on till late night by loud cheering, even as the participants show no sign of tiring. All the participants have a good talent, spirit and put up a lot of efforts that has its roots in culture and tradition.
