Porvorim to Host Shigmo Celebration with Romtamel and Folk Performances on March 15

Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

The vibrant spirit of Shigmo will come alive in Porvorim on March 15 as the community gathers for its annual celebration at Shivaji Maharaj Chowk. The event will begin with an inauguration scheduled for 4:00 PM and will be held under the leadership of Goa Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaunte along with Saligao constituency MLA Kedar Naik.

Speaking ahead of the celebrations, Khaunte said that Shigmo represents the vibrant cultural identity and community spirit of Goa. He added that celebrations like the one in Porvorim provide an important platform for traditional art forms such as Romtamel and folk dances while bringing people together in the true festive spirit of the state.

The event is being organised by the Porvorim Shigmo Committee with active participation from local members and volunteers. Over the years, the celebration has grown into a cherished cultural gathering where residents of Porvorim and nearby areas come together to celebrate Goa’s rich traditions.

Due to traffic congestion caused by ongoing flyover construction work in the area, the organising committee has decided not to include Shigmo floats this year. Instead, the focus will remain on traditional cultural performances, including Romtamel presentations, folk dances and fancy dress competitions, allowing visitors to enjoy uninterrupted performances highlighting Goa’s folk heritage.

To encourage participation and recognise performers, the committee has also announced honorariums and prizes. Each Romtamel participant will receive ₹5,000, while folk dance participants will receive ₹2,000 each.

For the Romtamel competition, the first prize is ₹35,000, followed by ₹20,000 for second place and ₹15,000 for third place, along with six consolation prizes of ₹4,000 each. The folk dance competition will offer ₹20,000 for first prize, ₹15,000 for second prize and ₹10,000 for third prize, along with six consolation prizes of ₹4,000 each.

In the senior fancy dress competition, the first prize is ₹7,000, the second prize ₹5,000 and the third prize ₹4,000, with four consolation prizes of ₹1,000 each. The junior fancy dress competition will award ₹5,000 for first place, ₹4,000 for second place and ₹3,000 for third place, along with two consolation prizes of ₹500 each.

The Porvorim Shigmo celebration continues to be an important cultural highlight for the local community, reflecting the enthusiasm and collective participation that keep Goa’s traditional festivals alive.