DRMumbai: Float dancer Bruno Azaredo has been selected as King Momo, the mythical king, for this year’s Goa Carnival slated to begin next month. The erstwhile Portuguese colony is getting ready for the annual event, to be held from February 10-13, which is marked by the parade of floats in various cities. King Momo is considered the king of Carnivals in numerous Latin American festivities.
During the Carnival, King Momo is symbolically given the key of Goa during the festivities marked by gaiety and extravaganza. Azaredo, 57, a cosmetic developer, has been performing on floats that are taken out during the Carnival parade since 1979. As the King Momo, he will declare the decree of “Eat, Drink and make Merry” for the coastal state, which marks the beginning of the Carnival.
The mythological figure symbolically rules Goa for the four days during carnival festivities and also heads the float parades in all the cities, beginning from Panaji. Azaredo said, “I have been in this industry for a long time. If you see the pictures of the carnival for the years 2011 and 2012, you will find me dancing with troupes on the King Momo float”. The state Tourism Department last evening picked Azaredo from a number of entries. “I don’t think you can dance with such a huge dress on the float after being King Momo, but certainly I would not be able to stop myself and will dance to the rhythm of music,” he quipped.
