Rio Carnival: Some Brazilliant Carnival Capers

Loud music, bright colours, and an endless sea of humanity. The electric atmosphere at the Sambodromo, the venue of Rio’s carnival parade, hits you as soon as you’ve managed to elbow your way through the sprawling venue. The loud cheering, the feisty encouragement, the spontaneous breaking in to jigs, and the sumptuous food are all so infectious, you cannot help but get swayed by the energetic crowds as they cheer on the parade. And before you know it, you’ll be shouting yourself hoarse, clapping your hands till they tingle and then lose sensation and craning your neck for one last look at dusky Brazilian women bedecked in extravagant, glittering costumes with sparkling mirrors and flowing silk...

If you’re in the ‘carnival capital’ Rio, or for that matter anywhere in Brazil between February 8 and 12, carnival fever is bound to hit you, for it takes the entire country in its feverish grip. Not only does its extravagance set the tone for every other carnival in the country, but it is also one of the most awaited and visited events in this part of the world, with nearly 500,000 tourists descending on Brazilian soil during this time. The sheer decadence and indulgence that this four-day fest has come to signify belies its rustic European origins. It began as a simple affair with the aristocrats and the proletariat coming together in masquerades to demolish class differences, between Saturday and Fat Tuesday (just a day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent). The carnival today, however, is a free for all party and arguably the best time to visit Brazil.

The Rio Carnival is not just a parade – it is one big, fat Brazilian party that sees a long procession of outrageously (and ornately!) dressed men and women, magnificent floats and loads of loud music, dance and festivity.  The processions are usually undertaken by the various samba schools, each of which has its own float and members. Each float is a living, moving piece of creativity centered around a theme picked up by the school. While earlier these related mostly to the history of Brazil, today, they can be anything related to Brazilian culture. Over time, the original masquerades have drawn a lot from African as well as other local influences making this breathtaking show a potpourri of cultures and traditions. These glittering Cariocas (women) and men wear huge headgears made of brightly coloured plumes, the dresses (usually the shorter the better)– all blinding bling. They dance down the main parade road of the Sambadromo cheered on by the thousands of people who come here to witness this moving human spectacle.

What’s also exciting is that as a visitor, you have the option to either be an enthusiastic spectator as the floats and accompanying samba dancers gyrate their way down or actually become a part of the parade by signing up with one of the many samba schools, which participate in the festivities. Being a part of this world event is not only a great way of spending a vacation, but the best way of familiarising yourself with the rich culture, traditions and lifestyle of this exotic country and its people.

Every street, square, pub, disco, club and restaurant in Rio has a festive feel to it. Since tickets and accommodation for this event are booked way in advance and can get expensive closer to the carnival dates, it makes sense for you to plan ahead. The Rio Carnival is as crazy a party as it can get. Don’t miss it for anything!