UpdateBot at 08:17, 13 June 2022

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{{short description|New year festival held at Kochi, Kerala}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{Infobox festival
| name = Cochin Carnival
| image = Thoppumpady harbour bridge.jpg
| caption = Welcome sign to the event at harbour bridge
| location = [[Fort Kochi]], [[Kochi]], [[Kerala]]
| years_active = 1984-present
| founders_name =
| frequency =Annually
| dates = 23 December to 1 January
| website =
}}
'''Cochin Carnival''' is an entertainment event held every year in the last week of December at [[Fort Kochi]] in the city of [[Kochi]], [[Kerala]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Cochin celebration and carnival 2016|url=http://english.mathrubhumi.com/travel/kerala/kerala-events/cochin-carnival-1.33994| publisher= Mathrubhumi| accessdate=20 June 2016}}</ref> This event is held mostly during the last two weeks of December and finally ends on 1 January. It is officially inaugurated with hoisting the Indian national flag at the [[Vasco da Gama]] Square.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cochin Carnival Today|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/151213/nation-current-affairs/article/cochin-carnival-today| newspaper=Deccan Chronicle | date=13 December 2015 | accessdate=3 May 2018}}</ref>

The main highlight of the carnival is the massive procession on the New Year's Day, led by [[elephants]] in ornamental trappings. North Indian dances are a part of the procession. It is a combination of different cultures like [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]], [[Gujarati people|Gujarati]], [[Punjabis|Punjabi]], [[Malayalee]], [[Kannada]], [[Arab]], [[Dutch people|Dutch]], and [[Anglo Indian]] culture.<ref>{{cite web |title=It is carnival time in Kochi again|date=25 December 2013|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/131225/lifestyle-offbeat/article/it-carnival-time-kochi-again| publisher= Deccan Chronicle| accessdate=15 January 2016}}</ref>

Many competitions like beach bike race, [[beach football]], [[wrestling]], [[boxing]], cycle race, bullet race, [[kayaking]], swimming and [[marathon]] races are held.<ref>{{cite web |title=All you need to know about Kerala's vibrant cultural festival|url=http://travel.india.com/articles/cochin-carnival-in-kerala-2015-all-you-need-to-know-about-it/| publisher= travel India| accessdate=20 June 2016}}</ref> Art shows, food festivals, colourful rallies and fairs add to the festive spirit of the carnival. The main principles promoted during the festival are Participation, [[Peace]], Progress, Adventure and Environment. The city is decorated with white paper buntings, especially the Kochi Fort. The white colour is dominant in all decorations which symbolizes peace and [[tranquillity]].<ref>{{cite web |title=cochin-carnival|url=http://www.cochin.org.uk/fairs-and-festivals/cochin-carnival.html| publisher= Cochin.org| accessdate=10 April 2016}}</ref>

Kochi Fort is the center of all the activities that take place at the time of the Cochin Carnival. It is promoted by the district tourism promotion council.<ref>{{cite web |title=cochin-carnival|url=http://www.webindia123.com/city/kerala/kochi-ernakulam/destinations/fairs-festivals/cochin-carnival.htm| publisher= Web india123| accessdate=20 June 2016}}</ref>

==History==
In 1984, three youngsters from Cochin - Ananda Felix Scaria (Ananda Surya), George Augustine Thundiparambil (Roy) and Antony Anup Scaria (Anoop) decided to organise a beach festival with a programme at the [[Mahatma Gandhi beach]] to celebrate the signing of a UN proclamation mandating 1985 as the [[International Youth Year]].<ref>{{cite web |title=International Youth Year|date=9 March 2012|url=https://www.bic.org/statements/international-youth-year| publisher= Bic| accessdate=2 February 2016}}</ref> They were supported by 150 youth groups of various clubs and organizations. Some of the other names associated with the first Carnival are Nirmal John Augustine, Radha Gomathi and [[Abul Kalam Azad (photographer)]], who later became an active member of the team and has many images from the first carnival, that are being archived by [[Ekalokam Trust for Photography]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/cochin-carnival-at-30/article6748833.ece|title=Cochin Carnival at 30|newspaper=The Hindu|date=2 January 2015|last1=Pradeep|first1=K.|last2=S|first2=Priyadershini}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Celebrating Mattancherry|url=http://photomail.org/online/celebrating-mattancherry/ |publisher= PhotoMail}}</ref>

This program started during the second week of December 1984 with a cycle race followed by other local ethnic games like [[kabaddi]], [[tug of war]], [[kalari]], [[kuttiyum kolum]], Kalam Vara (floor drawing) etc. The event ended on 1 January 1985 with a procession with a massive rally including caparisoned elephants accompanied by [[Panchavadyam]], called ‘Carnivale Cochin’. Gradually, it took the form of what is today called the Cochin Carnival.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cochin Carnival at 30|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/cochin-carnival-at-30/article6748833.ece| work= The Hindu|date=2 January 2015| accessdate=20 June 2016|last1=Pradeep|first1=K.|last2=S|first2=Priyadershini}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Carnivals-fairs|url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/kerala/kochi-cochin/events/carnivals-fairs/cochin-carnival#ixzz4C6Do6NlR| publisher= Lonely Planet| accessdate=20 June 2016}}</ref>

==Highlights==

===Papanhi===
{{main|Pappanji}}
Papanhi is a giant statue of an old man.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Year 2016 Celebrations in Kerala|url=http://irisholidays.com/keralatourism/new-year-2016-celebrations-in-kerala/| publisher= Irish Holidays| accessdate=5 March 2016}}</ref> Papanhi is burned exactly at stroke of midnight signifies the end of a passing year and welcome New Year. This symbolises the burning of all the ills and beginning on a new note. This is followed by gala party with dance and music till morning. The origin of this custom remains ambiguous.<ref>{{cite news |title='Papaanji' burns out with a dying year|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/papaanji-burns-out-with-a-dying-year/article2767618.ece| work= The hindu|date=2 January 2012| accessdate=20 June 2016}}</ref>

Before this became a part of the Carnival, the local clubs had Papanhi festivities all over the area. It merged with the carnival and the legend too grew. The {{lang|pt|papanhi}} resembles [[Santa Claus]]. Over a period of time, the [[effigy]] of Santa started being burnt, however, was rectified afterwards.<ref>{{cite news |title=The old man and a fleeting year|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/fort-kochis-custom-of-burning-the-papaanji-on-new-years-eve-is-one-of-its-kind/article6730757.ece| work= The Hindu|date=28 December 2014| accessdate=20 June 2016|last1=S|first1=Priyadershini}}</ref>

==See also==
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Fort Kochi]]
* [[Culture of Kochi]]
* [[India International Boat show]]
* [[Kochi-Muziris Biennale]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Festivals in Ernakulam district]]
[[Category:Annual events in India]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Kochi]]
[[Category:Culture of Kochi]]
[[Category:January events]]
[[Category:December events]]

Cochin Carnival - Revision history

UpdateBot at 08:17, 13 June 2022