Malar, Divar, August 16, 2026: Malar in Divar came alive with colour, music, heritage and community spirit as Malar Bonderam 2026 was celebrated on Saturday, drawing a large turnout of locals and visitors for a vibrant day-long celebration of Goa’s living traditions.
Organised by St. Mathias Sports Club, Malar, in association with Goa Tourism and the Directorate of Art and Culture, the celebration showcased the cultural character of Malar through heritage activities, traditional festivities, local food, music and entertainment.
Hon’ble Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Hon’ble Minister for Tourism Shri Rohan A. Khaunte attended the celebrations along with Shri Digambar Kamat, Hon’ble Minister for Public Works, Shri Ramesh B. Tawadkar, Hon’ble Minister for Art & Culture, Tribal Welfare, Hon’ble Cumbharjua MLA Shri Rajesh Faldessai, Hon’ble ZP Member Shri Siddhesh Naik, Shri Sandip Jacques, IAS, Commissioner cum Secretary Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik, Director of Tourism and other officials, joining the local community and visitors in experiencing the festivities.
The celebrations reflected the traditional spirit of Bonderam while giving it a vibrant community character. One of the highlights was the Bonderamchi Pasoi, a heritage walk that began at St. Mathias Church and moved through the village, allowing participants to experience Malar’s heritage, local traditions and community spaces. The walk brought together cultural elements and local participation, giving visitors a closer connection with the village beyond the usual tourist experience.
The Bonderam Float Parade was another major highlight of the celebrations, with colourful floats making their way through the village. The floats reflected different facets of Goan heritage, traditions and community life, adding colour and character to the festivities while keeping the traditional essence of Bonderam at the heart of the celebration.
The day also featured heritage workshops on Patoleo and Mollam, GED Talks, local acoustic music and Bonderamchem Jevon, followed by Konkani medleys, Katodeo and a fancy dress competition. These activities brought together children, youngsters, families and members of the local community, creating a celebration that connected generations through culture and tradition.
Hon’ble Minister for Tourism Shri Rohan A. Khaunte said, “It was wonderful to see Malar come together in such a vibrant way and celebrate its traditions with so much warmth and enthusiasm. The heritage walk, the colourful floats, the food and performances created a truly memorable experience. I was happy to be part of the celebrations and see visitors enjoying the culture and hospitality of Malar. This is exactly the kind of community-led celebration that gives people an opportunity to experience the real spirit of Goa.”
The celebrations also offered visitors an opportunity to experience Goan food and beverages, adding to the community atmosphere and giving guests a taste of the local hospitality of Malar. The evening continued with a vibrant line-up of entertainment, including performances by Mark Revlon & Band, Johnny B Gud and Reza, MacAttack, RJ Joed and Sonia Shirsat.
Shri Sandip Jacques, IAS, Commissioner cum Secretary Tourism said, “The response to Malar Bonderam has been extremely encouraging. The energy of the community, the participation of visitors and the variety of cultural experiences made the celebration truly special. It was heartening to see the efforts of the St. Mathias Sports Club come together so successfully.”
With its heritage walk, colourful floats, traditional activities, Goan food, music, performances and community participation, Malar Bonderam 2026 offered locals and visitors an opportunity to experience the distinctive cultural identity of Divar and the enduring traditions of Malar.
