The Echoes of Yesteryear: A Carnival through Time

Every year, Fort Cochin rings in the New Year’s Day with the rhythm of music, the colours of tradition, and the vibrant hum of over a hundred thousand people. Our beloved carnival isn’t just an event—it’s a celebration of the spirit of this town, a mosaic of history, culture, and shared joy.

But this year, the carnival arrived with a softer stride. Postponed to honour the passing of our honourable Ex-Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, the day carried a solemnity that whispered through the streets.

I found myself sitting on the steps of a pharmacy at Kunnumpuram, waiting for the tableau to make its way as the evening grew long and the tropical winter coolness breezed in. Around me, the usual crowd was thinner, the buzz quieter, and the laughter more subdued. An elderly German couple was sitting beside me on the steps, the lady who was very enthusiastic about the events went out onto the road where the Carnival Procession was walking by and came back to her husband and told him very excitedly what she saw in their language. Her joy was contagious and made me nostalgically think about all those tourists who have been here from different countries on the New Year’s Day over the years.

 In the previous years the New Years day would make all the roads of our Old town lead to Fort Cochin, her narrow streets brimming with tourists, visitors and local residents their awe blending seamlessly with the exuberance of locals. The fragrance of freshly cooked delicacies, the burst of colourful energy from street performers, and the joy of togetherness all felt like distant echoes of a time gone by.

This year’s carnival wasn’t as lively, but perhaps it was a reminder—a gentle nudge to cherish the traditions that bind us and the memories that shape us. Even in its quieter form, not many years far from the shutdown nothingness of the Corona Years, the carnival held its charm, grounding me in a moment of reflection amidst the waiting crowd.

As the tableau finally came into view, its colours and music reminded me that while times change and moments pass, Fort Cochin’s heart beats steadily, carrying forward the legacy of countless New Year celebrations and the memories of folks who visited and those who lived here since Vasco Da Gama died  500 years ago  on the Christmas eve  of 1524.

The carnival may have been quieter this year, but its spirit endures—etched into the soul of this town and into the hearts of all who have walked these streets.