In pics: Local flavours take centrestage at Goa Carnival

The float parade in Panaji, which was held after a gap of two years, attracted tourists from across India. (Photos: Rajtilak Naik)

The festival parade kickstarted on Saturday after over an hour’s delay.

King Momo proclaimed a decree of fun and merriment for the Carnival.

The opening tableaux leading with King Momo was escorted by a convoy of the Goa police’s Pink Force.

The parade was scheduled to be flagged off at 3.30pm, but spectators were left waiting in the heat of the afternoon for the fleet of tableaux to be showcased.

This is the first time I’m seeing so many Goan elements one after another at the Carnival, a spectator said.

Kunbi dances, Corrodinho and Konkani songs blasting off floats left spectators in awe of the display of Goa’s traditional dances and music.

Apart from sporting a number of eco-friendly floats, it was replete with tableaux on pressing issues like afforestation and the urgency to save wild animals.

The Goan khaje or kadiobodio, which received Geographical Indication (GI) tag, was featured at the Panaji Carnival.

This year’s entries saw some repetitions from last year’s floats with the living man statue, the statue of Liberty and roaring wild animals’ tableaux participating yet again.

A festival float highlighting pandemic awareness was followed by a series of placards displaying messages on masking, social distancing and hand-washing.