Goa Streets - Issue 20

Thursday, March 21, 2013 | Vol. No. I | Issue 20 | Price Rs. 10 | Pages 28 | www.goastreets.com

Goa Chic

Fashion models break through

Open mic at Arambol • pg 12 Aldona holds fort • pg 22 Painting in the dark • pg 26

s Plu ete pl / com par ty d/ e foo ghtlif ni ide gu

Baina sans sleaze 10 • Do-it-yourself films 18 • Art millionaires 20

Scenes from the Procession of Saints at St. Andrew’s Church, Goa Velha

31 lifesize statues are taken around the village as a penitential ritual. Goa is the only place besides Rome to hold such a procession which dates back to the 18th Century

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Thursday, March 21, 2013

Mar 21

Goa Gil Live

At Teso Waterfront, Siolim @ 2 pm to 10.30 pm +918322270091/+918322270092

Thursday Night Live

@ Sol Bar and Restaurant Madeleine Chase jamming with Smoking Chutney featuring Madeleine Chase (vocals), Chrystal Farrell (vocals), Benoy Rai (guitar), Sancho Menezes (keyboards), Colin D’Cruz (bass) & Bosco D’Souza (drums) At Sofala, Bhattiwaddo, Nerul @ 8 pm to 11.30 pm +918326714141

Retro, Rock n Roll & Old School At Resort Rio, Arpora @ 8 pm to 10.30 pm +919552538203

At Catalist, Candolim @ 8 pm +918806200783/+918806201619

Mar 22

Trance Party

At Hippies, Anjuna @ 5 pm +919987462669/+917507486444

Pow-wow

At Our Shack, Vagator @ 7.30 pm +919167878311/+918326510548

Electro Night

At Micasa, Ashvem @ Sunset +919821351193/+919527926686/ +919821936699

Live & Wired

At 9 Bar, Vagator @ 5 pm +919422057532

With Axel At L’Orange Restaurant & Events, Candolim @ 8 pm +919823291413

Classical Live Fusion

Tidal Waves Live

Trance Party

At Guru, Anjuna @ 7 pm +918322273319

Rockin’ Fathers

Silent Noise

At banana republic, Calangute @ 8.30 pm +918322276090

Who says priests aren’t cool?

Page 5

* Conditions apply.

Photographs by Arun Pavaratty

Fr. Agnelo Rodrigues on the drums with Band of Priests

Frisky Fridays

music & nightlife | 03 Faith through music

With DJ Rinton At SinQ beach Club, @ 8 pm +919552100700

Mar 23

Rock in Goa

At Quinta De Valadares, Verna @ 2 pm +919622434233

world view | 06

Saturday Night Market Party At Boutique House, Arpora @ 6 pm

A pragmatic Pope

Bollywood Connection

food review | 07 Eat Street & Curry Leaf

At Club Tito’s, Baga @ 9 pm +918322277188

Mar 24 Party

At Soma, Ashvem beach Sunset +919822642624/+919822395522

feature | 10

Electronic Nights At Sporting Heroes Rocks, Morjim @ 7 pm +9183222106135

Baina gets a new avatar

Psy Trance Party

feature | 12

At UV bar, Anjuna +919822153440

Mar 25

Arambol on Rs. 500

Barbecue

At Cafe Delish, Anjuna @ 6 pm +919096654567

what’s on | 13

“Ride with us”

At Cafe Lilliput, Anjuna @ 5 pm +91832274648

Everything there is to do

Mar 26

Fish BBQ

cover story | 14 Fashion models strut for success

At Coffee Heaven, Anjuna @ Sunset +919822168628

Karaoke Night

At The Park, Candolim @ 7 pm +918888848125

arts & entertainment | 18

Mar 27

Short film culture in Goa

At Anjuna @ 9 am to 6 pm

Flea Market

Upto Mar 30 Happy Hours

books | 20

At Cafe Mangii, Panjim @ 11.30 am to 6 pm +919370898848/+918322230773

Art Millionaires

Upto April 30 Every Monday

literature | 21

feature | 22

Bhiku outsmarts his mama

Aldona holds fort

Tamarin Restaurant

Rodden & Anselm play acoustic guitar and flute with a popular play list At Tamarin Restaurant, Calangute @ 7.30 pm

Every Sunday

give back | 26

Visually impaired Stacy’s art

Tamarin Restaurant

“Richard Goes Solo” with his retro 60’s & 70’s set At Tamarin Restaurant, Calangute @ 7.30 pm

Every Thursday

Tamarin Restaurant

Maxie - Bosa Nova and Latin sounds with guitar At Tamarin Restaurant, Calangute @ 7.30 pm

Up to May 25 Karaoke Night

Hosted by KDJ Pierre At Sweet Chilli, Sinquerim From 8 pm to 12 am +918322479446/+918325625693

Saturday Sundown

At Martin’s Corner, Betalbatim @ 8 pm to 11.30 pm +918322880061/+918322880413

Upto May 28

Retro and All Time Hits

With DJ Aggie At Radisson Blu Resort, Cavelossim @ 9 pm +918326726666/+918326726677

Up to May 31

Beer, BBQ & Blues

Veeam & the Highway Stars to perform live.

At Sweet Chilli, Sinquerim, Candolim.

From 8 pm to 11 pm +918322479446/ +918325625693/ +919890651163/ +919860182932

On-going

Martin’s Corner

Authentic seafood and Goan cuisine along with entertainment with live music every week. At Betalbatim @ 8 pm. +918322880061 Mon: Savio Tue: Bryan Ivor-one man band Wed: Francis Paul Thur: Duo by Savio & In front Fri: Karaoke by Johnny Sat: Shane. Sun: Kenny

Shivers Garden

Restaurant & Sports Bar At Candolim @ 7.30 pm +919860698281 Wed: Bingo Nite Sat: Dance Nite & Live football broadcast Sun: Sunday Roast (2 pm)

Fernando’s Nostalgia

Goan soul in Goan food At Raia @ 7 pm +918322777054/ +918322777098/ +919822103467 Tue: Brian Bones Thur: Evergreens by Cedric Live Fri: Jazz/swing/ Retro by Tania & Andre Sat: Oldies but Goldies by Friendly Brothers Sun: Nostalgic Moods by Saxy Aggie

Zeebop

Specialized in Sea food At Utorda Beach @ 7.30 pm 0832-2755333 Mon: Frankston one-mand band Tue: jimmy Jazz Wed: Brian Bones Thur: Newton & Nezz Fri: David Boggie Sat: Disco Nite

Fort Aguada Beach Resort At Sinquerim, Candolim @ 7.30 pm +918326645858 Mon: Haydn & Natasha Tue: Mac Dorado Wed: Haydn & Natasha Thur: Flying Colours Fri: Shine on Duo Band Sat: Anslem

Music & Nightlife 5

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Night By Night Every Monday Karaoke Night

Live Filipino Band performance At O’ Goa, Hotel Fidalgo, Panjim @ 7.30 pm.

2226291

Every Tuesday

Retro & all Time Hits

Retro hits played by DJ Aggie At Radisson Blu Resort, Cavelossim @ 9 pm onwards +918326726677 / +91 8888061199

Tuesday – Country Rock

At Café Mojo @ 10 am to 11.30 pm +91 9850980091/ +91 9860010061

Tuesday Night

With the electrifying Miramar.

Free entry At down the Road, Old Patto Bridge, Panaji @ 10 pm onwards. +91 8087649050

Every Wednesday Jam Session

A musical adventure with Goa’s one & Only Zezhinio At Sweet Chilli, Sinquerim @ 7.30 pm +91 9820820254

Retro, Rock n Roll & Old School With DJ Saby Fernandes spinning Retro, Rock n Roll At Resort Rio, Tambudki, Arpora From 8 pm to 10.30 pm +919552538203/+919011015959

Wednesday Nights

Featuring DJs David and Ashley At Kamaki, Baga @ 7.30 pm +91 9923093408/+918322276520

DJ Roy Yod Live

At Saturdays, Varca @ 9.30 pm to 1 am +918326695066/+918326695025

Ladies Night

At Soul Souffle, Uddear, Verna @ 8 pm +918322782100/+919404312100

Cosmopolitan Ladies Nite At Butter, Panjim @ 8 pm +918308838888

Every Thursday

Thursday Grill and Games Music, games & barbeque At Soul Souffle, Verna @ 7 pm to 10 pm 2782100, +91 9764694321

Thursday – Go Retro

At Café Mojo, Panjim @ 10 am to 11.30 pm +919850980091/+919860010061

Rockin’ Fathers

Retro Revolution

Retro, country & slow rock with the Valentinos, Elvis on guitar & Edgar on keyboards At down the Road, Old Patto Bridge, Panaji @ 9 pm onwards +91 8087649050

Rock n Roll

Relive some of the best moments of Rock n Roll At Sweet Chilli, Sinquerim @ 7.30 pm +91 9820820254

Karaoke Night

Live Filipino Band performance At O’ Goa, Hotel Fidalgo, Panaji @ 7.30 pm +918322226291

Every Friday

Friday – Old School

At Café Mojo, Panaji @ 10 am to 11.30 pm +91 9850980091/ +91 9860010061

Retro Party

At ‘Rewind’ Arpora, near Go-kart, @8 pm onwards.

Great 70’s ambience, home styled food, live retro music Featuring, ‘The Music Company.’ +91 8007112200.

Trance Party

At 9-Bar Vagator @ 5 pm Beer, BBQ n Blues Friday Nights Featuring live entertainment by Veeam and the Highway stars.

Unlimited beer coupled with set menus containing BBQ options starting @ INR 650/- per person for a package that includes, food, beverages and entertainment.

Every Friday/Saturday

DJ Sindhiya Performing Live At Club Margarita, Colva @ 8 pm to 11.30 pm +91 9823259008, +918322789745

DJ Nights

At Capiz Bar, Grand Hyatt @ 10.30 pm. +918323011125

Every Saturday

Graeme Hamilton

Performing Live At Jazz Inn, Cavelossim, Mobor @ 8 pm to 11.30 pm +919422437682

Silent Noise Party,

At Neptune Point, Palolem Beach @ 9 pm to 4 am 7798680840/7798680842 Fee: Rs 500

Retro Party

At ‘Rewind’ Arpora, near Go-kart @ 8 pm onwards.

Great 70’s ambience, home styled food, live retro music Featuring, Live Retro Band. +91 8007112200.

Three man band

Live music by Neil, Ignatius & Grayston At Joet’s Bogmalo, Vasco @ 8 pm.

9860765337/2538036

By Anzil Fernandes

I

f there’s anything we’ve learned over the past week or so – judging from the news coming out of the Vatican – it’s that priests can be cool. You don’t have to love Pope Francis to recognize that he’s kind of hip, in a kind of retro, unflashy way. Now change the scene to Goa, where a group of priests have taken to dancing and literally rocking a crowd. These godly men may still do their fair share of preaching, blessing and praying, but they’re also cool with a guitar, drums and keyboard.

Band of Priests comprises entirely of Catholic priests from the Rachol seminary. “The idea to form a band came during a retreat at Rachol in 2010. I was inspired by the lay person who was encouraging the priests to clap and dance and praise God,” says Fr. Xavier Braganza, the brain behind this novel band. “I shared the idea with Fr Joe and Fr Mathew― to have a gospel band. They liked it and we had our first show in February 2011 at Carmona village,” he adds.

The band not only plays English and Konkani gospel music but also Hindi music. And if that isn’t enough, the priests do a mean dance, too.

“What’s wrong in dancing? Even King David danced and praised God,” Fr Xavier exhorts the audience at the Fatorda church courtyard.

Fr Xavier readily acknowledges that Band of Priests is ‘a new way of evangelising.’ “The youth are bored of the traditional ways, they can’t even stand a mass for more than one hour.

So we thought why not take the traditional prayers and club them with music.”

It’s no secret that the target group of the band is the youth. But at a Band of Priests performance, you’ll also see oldies shaking their hips. Some might say all this fun comes with a catch: The concert isn’t just about music and choreography, but also adoration, prayer, biblical presentations and testimony. OK, for

some it’s a catch, for others a spiritual bonanza.

“It’s an amazing experience, truly mesmerising. I never thought a few of our priests could be such heartthrobs in conveying the Lenten message so innovatively and meaningfully in such lovely rhythm and vocals.

I must say―dear priests, you all truly rock!” says Andrea Fernandes, a 24-year-old from Majorda.

Fr Mariano, who plays the bass guitar, quotes St Augustine― “One who sings, prays twice.” With the theme ‘An Evening with Jesus’, the band has performed more than 40 shows in Goa and has created a niche for themselves. Their popularity has also attracted invitations from Mumbai and Pune.

Music has always formed an integral part of the priesthood. “We have to learn solfège which is part of the curriculum at the seminary, but we can choose the musical instrument of our liking.

Rachol seminary has nurtured music in our heart,” Fr Xavier explains.

“Currently we have 11 priests playing for the Band, but the only problem we face is time management. Since most of the band members are either parish priests or assistant priests, we have a hard time coming together. But in spite of other commitments, we have made time …” says Fr Xavier.

Band of Priests charges Rs 15,000 per show, much of which is utilised for equipment, lighting, stage and sound. “We put in our own money if the parish is unable to pay, that’s the least we can do for this Lent season.”

Fr. Xavier has a word of advice for the orthodox or conservative Catholics who believe that priests should just preach, bless and pray― “Come watch us and I bet you will change your point of view!”



6 World View

The Pope as

Pragmatist

By Steven Gutkin

I

f you’re like 99 percent of the earth’s population, a few days ago you would have never heard of a humble priest from Argentina named Jorge Mario Bergoglio. And even if he hadn’t ascended to the throne of St. Peter, even if he hadn’t been suddenly catapulted from relative obscurity to our planet’s most powerful religious leader - head of the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics - you might have been impressed by this unassuming individual’s commitment to universal, spiritual values of humility, empathy and love.

Pope Francis, the first Jesuit and the first Latin American to assume the papacy in history, embodies much of what is good about Roman Catholicism in 2013. He had shunned the trappings of high Church office, opting for a simple apartment in downtown Buenos Aires over a cardinal’s palace. There is good reason to hope that he might actually shift attention away from our age’s contentious culture wars – from gay marriage to abortion – and towards goals that we can all agree on: lifting up the downtrodden, reducing social inequality, healing the sick and loving one’s neighbour. Symbolism counts in the Catholic Church, and Pope Francis – from his kissing the feet of AIDS victims to his insistence on riding a bus with his colleagues even after being elected pope to his breaking of protocol by asking the masses to bless him before he blessed them – is already a master of symbolism. And it’s possible he’s just what’s needed in an era of overwhelming crises for the Catholic Church.

But this is not what I’m here to talk about. Unless you’re head is buried in the Goan sand, by now you’ve undoubtedly heard about this troubling little episode called the Argentine dirty war – and the questions raised about Father Bergoglio’s role as a senior Catholic cleric during that period. My 11 years in Latin America included a stint in the 1980s, shortly after the end of the military dictatorship in Argentina.

Brutal military rule was not uncommon in those days, but it can be safely said that Argentina’s version of it – with the disappearance of 30,000 people between 1976 and 1983 – was the most brutal of all. And it can also be safely said that the Catholic Church in Argentina, unlike its counterparts in Brazil and Chile, failed miserably to take a stand against the atrocities.

Unlike Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI), who was only 14 years old when he was conscripted into Germany’s Hitler Youth movement, Father Bergoglio was in his late 30 and early 40s and head of the Jesuits in Argentina during the dictatorship – one of the Church’s most influential leaders at the time.

The notion of sin is central to Catholicism. And there are sins of commission and sins of omission.

With the information we currently have available, there is no conclusive evidence that Pope Francis committed either. What we do know is this. In 1976, Father Bergoglio dismissed two leftist priests from his Jesuit order – Orlando Yorio and Francisco Jalics – and that three days later the two were arrested,

beaten and held for five months, according to a 1977 report by Father Yorio, who died in 2000. In his report, Father Yorio wrote that Father Bergoglio undermined the work of the two priests in a slum by writing negative reports to bishops, ultimately expelling them from the Jesuit order. A similar account was given by Father Jalics in a 1994 book, although last week he stated in a Jesuit website that he didn’t wish to comment further on the events, that years later he embraced Cardinal Bergoglio and that “I am reconciled to the events and view them from my side as concluded.”

For his part, Pope Francis has stated and written that he worked behind the scenes to help the victims of Argentina’s dirty war, even meeting with the military junta to win freedom for the two priests.

Much has been said about the Argentine Church’s silence during those dark years, especially compared to the courageous stand taken by the Catholic hierarchy in Brazil and Chile, which were undergoing military dictatorships of their own. Yet it’s also true that in Argentina, the Church’s strong ties to the military had roots dating back many decades, to the point where some Church leaders were given military escorts as a sign of respect. This, combined with the acute climate of fear and very real danger to anyone who even hinted at opposition to the junta, helps explain the Church’s silence.

The kind of tight-rope act Pope Francis said he performed during the military junta was on display again many years later, when Argentina became one of just 11 nations in the world to approve gay marriage.

All of us who have spent significant time in Latin America know that Argentina is unlike any other country in the region. Its people, mostly descendants, like Pope Francis, of European immigrants, never viewed themselves as part of the Third World. While the vast majority identify as Roman Catholics, few attend church regularly and, as evidenced by their vote to approve gay marriage in 2010, Argentinians are among the world’s most socially liberal people. It is against this backdrop that Cardinal Bergoglio, as leader of the movement opposing the gay marriage measure, made particularly vociferous statements condemning it, comparing it to the work of the Devil.

At the same time, however, the cardinal adopted an extraordinary position in a meeting with Argentine bishops, favouring “civil unions” for gay couples as a compromise solution. The idea was voted down by his peers, but the episode revealed some important qualities about Pope Francis: a deeply pragmatic streak, a keen awareness of the cultural and political nuances surrounding him, an underlying humanity.

If humility and pragmatism are to be the hallmarks of this papacy, that could bode well for a Church in crisis.  Steven Gutkin, Goa Streets’ Chief Advisor, worked as an international news correspondent for more than two decades in various parts of the world, including more than a decade in South America.

The Lowdown Yes, it turns out Goa really is chic! Take one look at what’s happening in the fashion world here, and you’ll know that this little state has hit the big leagues when it comes to style. On these pages, we take a different take on this phenomenon, focusing on the young men and women on the frontlines of the fashion boom in Goa: the models. Here we take you inside their world, exposing both their trials and joys. One thing’s for certain. Their lives may be glamorous, but never easy.

When you turn these pages, you will see that this edition of Goa Streets is “deep water”.

We bring you an in-depth look at how Baina, once Goa’s only red-light district, is experiencing a remarkable rebirth. We publish an eye-opening discussion on millionaire art collectors, and delve into the world of short film makers in Goa. Our story on Pope Francis describes the context behind Argentina’s dirty war at a time when the Pope served as head of the Jesuits there.

Even if you live in Goa and are not a tourist, do take a look at our story on how to have fun in Arambol on Rs 500. There’s a decent chance that after reading this piece, you’ll be in the mood to head up there! Same goes for our story on Aldona, one of the more fascinating villages in Goa. We hope you enjoy our now regular segment featuring fiction from Goan writers, with a short story this week on a uniquely Indian relationship between a doctor and his very protective mother.

Lastly, we want to draw your attention to two milestones we passed in recent days. First, the Goa Streets Facebook page has now reached 10,000 “likes” – a significant achievement for our young publication! Second, the number of YouTube hits for the Goa Streets Flash Mob – when we brought together 100 dancers from across Goa last November for a surprise dance on the Dona Paula jetty – has reached more than 1 lakh. That means our flash mob is one of the most viewed events from Goa in the history of YouTube. If you haven’t seen it yet, don’t miss out! Log onto YouTube and type in Goa Streets Flash Mob, and we’ll pop right up!

We’re way ahead. We’re rocking. We’re Goa Streets!

The Goa Streets Team

7

FOOD

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Mar 31

www.goastreets.com/food

Chicken Parmigiana at Eat Street

Gastronomic extravaganza At Goa’s Grand address At The Dining Room, Grand Hyatt, Bambolim +918323011125

Mar 6 to Mar 31

Lunch & Dinner Menu

With Multi Cuisine At Tito’s Retro Club, Calangute @ 12.30 pm to 11 pm +919822765002/+918322275028

Lunch & Dinner Menu

With Multi Cuisine At Souza Lobo, Calangute @ 12.30 pm to 11.30 pm +919822120516/+918322281234

Lunch & Dinner Menu

With Multi Cuisine At Horizon Grill Restaurant, Candolim @ 12.30 pm to 11.30 pm +919822466682

Lunch Menu

With German Cuisine At Lila Cafe, Calangute @ 12.30 pm to 3 pm +919822150533/+918322279843

Lunch & Dinner Menu

With Chinese, Malaysian & Thai Cuisine At Pan Asian Bowl, Panjim @ 12.30 pm to 11 pm +919923499429/+918326455549

Dinner Menu

With Italian Cuisine At Tuscany Gardens, Candolim @ 7.30 pm to 11.30 pm +919922914663/+918326454026

Dinner Menu

With Multi Cuisine At I 95 Restaurant, Calangute @ 7.30 pm to 11.30 pm +919881301184/+918322275213

Eat Street and Curry Leaf Hungry at 3 am?

Here’s your solution

By Goa Streets

O

Time 11am-12 midniht non stop food service, open everyday.

Home delivery: 0832-2411959 & 976415986 Caterin Service Contact: Mr. Roland Rodrigues @ 989042440

Break Fast, Lunch & Dinner Menu At Santa Lucia, Siolim @ 7.30 am to 11 pm +919890451579/+918323162444

Lunch & Dinner Menu

With Multi Cuisine At Joecons Garden restaurant, Benaulim @ 12 pm to 11.30 pm +919822110511/+918322770077

ne could say that the main attraction of the outdoor restaurant at the Hotel Calangute Towers – Eat Street – is that it is open 24 hours. So if you’re an Indian party animal who craves a curry or a kebab after a night of clubbing, or perhaps a foreigner in the mood for pasta or a sandwich at the very end of a very long evening (or for that matter, an Indian in search of a sandwich and a foreigner on the hunt for curry!), this place may well be for you. But here’s the surprising part about Eat Street and its sister restaurant in the same building, Curry Leaf: tastewise, they’re top notch. This is not something we expected from two joints smack in the heart of the tourist belt, where a large number of restaurants are, let’s face it, just plain bad. Who would’ve thunk it? In the end, it’s really about flavour, not the extended, happily convenient business hours.

Now there are a few concepts you have to wrap your mind around to understand what’s happening with these two establishments. There are two side-by-side restaurants on the ground floor of Hotel Calangute turn to page 9

Grilled Lobster at Eat Street

8 Food Lunch & Dinner Menu With Multi Cuisine At The Upper House, Panjim @ 12 pm to 11.30 pm +918322426475

Outdoor seating at Eat Street

Mar 15 to Mar 30 Beers of the World

At Tease Bar & Pub, Panjim @ 6 pm to 11.30 pm +918326633636

Mar 20 to Mar 28 Corporate & Cocktail with Henry At Cafe Mojo Pub & Bistro @ 8 pm to 11.30 pm +918322426666

Every Thursday

Seafood Night Market

Feel the pulse of a Grand Goan Carnival with special stalls with tempting fresh seafood, artefacts jewellery, clothes, pottery, and a lot more.

Rs. 1800 + taxes per person Grand Hyatt, Bambolim @ 7 pm to 11.30 pm +918323011658/+917709004914

Every Sunday

Sunday Family Brunches Get in Rhythm with Ashley Live At Latitude, Vivanta by Taj, Panaji @ 12.30 pm to 3.30 pm +918326633636

Bikini Brunch

Sunday BBQ Brunch @ Rs.950/With Unlimited Alcohol From 12.30 pm to 4.30 pm At The Park on Holiday Beach, Calangute +918322277600

Champagne Sunday Brunch

Enjoy brunch with French champagne with food from five interactive and live stations dishing out Asian, Italian, Middle Eastern, Indian Cuisine and desserts.

Rs. 2200 + taxes (includes buffet, champagne, wines and select drinks) At Grand Hyatt, Bambolim @ 1 pm to 4 pm +918323011658/+917709004914

Sunday Live Brunch

Enjoy a Sunday Live brunch with live stations, a live band, best of live entertainment and an unlimited flow of wines! There’s live entertainment for kids too, including magicians, balloon sculpting and face painting, etc.

From 12:30pm to 03:30pm At Waterfront Terrace & Bar, Goa Marriott Resort & Spa +918322463333

Oriental Sunday Brunch

Goa Marriott Resort & Spa hosts an Oriental Sunday Brunch featuring Pan Asian delicacies, including Thai, Malaysian, Chinese and Japanese cuisine! Savour live counter specialties including veg and nonveg sushi, Peking duck, dim sums, soups, and Thai curry, and scrumptious main courses dishes including rice and noodle preparations. Plus Oriental desserts, continental pastries, fruits and ice-cream and a complimentary round of wine, beer or a mojito.

From 12:30pm to 03:30pm At Wan Hao, Goa Marriott Resort & Spa +918322463333

Baga, Calangute & around Casa Portuguesa

Housed in an 18th Century colonial house, it offers Portuguese cuisine along with some dishes reflecting Goan influences, complete with the pleasant ambience of Fado Music At Baga Rd @ 7 pm to 11 pm. +91 9822122960

Le Poisson Rouge

A French alfresco Restaurant by Gregory Bazire offer imported wines Chile, Argentina, South Africa and Italy. House Speciality includes king prawns, roasted black pomfret, Goan sausages crump and kingfish. At Baga, Calangute @ 7 pm to 11 pm +91 9823850276/ +918323245800

Chef Soumyens Kitchen

A fine dine continental restaurant by Chef Soumyen Chakraborty. Specialising in steaks, seafood and pastas; vegetarian options also available.

At Luis Gomes Rd, Calangute @ 12 pm to 12 am +91 9226481417/+918322276160

Infantaria

A Regular café which known for Breakfast and takeaway counter.

At Baga @ 7.30 am to 12 pm +918323291290

After Seven

Offers French cuisine. The restaurant recommends dishes like camembert soufflé, warm squid in balsamic vinegar and rum, steaks and lemon infused prawns At Gauravaddo, Calangute @ 12 pm to 11.30 pm +918322279757

Fiesta

Based on contemporary European style of cooking. Signature dishes lobster au gratin, herb ricotta ravioli and death by chocolate At Saunta Waddo, Baga @ 11 am to 11.30 pm +918322279894/+918322281440

J&A’s

Italian alfresco restaurant specialised in country style Italian cuisine & Pizzas.

The restaurant recommends prawns and zucchini soup, Tuscan-style beef stew, Carpaccio and slivers of raw beef.

At Baga @ 10 am to 11 pm +919823139488

Anjuna & around Thalassa

Greek and Mediterranean food by the sea.

At Vagator beach @ 4 pm to 12 am +91 9850033537

Blue Tao

Specialised in Italian, Seafood, Organic Food At Anjuna beach Rd, Anjuna From 9 am to 11 pm +918975061435

Alcove Restaurant and Bar

Specialised in Chinese, Goan, Italian, North Indian, seafood, At Ozran beach, Anjuna @ 8 am onwards +918322274491/+918322273349

The German Bakery

Anjuna Bakery is an organic health food restaurant, which included some nonvegetarian items, which are healthy and necessary to keep your mind & body strong and sharp.

At Market Rd Anjuna +91 9096058775

Baba au Rhum

Is a Coffee Shop At Kudachwaddo, Arpora @ 8 am to 4 pm +919822078759

Basilico

It’s a best place in North Goa for Italian Food At D’mello Waddo, Anjuna @ 6.30 pm to 11 pm +918322273721/ +918323953744/ +919822599130

Villa Blanche Bistro

it is set in a tropical garden of a restored Portuguese house and one of the few restaurants serving breakfast all day.

At Socolwaddo, Assagao @ 9 am to 5.30 pm +91 9822155099

Nilaya Hermitage

Specialises in Mediterranean cuisine using plenty of fresh sea-food and home grown organic vegetables. Also has a variety of Goan cuisine specialties and serves Indian curries upon request.

At St. Joseph School Road, Arpora +91832 227 6792

Candolim

House of Lloyds

Serves continental, seafood, goancuisine.

The restaurant recommends: Goan roast pork, apple salad with tender greens, crispy sardines, stuffed crab and steaks At Saipem Road, Candolim @ 7 pm to 3 am. +91 9823032273

Cuckoo Zen Garden

Serves a wide variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian healthy food, as well as tasty and healthy herbal food & drinks. The Cuckoo Zen Garden opens from beginning of November to end of March.

At Candolim @ 7 pm to 11 pm +91 9881773524

Banyan Tree

Dine under the cool shadow of a 300-yearold Banyan Tree. Signature dishes: Spicy and sour prawn soup, crispy fried vegetables in roasted chilli sauce, Sweet water chestnuts in coconut milk.

At Vivanta Taj Holiday Village, Candolim @ 12.30 pm to 10.30 pm +91832664 5555

Tuscany Gardens

Italian restaurant by Avi & Line Shetty serves antipasti, secondi, pasta, pizzeria, dolci, risotto and insalate. At Fort Aguada Road, Don Hill Enclave, Candolim @ 12 pm to 11 pm +918326454026

Café Chocolatti

It’s a Coffee Shop, At Fort Aguada Rd, Candolim From 9 am to 7 pm +918322479340/+919326112006

Mezze Restaurant

Set in tropical garden of a Goan House, It offers Multicuisine menu, specialised in Seafood.

At Opp Prazeres resort, Candolim @ 12.30 pm to 10 pm +919923937040

Bomra’s

The food has a distinct Burmese soul but draws on and fuses influences from nearby regional cuisines of China, India, Laos and Thailand.

At Souzawaddo, Candolim @ 6.30 to 11.30 pm +91 9767591056

Barbeque and Grill

Specialised in North Indian, seafood, Grills, Live entertainment Seafood Bazaar is on Monday and Wednesday At Fortune select Regina, Candolim @ 7.30 pm to 11 pm +918323988444

Beach House

Specialised in Goan, Portuguese, Seafood At Vivanta Holiday Village, Sinquerim @ 7.30 pm to 10.30 pm +918326645858

Panaji & around O’ Coqueiro

Goan Cuisine in Porvorim, made famous not just by its tasty food but also as the place where international criminal Charles Sobhraj was arrested.

At NH 17 Rd, Porvorim @ 12 pm to 11 pm +918322417806/ +918322417271/ +918322417344

Food Review 9

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Chinese, Malaysian & Thai cuisine. Some of the finest Asian food in Goa. At Miramar, Panjim @ 12.30 pm to 11 pm +91 9923499429/ +918326455547/ +918326455548

Bhojan

Offers pure veg thali for lunch & dinner.

At Hotel Fidalgo, Panjim @ 7.30 to 11 pm +918322226291

Viva Panjim

Goan cuisine & seafood. Linda and Michael’s place has long been a favourite for those in search of very tasty Goan food.

At Fontainhas, Panjim @ 12 pm to 11 pm +918322422405/ +91 9850471363

Alfama

Well known for fado evenings At Cidade de Goa, Vainguinim Beach @ 7.30 pm to 11 pm +918322454545

Cantina Bodega

A Pastelaria

Bakery & Confectionery Gateaux, Pastries and Cookies. Chocolate and strawberry flavoured the mousses are soft and melting, a treat for the kids. Its maska all the way At Hotel Mandovi, Panaji From 9 am to 9 pm +918322426270/+918322426273

Cafe Mojo

Arguably Panjim’s best pub. Innovative, fun and lively.

At Salida Del Sol Hotel, Panjim All day. +91 9850980091

Down the Road

Pub and a Multi Cuisine restaurant, often with live entertainment.

A favourite Panjim hotspot.

At Old Patto Bridge, Panjim, @ 11 am to 11 pm. +91 9823173757

Barbeque

Pizzeria, bakery & cafe. Owner Vandana utilizes her expertise earned from her years as a top pastry chef in New York City.

At Sunaparanta Centre for the Arts, Altinho, Panjim @ 10 am to 7 pm +91 9011662233

Beach Front Grill enables a guest to choose from a display of seafood, Meats & vegetables and have them cooked to his/ her liking.

At Cidade de Goa, Vainguinim Beach @ 7 am to 11 pm +918322454545

Delhi Darbar

Mum’s Kitchen

Known for Tandoori, kebabs, biryanis & naans At M.G Rd Panjim @ 11.30 am to 11 pm +918322222544

Tea Cafe

Cakes, Coffee and other goodies. A newcomer to the Panjim cafe scene.

At Fontainhas, Panjim @ 11 am to 7 pm +918322223050

Antonio D’silva

Specialised in Goan food, strictly for the sausage lovers.

At velha, Panjim From 6 am to 9 pm +919822184433

Café Azul

All day dining restaurant offering buffet combo option.

At Cidade de Goa, Vainguinim Beach @ 7 pm to 11 pm +918322454545

Upper House

Goan and continental cuisine.

One of the tastier and more elegant restaurants of the capital.

Good bar, too.

At Panjim @ 12 pm to 11 pm +918322426475

Doçaria

Coffee shop, beverage counter, cake shop, games centre, snack bar, dessert lounge At Cidade de Goa, Vainguinim Beach @ 24 hrs +918322454545

Little Chocolate Box

Specialties include cupcakes (red velvet YUM), cakes (themed and otherwise), chocolates (of course) and brownies.

At Kranti Nagar, Alto Porvorim Email id: lcbee91@gmail.com +919822984224

Fantasia

Fast food & snacks, plus lively bar in the heart of Panjim. Check out the live music.

At Panjim @ 9 am to 11 pm +918322226684

City Pride

Specialised in Seafood At Opp. Vivanta by Taj, Panjim From 11 am to 11 pm

Among the best upscale Goan cuisine in Panjim, drawing from Goa’s Christian and Hindu traditions.

At Panjim-Miramar Rd @ 11 am to 11pm +91 9822175556

Chulha

Spice Studio

Goan dinner. Elegant outdoor restaurant in a well-appointed resort in the South.

At Alila Diwa, Majorda @ 7 pm to 10.30 pm +918322746800

Martin’s Corner

Joint popular with celebrities and just about everyone else.

Serves Goan cuisine.

At Betalbatim @ 11 am to 11 pm +91 9822166996/ 2880061

Casa Sarita

Offers a blend of Indian and Portuguese culture. Signature dishes include chouris pao, prawn curry & Goan fish curry.

At Park Hyatt, Cansaulim @ 6.30 pm to 11 pm +918322721234

Fernandos Nostalgia

Goan Cuisine in a favourite landmark restaurant featuring very good food and a great collection of “nostalgic” antiques At Raia, Salcete, Margao @ 11 am to 11 pm +918322777098/ +918322777054/ +91 9822103467/ +91 9822151296

Lucio

Specialty restaurant serving GoanPortuguese cuisine.

At Radisson Blu Resort Goa, Cavelossim Beach @ 11 am to 11 pm +918326726666

Morjim & Around

Sublime-Fusion Restaurant

Indian Street food and Tandoor At Grand Hyatt Goa, Bambolim @ 3 pm to 11 pm +918323011504

Sublime is set in the charming beachside, offering innovative and eclectic cuisine.

At Vithaldas Waddo Morjim. +91 9822484051/ +91 9923608674

Goenchin

Marbella

Margao & around

Canacona

Coffee shop offerings traditional coffee along with light snacks and drinks.

At Radisson Blu Resort Goa, Cavelossim Beach @ all day 6726666

Multi-cuisine serving breakfast, Lunch & dinner At Lalit, Canacona @ 7.30 am to 11 pm 2667777/2667711

Specializes in Chinese and Thai cuisines.

Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian items are available.

At Mandovi Apts Panjim 12.30 pm to 11 pm +918322227614/ +918322464877

Upper Deck

China Gate

Dedicated Chinese Cuisine At Fatima High School, Margao @ 12 pm to 11 pm +918322704655

Cafe Mardi Gras

24 hrs cafe serving seafood, Goan, North Indian, Coffee & snacks At Holiday Inn Resort, Cavelossim @ All day +918322871303

Shandong

Asian-cuisine restaurant with fine dining ambiance At Radisson Blu Resort Goa, Cavelossim Beach @ 11 am to 11 pm 6726666

Fig & Olive

Flavours of the Mediterranean, Arabian & Italian. At Holiday Inn Resort, Cavelossim @ 9 am to 11 pm +918322871303

Photography by Arun Pavaratty

Pan Asian Bowl

The restaurant is located beachside, with full service extending to the sun bed area.

Complete with lounge music giving the place a relaxed, creative, beach vibe.

At Morjim. +91 9158881185/ +918326450599

Canacona

Corta’s

Goan cuisine beach shack restaurant At Lalit, Canacona @ 12.30 pm to 11 pm.

2667777/2667711

VeriFeni

Bar offering a variety of cocktails, Exotic fenitails, wines, beers, spirits, liqueurs and cigars.

At Lalit, Canacona @ 12.30 pm to 12 pm 2667777/2667711

Gazebo

The poolside sunken bar with A Polynesian theme.

At Lalit, Canacona @ 12.30 pm to 12 pm.

2667777/2667711

Sirocco

Fine dining restaurant serving Mediterranean Cuisine At Lalit, Canacona @ 5.30 pm to 11 pm +918322667777/ +918322667711

Curry Leaf - An indoor oasis from page 7 Towers, one an indoor, softly lit, air conditioned oasis called Curry Leaf and another, an outdoor, fan-cooled expanse called Eat Street. You could easily get confused, and assume Eat Street is Curry Leaf’s outdoor section, which it is not! Eat Street is its own thing, with a separate menu, a penchant for fun mocktails and cuisine featuring Indian, Western and Chinese elements. Among the selections here are Pop Corn Prawns, Fish N Chips, pizza, sandwiches, Paneer in Hot Garlic Sauce, Mutton Vindaloo, Grilled Tiger Prawns (at Rs 550 the most expensive item on the menu - except, perhaps, for the pay-as-you-weigh lobster), Beef Steak in Pepper Sauce and Hong Kong Chicken. If you’ve been partying the night away and suddenly remembered that no sustenance has entered your organism since, well, dinner time, this is a menu that screams out, “I’m here. Satisfaction is at hand!”

Don’t get us wrong. You don’t have to view Eat Street as Goa’s version of a Manhattan after-hours club. It’s perfectly acceptable to hang out here during godly hours as well. And if you do so during the evening, there’s a good chance you’ll be here during Happy Hour and the attractive discounts that entails.

Eat Street’s location – at a well-trafficked Calangute intersection at the midpoint between Candolim and Baga – provides an excellent vantage point for people watching, with good food and service and often a live musical show to boot. Therefore, one might ask, why bother to venture past the glass doors into the airconditioned sanctuary of sister restaurant Curry Leaf. Turns out the answer is simple. The food. In a nation where everyone expects their food to be well-spiced and rich with flavour, Curry Leaf’s selection of North and South Indian cuisine – along with a hefty dose of Goan selections – stands out. The well-conceived menu features Kastoori Kebab (juicy chicken marinated in fenugreek yoghurt), Chanchal Pomfret marinated and cooked in mustard oil, and Hyderabad Dum Biryani – plus a wide selection of interesting carbohydrates, including Masala Kulcha (stuffed roti with cottage cheese, potatoes and Indian masala).

All those who know and love Indian food understand that it comes in only two forms: inspired and uninspired. We are happy to report that the Indian creations at both Curry Leaf and Eat Street clearly fall into the former category. On a recent afternoon, we sampled lunchtime buffet offerings that included Chicken Curry, Malwani Fish Curry, Paneer Lababdar, Malwani Fish Curry, Aloo Gobi Adraki, Raita, Dal Lasooni and Cream of Tomato Soup.

Verdict: Spot on. Clearly, we’re talking about food with depth of flavour. For dessert, there’s a lot on offer, among the most interesting of which would be the Gulab Jamun, the Black Forrest Sundae and the Tiramisu.

Considering that none of these offerings will break your bank (most dishes are in the Rs 100-300 range), and that, in the cast of Eat Street, you can enjoy them at any time – day, night or middle of the night – Hotel Calangute Towers has made a noteworthy contribution to Goa’s culinary scene.  Food: Surprisingly decent Ambience: Outside and inside, warm and cool What’s Odd: A patio that appears to be an extension of another restaurant but is actually its very own place Price: Doesn’t break the bank.

Contact: Hotel Calangute Towers, Dr Jack Sequeira Junction, Opposite Calangute Village Panchayat. Phone: 0832 6636000

10 Feature

By Ashley do Rosario

The rebirth of Baina Goa’s former red-light district goes clean

Families reclaim their home beach

G

enerations of Goans, especially residents of the port town of Vasco in South Goa, had grown up learning that ‘Baina’ is a bad word. So bad a word, that kids from middle and upper-middle class families residing in the otherwise picturesque beach area, were ashamed to say they were from here.

Take the case of Erol Christopher Jorge, now 40-something and well settled in life.

While in boarding school, on the first day in class the teacher asked the students to introduce themselves and where they came from. Erol stood up and only managed― “I’m Erol Jorge. I come from ‘next to Baina’”.

For years, Baina was Goa’s only redlight district, where sailors, drunks and dicey characters of every stripe roamed in search of action. Razed by government order nearly a decade ago, the area is now beginning to show signs of life, with tourist-friendly projects replacing the brothels, and families strolling down the beach rather than prostitutes and johns.

And for the first time in a very long while, people are saying, “I’m proud to be from Baina.”

The good news comes with a catch, however. Several of the court battles emanating from the 2004 demolition are now coming to a climax, with the government being ordered to compensate

the displaced. And activists charge that the sudden demolition has had negative repercussions, including hastening the spread of AIDS by dispersing the sex trade.

For decades since liberation in 1961, when Goa gained freedom from colonial rule, and even earlier, Baina, perhaps because it is located close to the Mormugao harbour, functioned as Goa’s only organised, if not officially sanctioned, red-light area.

It was out of bounds for kids like Erol who grew up in the area. He was never clearly told what really went on in the slum, mostly occupied by migrants from neighbouring South Indian States like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

Business flourished with decades of tacit support from politicians who represented the area in those years. The illegal slum expanded and businesses like bars and restaurants kept mushrooming all along the periphery of the nearly one-kilometre-long beach. At the peak of Baina’s ‘red-light’ avatar, there were over two dozen bars in the area, most illegal sans any licencing or regulation.

Surely for the politicians, the 3,000odd vote bank that the slum and the surrounding areas held, was worth fighting for and protecting.

But the year 2004 and the iron-hand of the current Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who was also CM then, changed all that. In a momentous decision,

Feature 11

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Parrikar acted on a court order directing demolition of some 250 huts, and had the entire slum razed in a single day.The swiftness with which the administration acted left residents little time to approach higher courts and seek solace from the bull-dozers.

The action evoked mixed reactions, with some hailing the decision as a clean-up act, but many, especially nongovernment organisations (NGOs), were bitterly critical of the move and faulted him for the demolition, without any rehabilitation plan for the displaced.

Interestingly, early in January this year, the Bombay High Court ordered the Goa administration to compensate some of those who were displaced by the June 2004 demolition.

The court was adjudicating a petition filed by Anyay Rahit Zindagi (ARZ), an NGO which had assisted the displaced.

A two-judge bench of the court pronounced the verdict on January 8 and directed the administration to expedite monetary compensation and other rehabilitation packages to the sex workers and others. It also ordered that the entire process be completed in six months.

Another complaint against the demolition was that it inadvertently forced the sex workers to go underground and spread clandestinely across the state, making it next to impossible for health workers and NGOs to monitor the HIV/ AIDS situation there.

“We lost count and contact with a number of HIV victims we were monitoring. It’s not easily discernable, but it’s a fact that with this single act, the state government has spread the HIV/ AIDS spectre across the state,” said Vijay Daniels, a social worker with an NGO which functioned in the middle of the slum in 2004.

Whichever side of the fence you may have been on then, nobody can deny that the razing of the slum in 2004 has all but wiped out the ‘red-light’ tag off Baina.

Now, Baina is slowly and surely taking re-birth as a bubbly locale of the Port town. The beach, rated by many to be as good as any of its peers in Goa, is also coming of its own as a tourist attraction.

Once termed one of the dirtiest beaches, it is now a beautiful tourist destination like any of the other beaches in Goa, with water sport activities emerging as its main attraction.

“There are no beach shacks yet but we will lobby with the tourism department to include it in its scheme when they auction beach shacks at the start of the next tourism season,” says Benny Fernandes, a resident of Baina.

The beach apart, Baina got a major boost when in 2008, former minister Jose Philip D’Souza “resisted” commercial lobbies and succeeded in locating Ravindra Bhavan, a governmentsponsored cultural centre on the area where the slum once stood.

Once the Rs 40-crore project is completed and commissioned in the next few months as assured by the current Art and Culture Minister, Dayanand Mandrekar, it has the potential of

Ravindra Bhavan approaching completion at Baina

Water sports business gears up

transforming Baina into a major centre for theatre, music and even film-making.

“It will be the first of its kind in Goa which will include studio facilities for shooting full length films,” said Jose Philip D’Souza.

The area where the project is located is worth, in real estate terms, anywhere around Rs 300-crore, Jose Philip told Streets, adding: “I resisted all the forces that wanted the area for commercial use and made sure the Ravindra Bhavan was built there.”

The centre can help talent bloom and re-shape the character of Baina, Jose Philip said.

The project is being executed by the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation on behalf of the Goa government’s Department of Art and Culture. Civil works of the project had

begun in 2008 but got delayed, like so many other projects of its kind in Goa. The costs, originally estimated at Rs 25 crore, have also escalated now by nearly 100 percent to Rs 40 crore.

Erol, who grew up living in an apartment of the Salgaocar residential colony in Baina, is optimistic about the future.

“A lot of decent folks now flock to the beach for an evening out. Earlier, it was only those involved in the flesh trade and their clientele who went there,” Erol told Streets.

Erol firmly believes that once regular cultural and entertainment events begin to take place at the Ravindra Bhavan, Baina’s image will be boosted even further, making its unsavoury history a hazy memory of the distant past. 

Sunset at a better Baina

12 Adventure

Arambol on

500 bucks

By Sanket Sharma

I

t’s not hard to have a good time in laid back Arambol, made famous in the 1960s for its preponderance of long-staying hippies.

Many of these types are still around, and Arambol’s easy going vibe is still a big draw.

At the northern tip of Goa, Arambol nowadays is also very popular with families, who mingle harmoniously with the tattooed, dreadlocked denizens of this beachside paradise.

Today, Streets brings you the following itinerary – Sanket Sharma’s suggestions on how to have a wonderful evening in Arambol on just 500 bucks.

4.00 pm, Rs 500 Arrive at Arambol beach. Once at the beach you will see a long coastline which goes down south to the neighbouring Mandrem beach and up north beyond the hills. Having arrived, start walking towards the north, which will lead you to the freshwater lake. If lost, ask anyone for directions, and they will guide you back to your path. The route is a rather adventurous and picturesque one, and getting your camera out at this time would be a fine move. Walk at the foot of the hills, where along with a bumpy road, you will also encounter a lot of shops for clothes and beads. Buy a bottle of water at one of the stores, which will keep you hydrated on your 15-minute walk. Indulging in shopping can be fun, but any shopping done cannot be included in this mini budget. With the hill on one side and the sea on the other, there will be abundance of photo ops, so click away at whatever catches your fancy. When you have had your photo fill, head straight to the lake.

Total expense (water bottle) = Rs 15

5.00 pm, Rs 485

As you reach the lake, you can see the beach extended all the way there and further.

You can start by taking a dip in the shallow lake, and then move on to swim in the sea as well. While swimming in the lake be careful of the lake bed, it can sometimes poke your feet. Advisable to wear slippers. After a long lazy swim, lie on the sands and soak in the sun and the sky. And then plonk yourself at

one of the nearby beach shacks with a pint and fries to enjoy the beautiful sunset.

Pint: Rs 50 + Fries:Rs 60 Total expense = Rs 110

7.30 pm, Rs 375

The lazy evening should get you charged up for a night of fun. Walk back to the beach, which will now be embedded with neon lights from the shacks, along with candle lit tables out on the beach. Stroll out to the streets where you will see a few more shops and shacks, saunter on till you reach Loekie’s Cafe.

Right next door is Sporting Heroes, a live music spot just like Loekie’s. One of the main advantages of staying in Arambol is that is there is live music almost every day here. Sporting Heroes has music on a few select days, but you will most definitely find live music at Loekie’s every night. Loekie’s is a hot spot for musicians and other entertainers, and every night you can enjoy their company. Settle in and order a couple of pints, while enjoying artist after artist perform and time will fly by like the wind. If you are up for it, you can even pitch in to perform a song or a poem, or even a few jokes.

Total expense (2 beers)= Rs 120

9.30 pm, Rs 255

Drag yourself away from the music now, you ol’ beach bum, and hit the street again.

Walk on down south for a while where you can see a variety of shops and eateries. Shops abound― selling T-shirts, shawls, second hand books, wines, furniture, etc. Again,

shopping can be fun, especially when there is so much to choose from. But then again, you need a separate time and budget for that. So indulge in a little window shopping and then head back to the beach. On your way back you will notice a little joint called ‘Double Dutch’ which serves one of the best desserts in Arambol. ‘Buddha’s Delight’ will cost you Rs 70 and should also keep you company on your walk back to the beach.

Total expense (dessert) = Rs 70

10.15 pm, Rs 185

Once at the beach you can pick any of the various shacks that are laid out side by side. You can compare prices, food items and choose your pad. Most shacks are equally priced. While there is a lot to choose from, Israeli food is the best in this cluster of eateries. Make yourself comfortable and order an Israeli platter and a beverage to go along. The night sky is a great visual spectacle from this part of the state. On a good night, the unpolluted sky is filled with hundreds of stars. A good dinner and relaxed seating makes this night view perfect. Chill out and absorb this outer dimensional beauty for some time after your dinner. Around this time, the rhythmic throbbing of bongos, acoustic guitars and harps rises from different places on the beach, where the night people can be seen in their little impromptu circles.

Rs 160 (Platter) + Rs 25 (drink) Total expense = Rs 185

11.30 pm, Rs 0

You can walk up and start a conversation with any of these good people or just request to join one of their groups. Most of these will be travellers from different countries and continents who have met each other on the road, and will be happy to include you. A sense of community is what these people like to feel and enjoy, and don’t be surprised if you get offered beers and cigarettes from them. A jolly time is all they are looking for, and ending your day in that vibe will be memorable for you. Passionate music is what they communicate and bond with, and the sounds of their acoustic guitars and bongos fill the air. Again, you can contribute a tune, if you feel like it. After a good hour and half later, you bid adieu to your new friends and head back home, with your head filled with the stars and songs of Arambol. 

13 Thursday, March 21, 2013

Mar 21

Mar 21 to Mar 23

Entrepreneurship Development Programme

Regular Meeting of ICG Toastmaster International Club At The International Centre Goa, Dona Paula @ 5.45 pm to 7.30 pm +919765404391/+918322452805

At Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Panjim @ 10 am to 5 pm +918322285475/+919766448827

Mar 22

Mar 23 to Mar 24

Tuk Tuk

From apparel to jewellery, bags to accessories, everything at Tuk Tuk is handpicked from across India.

At A104, Pereira Plaza, Opp.Hospicio, Margao @ 10.30 am 1 pm & 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm +919049017182

World Water Day It Will focus on how effective is the Goa Ground Water Regulation Act 2002 & Rules 2003 At The Goa Desc Resource Centre No.ll Liberary Apartments Feira Alta, Mapusa @ 4 to 6 pm

Meditation and Healing Session

Monday & Friday

Mar 23

Upto Mar 31

Well Women Health Check-up

Martial Arts, Fitness, Health & Selfdefence Trainer: Vincent Rosario, Introductory Fee: Rs. 400 per month At The International Centre Goa, Dona Paula @ 5.15 pm to 6.15 pm +919823696138

Bodybuilding Championship At Pimple Kata, Margao +919822164659/+919923009889

‘Radiant Hues of Femininity’ At Kala Academy, Panjim +918322420453

Mar 24

Workshop on Writing Detective Novels & Suspenseful Stories At The International center Goa, Dona Paula @ 10.30 am +919765404391/+918322452805

Swimathon

At Bambolim beach @ 8 am +919822182415/+918888250019

Mar 27

Sacred Choral Concert for Holy Week

At Siddha Shakti Kundalini Meditation Trust International, Calangute @ 4 pm

At Nusi Wockhardt Hospital, Cuncolim +918326684444

Up to May 1 Yoga Classes

At Art Escape-Resort, Benaulim From 7.30 am to 8.30 am & 5 pm – 6 pm +919881568756/+919323590051

Every Tuesday Zumba Fitness

Learn a variety of rhythms including salsa, merengue, samba, flamenco, reggae and more from Zumba fitness instructor Cecille Rodriguez.

At Grand Hyatt Goa, Bambolim From 6 pm to 7 pm +918323011603/ +918323011604

At Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa @ 6.30 pm

Every Thursday

Mar 28

Zumba in the water. A water-based workout for cardio-conditioning and bodytoning At Grand Hyatt Goa, Bambolim From 10 am to 11 am +918323011603/ +918323011604

Cricket Coaching Camp

At Multipurpose HS Ground, Borda, Margao @ 7 am to 9 am & 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm

Mar 30

Aqua Zumba

Every Friday

Free Swimming Guidance

Sethu Workshop At Menezes Polyclinic, Altinho, Panjim @ 9.30 am to 12.30 pm +918326513747

Organised by Walter Macarena At International Center Goa, Dona Paula from 5 pm to 7 pm +919822911161

Mar 20th to Mar 24th

Every Sunday

Goa Expo 2013 Presented by Enhance Exhibition & Events., Variety of Decorative Product, Full Family entertainment, Delicious food, Discount Rates At Ravindra Bhawan, Margao @ 11 am to 9 pm +918975453600

Tailoring Classes

Mar 23 to Mar 24

By Ms. Hoor Girglani Monday to Friday At International Centre Goa, Dona Paula @ 8 am to 9.30 am 5 pm to 6.30 pm +919765404391/+918322452805-10

Workshop on Jin Shin Do Body mind Acupressure Ticket Rs 1500/At Gallery Gitanjali, Panjim +917350530445/+918322226523

April 1 to April 8

Kayaking & Training Program 2013 At Vasco and Panjim +919422056037

Near Holy Family School, Porvorim From 3 pm to 6 pm 919765731003

Everyday

Yoga for the Body, Mind & Soul

Want to be Fit & Healthy

Presented by Calburn Fitness Solutions in association with the ICG At The International Centre Goa, Dona Paula. +919811511595/ +919823578880

Taekwondo Sessions

Spice Farms

Sahakari Spice Farm

Guests are entertained by folk dances, elephant rides, art of climbing the tall betel nut palms and swinging from one stalk to the other. Lunch in earthen pots and banana leaves.

At Ponda Belgaum highway, Curti.

Call: +918322312394 or Email: info@sahakarifarms.com

Tropical spice plantation

Elephant rides, authentic Goan cuisine, mini bird sanctuary and a boat to row or paddle.

At Arla Bazar Keri, Ponda For reservation call: +918322340329 or Email: tropicalspice@ rediffmail.com

Savoi Plantation

Offers traditional Goan Saraswat cuisine served in mud pots and banana leaf plates along with seasonal fruits grown in the plantation.

At Ponda For reservation call: +918322340272/ +919423888899 or Email: savaiplantation@rediffmail.com

Water sports Scuba Diving

Attractive corals, coloured and beautiful, shells and fishes all invite exploration.

At Scuba Diving India, Alfran Plaza, M.G. Rd, Panjim @ 9 am to 5 pm. +918326711999

Barracuda Diving India

Pool parties and underwater celebrations among other water sports activities.

At Sun Village Resort, Baga, Arpora & Chalston Beach Resort, Calangute 2269409/ +91 9822182402

Dive Goa

A dive shop and training centre established by Ajey Patil - marine engineer, naturalist, raconteur and PADI certified dive instructor.

At O’ Pescador Resort, Dona Paula, Panjim +91 9325030110

Dolphin Sighting Trip

Four to five hours trip includes Bbq, Free beers and soft drinks. Also offers No See – No Pay policy as far as dolphin sighting is concerned.

Sinquerim – Baga beach stretch +91 9822182814/+918326520190 or Email: johnsboattours@gmail.com

Goa Aquatics

Offers Scuba Diving Equipment retail at competitive international price.

At Little Italy, Opp Tarcar Ice Factory, Calangute. +91 9822685025

Splashdown

Fatima Menezes E Moniz Cooking classes, Raia. 2776035

Cynthia Dsouza Cooking Classes Verna. 2783281

Water Park that boasts of 5 pools, a variety of slides, flumes and other interesting features.

At Splashdown Waterpark, CalanguteAnjuna +91 9637424023/024, 2273008,

Bertha Pereira Cooking Classes

Museums

Caranzalem. 2462163

Goa Chitra

Ethnographic museum that preserves its universality in its collections of artifacts representing the culture of ancient Goa. At Goa Chitra, Mondo-Waddo, Benaulim @ 9 am to 5 pm +91 9850466165/ 6570877, Email: goachitra@gmail.com

Big Foot Cross Museum

Houses 80 classifications of crosses of around the world.

At Big Foot, Loutolim @ 10 am to 5 pm 2777034

Ancestral Goa

A center for Preservation & Promotion of Art, Culture & Environment started by Maendra J. A. Alvares.

At Big Foot, Loutolim @ 9.30 am to 6 pm 2777034, info@ancestralgoa.com

Casa Araujo Alvares

Goa`s first automated sound and light museum. A 250 year old mansion showcasing traditional inheritance.

At Loutolim @ 9.30 am to 5.30 pm 2777034

Goa Science Centre & Planetarium

2734589. Margao

Vandana’s Bakery Classes Caranzalem. 2462163

Meena’s Cooking Classes GESTO Culinary & Hospitality Academy Margao, 2730873

Branca’s Cooking Classes Panjim. 9822131835

Fatima Moniz

Cooking courses, Margao.

2776035/ +91 9370275702 Dance

David Furtado Dance & Aerobics

@ Panjim, Mapusa, Porvorim, Candolim, Aldona and Saligao.

Learn Salsa, Jive Waltz for Adults & Bollywood, Hip Hop & Contemporary dance for kids. +91 9975914195

Cyrus Da Costa Dance Classes

Monday to Saturday Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, Cha Cha Cha, Jive, Margao. 2715906/ 9921039537

Dr. Martin & Dance Illusions Team

@ Panjim, Vasco, Margao Waltz, Jive, Cha Cha-cha, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Salsa +91 9823014397

Dance for Life Academy Mapusa 9823765523

Exhibits and playthings which provide means to experience and explore science while playing with them.

Entertaining shows on wonders and magic of night sky @ planetarium.

At Goa Science Centre, Miramar, Panjim @ 10 am to 6 pm 2463426

Jason and Sylvia dance academy

Courses LANGUAGES

Learn dancing Mapusa 9890163433/7798609859

Hip/Hop, Bollywood, Latin American, Jazz Ballet for Kids Panjim/Mapusa 9822161652/9822151614

Snaden Shawn dance and aerobics

Alliance Francaise

Nritya Sankul

St. Britto

Kalangan

Learn French courses, Panjim 2420049/ +91 9922813950 Learn French, Mapusa 2293812/ +91 9049018214

Don Bosco Provincial House Odxel Beginner’s German language course

COOKING

Theresa’s Cookery Classes Margao +91 9970037242

Cooking Classes for foreigners Detroit Institute +91 9822131835.

Taengs Cookery Classes Margao. +91 9822585944

Margao 9823936483/9689468712 Margao. 2735191

Asha Shivam Porvorim 2410357

Dance Illusions Panjim 9823014397

Fatima’s Ballroom Dance Classes Margao. 2786191

Maxie’s Guitar and Dance Classes Panjim. 2230178

Osler Furtado Dance Classes Porvorim. 9822481695

14 Cover Story

Goa Glamour T

hey run around backstage between changes, shuffling in 6-inch stilettos as next season’s fabrics fly off the racks onto tall lithe bodies that will show them off to eager consumers. All eyes will be on what’s hot for summer – for some it’s the clothes, for others it’s who’s on the catwalk.

Enter the world of modeling in Goa. As the state assumes its rightful place on the national and international fashion stage, these are the young women and men on the front lines of Goa’s style revolution.

Yes, it turns out little Goa is making a big mark on the world of fashion. From world-class designers like Wendell Rodricks, Savio Jon and Monty Sally to models who’ve made it big on the national and international stage to a distinctive, breezy style that encapsulates the essence of the state – Goan fashion certainly isn’t just for Goans anymore.

Call it Goa Chic. A world of free-spirited, fun-loving, profoundly attractive models and the styles they project. Goan fashion has its roots in delicate Buddhist drapes, ornamental Hindu costumes and the finely cut fabrics of Muslims. When they arrived in Goa, Portuguese colonialists adapted their traditional dress to the steamy climate of the Western Ghats, and the new Goan Catholics took on a style of dress that drew inspiration from all of the above.

Now Goa, where the first ever IndoWestern garments appeared, is exporting its unique brand of fashion to the rest of India and abroad. And it’s a two-way street. The state has attracted a number of notable designers from around India and the world, including Malini Ramani, Jade

Jagger and Miriam Strehlau.

And what’s it like for the models at the centre of Goa’s fashion boom?

“There’s always a new face in the industry so you’ve got to keep getting out there and reminding photographers and designers that you’re around,” says Naomi Pereira, a young model taking her first steps onto the ramp. As the fashion world blossoms, so does the competitive nature of modeling, and it’s a constant battle to stay at the top of the game― staying fit, keeping yourself grounded and playing smart.

When top model Waluscha Robinson turned heads as a new entrant in the industry in the late 90s, she was barely out of school, but determined to make her mark. “I made friends and had a lot of fun,” she reminisces, but is quick to add that the times have changed. “Everything now is cut-throat and it’s a dog-eat-dog world,” she says. Much time has passed since her first assignment but the leggy beauty is still a part of the fashion world.

Wendell Rodricks believes there’s a significant pool of talent in the state.

“There are many aspiring models in Goa and quite a few can make it if they invest in themselves. The industry in India today is professional and organised,” he explains.

Despite the glitzy façade of beautiful faces, the industry subjects its workforce to a great many demands. “Do not expect pampering,” Wendell advises aspiring Goan models. “We expect models to be punctual, have the necessary clothing and non-makeup accessories needed at fittings, a professional behavior that does

Photograp h by Edric

By Dielle D’Souza

George

Savvy, brave and beautiful – Goan models make their mark

not resort to drama and hysterics, and above all, cleanliness,” he adds.

Zain Lakhani, a Panjim-based model, used to suffer from a bout of nerves each time he stepped onto the stage. Having the courage to sign up for Youth Eye in 2009 changed all that. “The pageant helped boost my confidence since we received a training session as part of it. I overcame my stage fright and became camerafriendly,” he says.

Being crowned Best Promising Male Model and 2nd Runner Up at Gladrags in 2002 opened a whole new arena for Dhiraj Amonkar.

“Walking the ramp is an amazing experience,” he confides. “The rush is high as everyone is looking at you. In the moments before I first step onto the ramp, there are butterflies in my stomach as I get a little nervous, but when I take my first step, everything becomes so perfect.

And it’s nice to wear something before everyone else wears it.”

The appeal of the industry not only lies in being counted as some of the most

beautiful people around, but also in the perks that come with strutting clothes for top designers. Wendell explains, “Apart from the gym and a bit of beauty, cosmetics and basic clothing, models get most of the rest free. The five-star hotels, flights, meals, chauffeured cars, make-up and hair teams, the shoes, all are provided for. All a model needs to do is appear with clear skin and a clean body. We do the rest.”

While in the race to be showstopper, the usual suspects of eating disorders and stress do pull the plug on some careers. “Today, many designers just want hangers – ‘wear my clothes, walk down the ramp’ – and expect their models to be scrawny and thin,” says Waluscha bluntly.

Wendell is constantly warning upcoming models about “middle agencies who are often a con job”. The veteran designer says “I have seen many models keep a level head and as many fall prey to becoming victims of ills that any industry

Printed and published by Marisha Dutt for and on behalf of Free Voice Media Pvt Ltd at Gomantak Pvt. Ltd. Plot no. 4/4A, Corlim IDC, Tiswadi Goa, 403 110. Editor: José Lourenço. Regd. Office: 711/32, Green Hill, Socorro, Porvorim 403 501. Editorial Office : H. No. 133, Mae De Deus Vaddo, Sangolda, Bardez, Goa 403 511. (R.N.I. registration no. applied for and under process).

Cover Story 15

Thursday, March 21, 2013

has.”

His protégé Waluscha agrees. “It’s because of the agencies that everything is cut-throat. They take cuts here and there.

Let’s say you get a campaign. There’ll be someone out there who will come up and offer to do it for something less. It’s getting to the point where you have to grab your work.”

Goan designer Monty Sally, too, believes there’s a crowd in the industry. “The world of modelling today is super competitive with a prospective model walking through the doorways of any agency every day.”

But the clocks are constantly ticking.

The fashion world plays checkers with trends as much as it does with the models who strut the style. Across the world, street-smart models are planning a smooth exit even as they put their best foot forward. From Kate Moss who started a beauty line, to Tyra Banks who immersed herself in photography, music and television, to India’s own bevy of beauties Aishwarya Rai, Priyanka Chopra and others who turned to acting, modelling has always been a chic raft to another career.

As one of Goa’s favourite exports to the fashion industry, Waluscha found her footing, did her jig and got out when her priorities changed. Today, she teaches make-up and does styling and grooming like a lot of others in the country. And she believes this is how the industry works.

“You come here, enjoy your time, do your bit, and before you’re kicked out, you should walk out and have something to fall back on.”

Sparsha Deshpande, who was 18 when she won Miss Goa 2010, also sees modeling as a stepping stone. “There’s a commercial arena you can tap,” she opines.

If you are crowned Miss India, what would you do first?

“You can get into training, be a brand ambassador of a product, do films and a lot more.

Modeling is the foundation.”

Adds Dhiraj, “You need to keep reinventing yourself, pushing your boundaries and limits. Models who are good in expressing themselves get into movies.” He prefers to chase his dreams as “the sexiest superstar in Bollywood” and admits that visions like this involve “big risks”.

Wendell estimates a five-year term for a model who approaches the industry willing to learn and blinker herself against the “many distractions that come in the field of the glamour industry”. Yet he cites examples like Anna Bredmeyer and Nayanika Chatterjee who have modeled well into their forties.

During her time in the industry, Waluscha has seen many who faded away as quickly as they appeared. She’s seen others struggle through the initial years of their careers but are now at the top of their game. “I think the shelf life of a model is about six to seven years on average,” she opines. “There are girls who’ve been around for a very long time, and have reached the top now. Once at the top, they’ll have another three to four years.”

Like any other industry, the pay scales can tip in a fortunate direction depending on how popular a model is. In Goa, cheques between Rs 2,000 to Rs 15,000 can be expected for a ramp show based on

Miss India Pageant

I would fight for world peace and garbage collection in Goa

where one is on the spectrum, and Rs 20,000 is acceptable for a shoot.

According to Waluscha, the laid-back attitude of Goans lends a touch of vulnerability in the fashion world. “We’re just very funloving. We need to learn to be sharp and cultivate that,” she says.

Not that there’s any shortage of “sharp” people in the Goan fashion world.

Wendell, the undisputed King of Goan fashion and one of the top 10 designers in all of India, has showcased in Germany a collection of “organic clothing” called Eco Goa that’s made from natural leaves, fruit skins, flowers and bark. That’s in addition to his collection inspired by the distinctive saris of the state’s underprivileged Kunbi tribe, reviving ancient techniques of knitting and weaving cotton and silk.

Edwin Pinto and his wife Angela are capturing the “the bohemian ambience of Goa and the free spirit of Goans” through their shoe brand Janota, which means chic in Portuguese.

And then there’s designer James Ferreira, who’s making a splash with his

India Resort Fashion Week showcasing, among other styles, “resort wear”.

For those who wear the “wear”, there are some pretty strict rules about body size and proportion that, to the uninitiated ear, may seem a tad unfair – given that not all these things are under one’s control.

Wendell is explicit when he insists on consistency in weight and measurements as a pre-requisite to success. “This is an industry which thrives on perfection and clothes are made to fit a certain size. I know it is bizarre to expect a line-up of almost factory-produced models, but this is how the industry operates world-wide,” he says.

He suggests that models should be over 5’9” and adhere to a 32-25-36 size which saves the designer any stress related to reconstructing an entire dress during fittings. “Goan models must work towards attaining that size. If Waluscha and Ignatius can make it, so can the average model who works hard on ‘creating’ that special aura of a good model.”

Glamour aside, the fashion industry is teeming with talent – the intense rivalry forming the underbelly of an otherwise slick exterior that sees more beautiful people coming in every day. The ones who manage to stick around need to prove they’re more than just pretty faces. 

16 Cover Story

Goa’s hope for the

Miss India crown advice that has encouraged me to make a mature decision.

JR: Do you follow Bollywood? Are you of the opinion that the ‘item number’ dishonors a woman?

GAIL: “Yes I am sort of a movie buff and a huge Shah Rukh Khan fan. I believe that no one intentionally endeavors to get portrayed negatively in the media.

I don’t see the item number as a vulgar performance. It is an element of the film and there’s a sense of dignity to the act.

JR: Imagine being eve-teased; how would you react to the situation? What is your reply to all the sexist leaders who

Gail Da Silva

“She looked like autumn, when leaves turned and fruit ripened.” ― Sarah Addison Allen, Garden Spells

When nineteen year old Gail Da Silva heard the crowd burst into a thunderous applause as she won the title of ‘Femina Miss India Goa 2013’, she knew the fairytale journey had just begun. This dynamic teenager is a mixture of cute and sexy. Stimulated and inspired by former Miss India winners, she is excited to be in the running for this year’s title. The race is on―she’s leaving no brow unattended, no lash unlined in her passionate effort to wear the crown. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the preparatory sessions, she was kind enough to oblige a few moments for a chat with Jonathan Rodrigues…

JR: I suppose you are done packing and all raring to get to the Miss India Preliminaries. How do these workshops help a contestant?

GAIL: I am practically living every little girl’s dream. As a kid I used to spend hours admiring all the contestants and judges at beauty pageants and today I

am out there. There is a lot of hard work involved at workshops. We are trained in almost every aspect of speaking, walking and sitting. Body language is given prime importance.

JR: You hail from Orlim, a lovely coastal village in South Goa. How has the countryside aided your family in nurturing you?

GAIL: I am the only child and my parents would always want me to be happy. They are very excited about my decision to give this opportunity a chance.

In fact, it is my family’s support and

keep jibing at a woman’s dress code?

GAIL: Ideally I see three options – ignore, retort back or get offensive. It depends from situation to situation but I am not the one who would scream, I would probably slap the person. I don’t see why these people have a problem if we want to walk around in pretty clothes.

Their concern portrayed is fake and biased.

JR: What do you do, besides being obsessed with looking at yourself in the

mirror?

GAIL: That is absolutely not true (she laughs). I even do my make up in a hurry, we are actually trained to be self-efficient.

I love listening to old classic songs – Bryan Adams and MLTR are my favourites.

Besides, I just love walking the ramp.

JR: Tell us something that we may not know about you.

GAIL: I wake up early. I can’t stay idle, I have to do something or the other. I love food, I can’t imagine dieting. I am also an environmental freak, I try and do my bit to keep the place clean. Small comments from family and friends matter to me more than any laurels I could receive.

JR: Religion – does it mean something to you?

GAIL: See, religion is man made, but it is essential that I respect the views of others, as I stay faithful to mine. No one has the right to compare religious beliefs.

JR: You are beautiful and single. Is there a man in your life?

GAIL: I am friendly and full of enthusiasm, so I would need a supportive partner to complement my personality.

But for my own reasons and the present career lifestyle; I don’t think I have the space for a relationship right now.

JR: Youngsters normally look up to a personality while growing up. Did you follow any real life inspiration figure?

GAIL: Sushmita Sen is such an inspiration. However I consider Lara Dutta my idol. I have watched every video of Lara and am mesmerized by the way she speaks and presents herself. She is so confident and strong, yet so sweet and encouraging.

JR: The whole of Goa will be rooting for you at the pageant and I am sure you will inspire many others to make their opportunities count. Rehearse your winning speech, Miss India.

GAIL: I am deeply grateful for all the support I have and will receive. Currently I love what I am doing. I would say, stick to your dream, persevere and work hard. Even if you don’t get there, you will be pleased that you gave it your all.

If you win; make sure you meet those expectations that you promised. 

18

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT

www.goastreets.com/arts&entertainment

Thursday, March December 21, 2013 13, 2012

Mar 21

Konkani Play: Pisudlelim Fulam Directed by Lawry Travasso At Kala Academy, Panjim @ 3.30 pm. +918322420453

Mar 23

Starry, Starry Night

Featuring the Retro band, “ACOUSTRIX” In a Live tribute to the Acoustic Guitar At Goa - Chitra, Benaulim @ 8 pm +918326570877/+918322772910/ +919850446065

Mar 24 to Mar 26

Film Course workshop at Ravindra Bhavan,

The workshop will consist of a course in Cinematography, Screen Play and Acting. The workshop on Cinematography will be conducted by the renowned Cinematographer Shri Shrish Desai, the workshop on acting will be conducted by Jyoti Dogra and on Screen Play by Harini Calamur. For more details contact Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, 2726980.

Feb 23 to Mar 30

Charlie & the Music Factory Live

Mar 26

At Art Escape, Benaulim @ 7 pm to 11 pm +919323590051

The Haydn Baryton trio From Budapest At Art chamber, Calangute @ 7.30 pm +919823217435

Feb 25 to Mar 26

Classical Music Soiree

Indian classical night

The 20th Programme At Art Chamber, Calangute @ 7.30 pm. +919823217435

At Art Escape, Benaulim @ 7 pm +919323590051

Bonjour India Festival

Mar 11 to April 10

French Writer, Chowra Makaremi in conversation with Dr. Edith Mela Furtado At Goa University, Dona Paula @ 4 pm At Sunaparanta, Panjim @ 6.30 pm +918322420049

Holi Tandav 2013

At PDAQ Joggers Park Alto Pilerna Porvorim @ 9 am

Mar 16 to Mar 24 Musical Series

At Altiques N Ethinix, Porvorim @ 10 am to 8 pm

Mar 21 to Mar 23 Carpe Diem Art & Learning Centre, Majorda presents an exhibition of art by visually impaired artist Stacy Rodrigues.

This collection of over 20 paintings, acrylic on canvas, dwells on her personal struggle and triumph over her disability. Her collection of 48 poems ‘Reflections’ will also be available.

At Carpe Diem, Majorda From 10 am to 6 pm +918888862462

Mar 22 to April 22

An Exhibition: The Pepper Cross At Kerkar Art Gallery, Calangute @ 6.30 pm +918322276017

Mar 23 to Mar 24 Bikers Night Out At Panjim @ 5 pm +919822123458

Konknni Basic Course in Roman Script At Porvorim From 2.15 pm to 5.15 pm

Art of Living

Sacred Choral Concert

Art Exhibition

Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr

Mar 22 to Mar 24

Mar 27

At Bom Jesus Basilica, Old Goa @ 6.30 pm +919011051950

Short bursts of creative firepower

Learn Sudarshan kriya and stay stress free from work, exams, targets, etc.

At Housing board colony, Porvorim +919422063255/ +919423884822

Shooting for a film by Dayanand Gayak in progress

Mar 22 to Mar 31

‘Pop’, Art Exhibition

At Gallery Gitanjali, Panjim +918322435628

Upto April 30

Indian Classical Music At Art Escape, Benaulim @ 7.30 pm. +917350400655

Everyday

Ruchika’s Art Gallery

Ruchika`s Art Gallery displays fine arts, performing arts and new forms of art.

Opp. Goa Marriott Resort, Miramar.

From 10.30 am to 6 pm +918322465875/ +919850571283/ +919881836400

Galleria Ralino

Painting Art Gallery At Souza towers, Panaji +918322228370

Kerkar Art Gallery

Installations and sculptures and paintings

by Dr.Subodh Kerkar. It also showcases works by contemporary artists from all over India.

At Gauravaddo, Calangute From 10 am to 7 pm +918322276017

Casa Popular

At Municipal Market, Panaji +918322262135

By Pantaleao Fernandes

A

short film unravels on the screen, showing a rowdy group of men crowding a girl. The scene shifts to a girl’s slipper on the floor. A man’s shoe drops on it. Then another man’s sandal falls on them. And another, until five to six male shoes and sandals have piled on the girl’s footwear. It is a cinematic metaphor for eve teasing and rape, as the shoes then get off, one by one, leaving the female slipper alone again.

The film, only a couple of minutes long, has been shot on a cell phone camera by a group of students for a short film competition at the Yuvamahotsav youth festival in Goa. Today anyone with a cell phone or a compact camera is a potential filmmaker. Young people all over Goa are now harnessing their creative energies to produce short films that are amazingly original in style and content.

The annual Yuvamahotsav festival has been running this Konkani short film contest for 4 years now. Chetan Acharya, current President of Konkani Bhasha Mandal, the host institution of the festival, is enthused by the response.

“The length of the film has to be between a half to two minutes,” said Acharya, adding that the contest now receives about 15 entries each year. The film has to be shot on the grounds of Yuvamahotsav.

The footage is then edited overnight at Tiger Studios, a film editing centre based at Chowgule College in Margao. No dubbing takes place, and no special effects are allowed. The next day the films are screened for the jury and prizes are awarded on the final day of the festival.

“We try to inculcate a film culture among the students,” asserts Acharya. “Next year we intend to provide compact cameras to the teams, as the low resolution of older cellphone cameras tends to pixellate the films, making them unsuitable for showing on larger screens. If any of the participants actually fall in love with filmmaking and take it up as a profession, we will be able to say it all started with this contest. That will make us very proud.”

Anand Masur, an associate professor of Mathematics at Chowgule College, is the mentor at Tiger Studios. He talks enthusiastically of another short film from the contest this year, one with a strong anti-smoking message. It showed a young boy being buried in a coffin made out of cigarettes. The cell phone eye pans to mourners who arrive to condole the family not with flowers, but with cigarette packets.

“At Tiger Studios we have a full fledged setup, with 3 digital video cameras, of JVC and Sony make, and a Canon 5D camera too” informs Masur. “We have 2D and 3D animation facilities, jib cranes, dolly tracks, all kinds of lighting, and

Arts&Entertainment 19

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Chaku Arts and Crafts Painting Art Gallery At Vaddy, Candolim +918322279039

Mario’s Art Gallery Painting Art Gallery At Chandor, Salcete +919850460095

Panaji Art Gallery

Promotes Goan Art Figurative and individual works of artists.

At Panaji Art Gallery From 9 am to 8 pm. +919822168703

Jupiter Arts

At Jamundas building, Sangolda. +918322650784

Exhibition of paintings

Xavier centre of historical research

With particular emphasis on contemporary cultural and social issues affecting the State of Goa. At B B Borkar Rd, Porvorim +918322417772

The Gallery displays paintings on canvas of original art & international print arts.

It also showcases works by contemporary artists from India & abroad.

At Arte Douro Art Gallery, Calangute from 9 am to 9 pm +9183222882266 / +919822147148

Menezes Braganza hall At Ferry wharf, Panaji +918322224143

Art Escape

Art Escape Goa is a knowledge sharing our of home experience through learn-bydoing workshops which include painting, Pottery, photography, theatre, dance, films, yoga, recycling & waste Management. At Art Escape, Benaulim +919892286666/+919881568756/ +919323590051

Gallery Gitanjali

At Opp Panaji Inn, Fontainhas From 9 am to 9 pm. +919823572035

Carpe Diem

Carpe Diem, a newly opened art and learning centre in Majorda.

At Majorda From 10 am to 6 pm +918888862462

Yemanja Art Gallery Painting Art Gallery At Betim, Reis Magos +918322416930

Persian Arts and Crafts At Taj holiday village, Sinquerim +918322479016

Surya Art Gallery

Here contemporary works of canvas paintings on Goan subject and art crafts are displayed.

At Bandawalwada, Pernem +919404149764/ +919422064754

Big Foot Art Gallery

Display of works by various artists from India and abroad.

At Big Foot Art Gallery, Loutolim from 9 am to 6 pm +918322777034

Moksa Art Gallery

Displays of Contemporary Art are displayed by Salvador Fernandez.

At Naika Vaddo, Calangute From 9.30 am to 8.30 pm +918322281121/+919326717386

Arte Douro Art Gallery

The Gallery displays paintings on canvas of original art & international print arts.

At Porba Vaddo, Calangute From 9 am to 9 pm +919822147148

Picturesque

The museum displays works of Original Art & International print arts.

At near Domino’s Pizza, Panaji From 9 am to 1.30 pm & 3.30 pm to 7 pm +919822124245

Rosem villa Art Gallery At Porvorim +918322276329

Rajshree Bandodkar Karapurkar’s animated short film ‘Bondla Zoo’ even a Steady Cam that can be worn on the body.

There are 2 editors and 2 animators who work in-house.”

Films and filmmaking have become household words in Goa since the annual International Film Festival of India (IFFI) settled down in Goa in 2004. The festival also ran a Short Film Centre in 2010 and 2011, showcasing short films from all over the world, including a few from Goa, mostly as a platform for buying and selling them.

Rajshree Bandodkar Karapurkar wrote and directed a 24-minute Konkani animation film on the environment. It was well received by the media, which showcased the film on local channels.

“This inspired me and I worked on my next short animation film Bondla Zoo for the Goa Forest Department and then came ‘Mosquito Control! I can do it’ for the National Academy of Vector-borne Diseases,” Rajshree says.

Baban Bhagat’s film entitled Eke Daryadeger (On the Shore of A Sea) based on the police-drug peddler nexus, won an award at a filmmaking workshop, despite being his first foray into films.

“The award gave my confidence a tremendous boost and I began to think that if I take it seriously I can even make a full length film,” says Bhagat.

“After that I have made 2 short films and have produced a documentary titled Plastic Life. The name of my second short film is AnkuriShe Is Precious. The message is to save the girl child.”

From the remote

village of Shristhal, Dayanand Gayak has been struggling to make a short film for many months.

But he doesn’t have the money for it.

“Budget is very important. Money plays an important role in filmmaking,” he says.

Gayak has a background in arts and music and has acted in over 25 theatre productions. He wants to use the medium of short films to tell of his own life experiences.

Ravindra Bhavan in Margao is once again organizing a Film Course workshop from 24th to 26th March 2013. The workshop will consist of a course in Cinematography, Screen Play and Acting. The workshop on Cinematography will be conducted by the renowned Cinematographer Shri Shrish Desai, the workshop on acting will be conducted by Jyoti Dogra and on Screen Play by Harini Calamur. For more details contact Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, Ph 2726980. 

20 Books Photographs by Daryl Andrade

understanding.

AD: But art has always been elitist, Aesthetics is not easy to understand. The availability of art is also limited to those who can afford it. How do you bring in more people?

DG: We must understand the motivations of the individual, whether he is a buyer or seller or an investor or an artist.

AD: So what does the new buyer do to start?

DG: A lot of research. Go to galleries, find out who are their top 3 artists, what is the current trend. Find out about the primary and secondary markets for these works. Attend gallery openings, art auctions and exhibitions, talk to curators and find out who are their top artists.

AD: But how approachable is the artist or a gallery? Can an artist just walk up to Anjolie Ela Menon and talk to her?

Secrets of the Art Millionaires

By José Lourenço

I

n recent years, the works of painters like Tyeb Mehta, Syed Hyder Raza and Goa’s own Francis Newton Souza have been sold for millions of dollars. Just before the recession crashed in, Souza’s painting titled ‘Birth’ sold for over 2.5 million dollars at a Christie’s auction in 2008. Two years later the art market bounced back in style, and Raza’s acrylic on canvas Saurashtra went under the hammer in 2010 for 3.5 million!

Who are the millionaires buying these works? Many of them are private art buyers who speculate in art, much as stock traders work the market. What is the code by which these mysterious merchants of the art operate? Durva Gandhi promises to reveal all in her new book Secrets of the Art Millionaires. She was in conversation with Anil Dharker, writer and columnist, at the Sunaparanta Center for the Arts in Panjim on Saturday 16th March, where her book was launched. Durva Gandhi is an art collector, publisher, curator and founder of the art portal breathearts.com. She has also been one of the youngest members on the executive committee of the Friends of the NGMA―National Gallery of Modern Arts.

Here are excerpts from the GandhiDharker conversation: ANIL DHARKER: There are problems in the art market, not enough art buyers. In the art market there are always the same set of faces. How does one bring in more people?

DURVA GANDHI: The market has to be made more inclusive, we have to spread the aesthetic. We must spread awareness

Anil Dharker in conversation with Durva Gandhi at Sunaparanta Art Centre

of what to buy and how to buy. The way it is now, a small market, that’s due to the attitudes of galleries. Most people are intimidated by galleries. People also want to engage with art, not just buy. We have to make them aware of the market, share our mistakes and experience. Events like art openings and launches don’t go beyond a superficial point. The art market needs deeper insight and a holistic

DG: That’s the role of the gallery. The gallery has to take the buyer through the range of Menon. The motivation of the buyer varies―he may want to only collect art, that’s a different vision. If he wants to invest in art and make millions, that’s a different strategy.

AD: But a new art buyer doesn’t see all that. He or she just wants to buy the painting, decorate their apartment with it,

and hope it increases in value.

DG: Yes, he starts buying, then he buys more, then he stores it away, he buys a new house to store his collection―he begins to see it as an asset. The role of the gallery is to define this vision. Else you will end up with a pile of art that you didn’t really want, that is worthless!

AD: But again, how does the buyer sense good art? Take Dodiya. She doesn’t do ‘pretty’ art, she takes photos and twists them around...at first look the works would appear very banal. Anjolie Menon’s art is beautiful to look at. But Dodiya sells better than Anjolie. How does the new buyer distinguish this?

DG: You need a sense of how strongly the promoter feels about the artist. What is behind the hype? What do the critics say?

AD: There are no critics today. The media has very few critics. If a gallery promotes some works and their intrinsic value may not be high, there are no critics to say this is rubbish...The new buyer doesn’t know, he is not an insider.

DG: Then he has to become an insider.

Ask 5 top stakeholders about the artist’s potential. Read the artist’s profile at the end of the catalogue. Find out if he or she is being shown only at random galleries.

You have to get a sense of where he is showing, get a pulse...

AD: So I must first know which are the top galleries?

DG: Yes, you must know the top 5 galleries, critics and auction houses. You must know the influences that move trends. Buying takes place on the upward movement of an artist’s value, or at his peak, or on the downward slide. One shouldn’t buy when it is too late. The work must be bought when the artist’s career and value is on an upward trend. In 1995 you could buy a Hussain or Raza for 2 lakhs rupees. Today if you buy those works for 2 million dollars you don’t know which way the trend will go.

AD: Could you specifically name 5 top artists to buy?

DG: Manjit Bawa, Sabawala, Anju Dodiya, Manjunath Kamath, Ravinder Reddy...There could be steep rises and falls in the art market. Anything that goes up comes down.

AD: So should we look at the painting only as a trade asset? We should not fall in love with a painting that we own?

DG: Different persons have different motivations―are you a collector or an investor? Again, there are some works you keep, you find a niche, a kind or series of paintings and you create a hoard of those works. The other works, you sell.

When you set out to buy, anything under two lakhs is a good place to start. Get a sense of other people’s views. Find five stakeholders ― critics, curators, gallery owners ― and see if at least three of them agree on your choice of work. Don’t start with overconfidence and without research.



Secrets of the Art Millionaires is available online at www.amazon.com and at www.breathearts.com

Literature 21

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Dr. Bhikubab

Changes His World

By Sheela Jaywant

T

hat Dr. Bhikubab had raised his voice in a triumphant yell, that anyone in the late Gurdasbaab’s house had raised a voice at all, was unusual. Dr. Bhikubab, Gurudasbab’s second son, had continued to be a good boy, boro bhurgo, well into his late thirties.

After Gurudasbab’s death years ago, his eldest son, Dada, decided not to marry: one heard so many stories of daughtersin-law ill treating widowed mothers-inlaw and he didn’t want that to happen to his mother, Aiee. Like ‘special’ children, there are ‘special’ moms. Aiee was a master of the crib-whine-sulk-moan, a poor-me specialist. Dada thus ‘sacrificed his life’ to care for her. Mind you, a lot of people ‘commended’ his ‘act’. Naturally, his non-marrying meant the younger siblings wouldn’t, or couldn’t, either. All the proposals, soiriks, that came for the two girls asked why the brothers weren’t married, as if that was any indication of their quality of housework or childbearing.

Whilst in medical college, Dr. Bhikubab the youngest of the siblings, had fallen in love with his classmate, now a wellknown histopathologist in Panaji, and they’d gone around for nearly four years.

They might’ve got married, too, but she told our Bhiku: “You want to marry me because your Aiee feels that mine’s a non-emergency faculty and so I’ll have a lot of free time. As for you, you want to wait till your Dada gets married, his lagna happens. You’re nuts.” It was true. Aiee had told him, the girl would have had regular hours, been home for all meals, all the festivals, sannache dis, and the part about Dada getting married.

It broke Bhiku’s heart to part from her, but he didn’t have the gumption to do anything about it. He was conditioned not to react.

His practice flourished. He was a good pediatrician, a neonatologist, always on call, always soothing anxious parents, always struggling over early-arrivals that looked more like big tadpoles rather than human babies.

It was all written in the stars, said Aiee, what you did, who you married, whether you married, it was all about fate, nasheeb.

Not his fault. Certainly not hers.

Dr. Bhikubab didn’t go abroad to study, even though he’d got a scholarship.

Some said, what a fool; but many others appreciated his devotion to Aiee. How fortunate she was, they said, to have such caring sons. Aiee loved to hear

that. Nowadays, boys just abandon their parents and go. Here, all four children lived for and with their mother. Only a few mumbled, and never quite audibly, that it was selfish of her to hold on to them thus, what was to happen to them after she… you know…went?

Last December, there was a conference at Panaji, sponsored by a rich pharmaceutical company, to which our Dr. Bhikubab was invited to moderate a session. He didn’t even have to pay the registration fees. But there was a problem: he wouldn’t be home for dinner, and Aiee didn’t swallow a morsel unless all her children were around her. Once, when the eldest, Dada, had gone out with his friends, and returned late (past 8 pm, nearly two hours after dark), the neighbours had to be called in to control her rising hysteria to convince her that he hadn’t had an accident or, worse, gone astray.

It was a three day residential conference and Dr. Bhikubab promised her that he’d be okay.

The sisters promised to look after her.

Dada said he’d feed her with his own hands.

At the conference, Dr. Bhikubab was the only one of the delegates with a handknitted cap, topi, on his head. The air-conditioning would definitely make the cold get into his skull, his mother had said. It was winter, shiyan dis, and the breeze would get into his ears.

Right from his childhood, that made him ill. He had to be careful. Air-conditioning is a powerful thing. Even at 22 degrees, even when the others grinned not so politely at seeing him thus, he wouldn’t take it off. Aiee wouldn’t like that.

He phoned home as soon as he’d settled into the hotel room, carefully leaving out the details about the traditional welcome, arti tikka, given by the pretty, female hotel staff. He phoned home during the teabreak, at lunch, and before getting into bed. He had to tell the family, gharchyank, about what he ate. Most importantly, he had to ask Aiee whether she had eaten, what she’d eaten, whether her bowels were ok, whether she’d slept well, whether the servant had come on time, whether all was well, saglem barem, mu.

He carefully avoided telling her about the pasta and cheeses that he’d actually liked, for it was outside food and disapproval

was possible. These days one had to really be careful about preserving traditions, aple saunskar, lest one strayed like so many Hindus from good families did.

Back home, just twenty-five kilometres away, Aiee invited all her neighbours, cousins and sisters-in-law over. She had to let them know how bright her baby was. He had gone to a five-star hotel, yes, not any small three-phree stars. All these conferences-fonferences, he normally avoided such fancy things, all-show, nothing really great. Dakhavpaache go, tatunt kaim kharem ni. All this craze for phoren stuff was all a fad. Her Bhiku, he was the best, and all he had to learn, he learnt right here in Goa. No need to go anywhere.

Even those sick

children, he cured them because of mantras she had taught.

It was a wonder, said one of the women on her way out, how these brilliant boys and their sisters accepted all this. Said her companion, Aiee’s exceptionally bright and she understands human nature. They turned around and watched her: her daughters were holding her on either side and she was being carefully led into the house. There wasn’t a thing wrong with her, but she insisted she needed help, and she got it. Yes, smart move, said a third, adding: “can’t help feeling sorry for them, though”.

Bhikubab was concerned that so many of the delegates asked him about ‘landrates’. They were from Delhi, Bengal, even beyond, from Assam…he asked them, and didn’t they mind being so far away from their own? “We’re on the same planet,

Bhiks,” they replied. “It’s the 21st century, there are direct flights all over, what’s with you, asking funny questions like these?

Besides, investments make sense in Goa, you know.”

Bhikubab shrank away. He’d been reading in the papers about outsiders buying off ancestral land. Aiee said people who sold their fields, no good came to them. But, honestly, no harm seemed to happen either, he’d observed.

As a moderator, Bhikubab got paid.

Not money, but return tickets (with companion, and transferable, too) to Thailand. Everybody teased him. The bachelor doc needed a change, needed excitement, and needed...um…lady-boy shows…or the real things. When he held the envelope in his hand, Bhikubab felt liberated. Not even the fear of Aiee’s predictable tantrum could stop his imagination from soaring when his colleagues explicitly described what lay beyond that flight. The very next moment, though, guilt surged through his veins and he hung his head, wondering whether he should throw the envelope in the bin or ask the sponsors whether he could get money instead.

He kept the envelope on the table and switched on the television. On a reality show, a gushing, breathless anchor was telling the camera what a cool place Goa was, where everyone could be themselves―follow their dreams, chill, man-it-rocked, etc. His room-mate wanted to know where, how he partied. Dr. Bhikubab hadn’t been to Baga in years.

He wasn’t sure where Palolem was. He hadn’t ever, ever seen the inside of a pub.

He hadn’t tasted alcohol, he went regularly to temples, worshipped every deity he was obliged to, and …his room-mate said he wasn’t Goan then. It hurt Bhikubab.

Back home, Dr. Bhikubab fingered the tickets and (Dear readers, it may seem simple enough to you but…), took the hardest decision of his life. He decided he’d use that ticket. Yes, he’d go to naughty Thailand. With his mother.

It was weeks before Aiee recovered from her week-long holiday in PhuketBangkok. What she saw, what she heard, was unmentionable and she wouldn’t talk about it to anyone. The only one who knew it all was Dr. Bhikubab. She wanted him out, out of the house. The only way to do that was to get him married. That was how the bride-hunt began and Dr. Bhikubab was ‘put up’ in the marriage market. And Bhikubab finally roared with delight. 

22 Feature A fisherman at work in the Mapusa river

Aldona

Still standing tall

By Ashley do Rosario

Sunset beyond Aldona’s hills

Many folks tell me that Aldona is a village that instantly engulfs you with feelings of nostalgia and saudade as soon you set foot in it. Saudade is a Portuguese word that has no direct translation in English. It describes a deep emotional state of nostalgic longing for something that one loves. This sense of grace still pervades Aldona.

For, unlike some other villages in its immediate neighbourhood and elsewhere in Goa, Aldona has, to a large extent, retained the atmosphere of its past, resisting the onslaught of unbridled development.

But having said that, it certainly isn’t one of those ‘semi-primitive’ villages of Goa, where streets get abandoned at 7 pm, folks go to bed by nine and life crawls at the pace of a snail.

Largely green-covered and nestled between hilly terrain on the south and a tributary of the Mandovi to its north, Aldona has a closely-knit resident community, which has seamlessly accepted a string of litterateurs, researchers and artists who have in recent years made the village their home.

Celebrity author Amitav Ghosh and his author-wife Deborah, Rahul Srivastava, Maria Aurora Couto, Quiz master and writer Aniruddha Sengupta, researcher-

writer Annie Claire Ketteringham, sculptor Walter D’Souza… the list of members of Goa’s glitterati who’ve made Aldona their home is rather long.

Antonio Francisco Fernandes, an Aldona-bred Goan in his mid-fifties, wears the village’s proud past on his sleeve. Now the public relations head of a top Goan company based in Vasco, Antonio says his village has had a premier school―St Thomas High School, founded by Professor Edward Soares― since 1923. The school

exists and thrives to this day and is currently run by the Fransalians fathers.

In 2006, a life-size statue of Soares was erected at the Aldona market triangle.

The school apart, Antonio waxes eloquent on Aldona’s countryside and the avenues it offered him and his peers in the 60s and 70s to explore nature.

“We hiked up the hills and feasted on the blue berries (jamuns) and the black berries (kantam). Picking the berries from the trees was thrilling, an experience the

The panaromic view of Mapusa river and beyond from the Corjuvem hill

Feature 23

Thursday, March 21, 2013

children in modern times rarely pursue,” says Antonio.

Many in the village take the plunge in several of the water bodies that dot the village, says Antonio, admitting however that its flora and fauna have undergone quite a change over the decades.

“We see one too many monkeys and peacocks these days in Aldona. It wasn’t the case in the past, at least not in my memory,” he revealed, adding that it is probably because of massive deforestation in nearby Tivim.

No story on Aldona can be complete without mention of the internecine rivalries and enmities among its people emanating from age-old religious and caste-based divides. The map of Aldona’s history has discernable signs of such ulcers. It’s perhaps the only village of Goa that set up two village communes, known as Communidades, on caste lines.

Aldona’s caste divide dates back to the 17th century, during an attempt to grant equal rights to members of all castes at a meeting of the joneiros, or members.

It became a bone of contention and led to endless fights for nearly four centuries, culminating in the Communidade’s bifurcation into two bodies – Communidade Fraternal of the Brahmins (which included goldsmiths) and the Communidade de Boa Esperanca of the Chardo (Kshatriya) and Sudra castes.

History also records that these rivalries led to the murder of a member named Caitano Soares as he was on his way to the neighbouring Ucassaim village. A cross was erected at the spot where he was killed, which stands to this day.

The spectre of this historical, internecine rivalry continues to loom over Aldona’s contemporary community, although more mildly than in the past.

Several attempts, even in the recent past, to bury the hatchet have met with little success. Inter-caste marriages occur less frequently than in the rest of Goa, and members of different castes tend to keep apart at social gatherings.

Architecturally, the village has been lent its share of grandeur by its majestic, sixteenth century St Thomas parish Church. Built on a plateau on the Mapusa river bank, the inside of the church is decorated with murals and giant statues.

Village legend has it that the statues in the church were once decorated with jewels by inhabitants as a measure of their

gratitude for prayers answered!

The jewels don’t exist on the statues anymore. Akin to many other churches in Goa which over the centuries have been robbed of valuables, Aldona’s church appears to have suffered a similar fate.

More recently, in 2004 to be precise, Aldona also came to be home to another architectural and engineering marvel―the cable-stayed bridge connecting Aldona to its island-ward Corjuem. The bridge is held by six cables on either side, and is a sight to behold.

As much as Aldona gets its fame from its edifices, it also has some celebrated sons and daughters, the most famous of whom, arguably is Reverend Father Filipe Neri Ferrao, the current Archbishop of Goa and Daman and the Patriarch of the East Indies.

Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao hails from the large Ferrao clan of the Santarxette ward of Aldona.

The serenity and the quiet in Aldona has also propelled the village onto Goa’s tourism map. Quite a few tourists have been attracted by the natural beauty of the village and a few enterprising blokes have cashed in on it.

Avanilaya, for instance, is a tastefully designed boutique resort. Its IndoPortuguese styled villas perched on the Corjuem hill offer breathtaking views of the Mapusa river and the mountainous expanse beyond.

Another cosy little tourist accommodation, ‘Cancio’s House’, is run

by Roberto Amaral and his wife Raquel from their 500-year-old Indo-Portuguese two storeyed mansion embedded in thick vegetation.

If the caste-religion divide pops out as an ugly ulcer from the village’s history map, there are a handful of shabby sites that pop out from Aldona’s geographical map today. Top on the list is the Tinto, the market place.

The shabby, ground-plus-one edifice lies in utter neglect with chunks of plaster peeling off every other day.

It’s a miracle that the vendors and traders whom the

The cable stayed bridge connecting Aldona and Corjuvem

The majestic Saint Thomas Church

dilapidated building shelters during business hours survive unscathed each day.

The Tinto, though, has a tiny kiosk where Gokuldas Naik’s family churns out some mouth-watering, channa dal flourbased (besan) snacks. If you happen to get to the village, don’t leave without trying out a few of these, at least the freshlymade ‘chakris’ which tend to melt in your mouth, literally.

There are quite a few Aldonkars, or Oidonnkars in the Bardez dialect of Konkani, who believe the caste-religious seams will disappear just as Naik’s chakri does when it melts in your mouth. Will it happen? Only time and the Oidonnkars will decide.

The villagers have certainly not succumbed to the ravaging real estate sharks that have gobbled up other areas of

Bardez taluka. Their fortitude finds echoes in this Konkani song that commemorates a notorious 1895 incident in which the villagers repulsed a bandit attack on the Aldona church, killing a number of them.

Cecil Pinto, a staunch Aldonkar, recalls his maternal grandmother singing the song: Tin tarim bhair than aile re choru Casmil Alvilem dhorlem re ghoru Apunn ganvkar mhunn martale faru Pondak gulli voileanu daru...

Oidonnkar kitle tiradoru Chorank minddeank uddoile marunu

From three leagues away, came the thieves And captured Casmil Alvilo’s house And there was firing Bullets across the doors Oidonnkars are such brave men They killed all the rogues Indeed ―nostalgia, saudade, intellectual grace and the fighting spirit keep the Aldona flag still flying high. 

24 Hot Streets

Liar, liar, pants on fire Dear Acaricia May I am planning to give my boyfriend a little gift for his birthday. I have always felt my bust is too small for him, and I am going to get a breast enhancement done. My problem is that I am not sure whether he will like my new more curvy self or whether he’ll be turned off by the ‘artificial’ improvement. If I ask him directly then there is no fun in the surprise. If he gets angry or disgusted with my new larger bust, then I could lose his love. How should I decide?

Charlotte, Panjim Dear Charlotte, You ever hear of that little thing called inner beauty? Is it possible your boyfriend likes you just the way you are, as Billy Joel sings? Would you be getting these bigger boobs just to make him happy, or is it something you want as well? I’m sorry to answer your question with so many new questions, but surgery is a big deal and I don’t recommend it be taken lightly, like some kind of haircut or pedicure. There will be blood. There will be stitches.

And there’s something called a recovery period. So it’s not like you’ll go in for cosmetic surgery in the morning, and then at lunch time pop on over to lover boy’s pad, stick your chest in his face and shout out, “Surprise!” Look Charlotte, I’m not

enjoy it. Even if I catch him he doesn’t stop this habit. I’m worried this could lead to bigger lies and even him being unfaithful or worse. What do you think?

Shania, Ponda

telling you not to do it. I’m telling you to think about it before acting. By the way, there’s a lot of ways you can look curvier and sexier without cosmetic surgery.

You can improve your posture through exercise and a healthy diet. Or walk around with a book on your head, so that your bust goes forward, your bum looks more pert and your belly flattens out. You can find special innerwear that can give you better cleavage. Soon you may find yourself walking like Kristy Turlington on the catwalk! And you won’t feel like a boob, for having dished out lakhs of rupees for an extra inch upstairs.

Love, Acaricia May Dear Acaricia May My husband is very loving and lots of fun.

But he has a strange side to him. He lies a lot. Not big great lies, he is no criminal, never broken the law, other than driving down the wrong side of a one-way road. He lies over small things and seems to

Dear Shania There are so many reasons for lying.

Don’t you lie sometimes? Sometimes we lie to make ourselves look better, or to embellish what otherwise could be a pretty boring story. Which sounds better – “I went fishing but didn’t catch anything” or “I went fishing and caught what appears to be the largest fish ever spotted in the Arabian Sea, to the point where it pulled the boat over 200 kilometers to the coast of Maharashtra”? You get my point, Shania? Pretty harmless, no?

Now let’s take the same example and add two extra sentences. “I went fishing and caught what appears to be the largest fish ever spotted in the Arabian Sea, to the point where it pulled the boat over 200 kilometers to the coast of Maharashtra.

That is why you didn’t see me these past three days. A fish pulled me to another state.” Now we’re getting into some worrisome territory. So you see, Shania, there are two kinds of lying: harmless and harmful. For your sake and his, I hope hubbie man’s habit falls into the former category.

Love, Acaricia May

USEFUL STUFF www.goastreets.com

Thursday, March 21, 2013 Police 100 Ambulance 108 Coast Guard 1718 Women Helpline 1091 Goa State Aids Control Society 1097 Child Helpline 1098

Airline Offices Air Arabia Airlines 9225906416/15 Indian Airlines 18001801407 Air India 2431100/04 Jet Airways 1800225822 Spice Jet 18001803333 Kingfisher Airlines 18002093030 GoAir 1800222111 Singapore Airlines 2438813 Qatar Airlines 7930616000 Ambulance Services Goa Medical College 2458725 Vintage Ambulance +91 8322232533 /+91 9823059948 Ambulance Trust (Margao) 2731759/2714464 Mapusa Ambulance Service (Mapusa) 2262372 Helpline (Dona Paula) 2453303 Super markets Magsons Super Market Miramar, St Inez, Caculo Mall, Caranzalem, Vasco, Verna and Varca

25

2463700/2463701/2463702 Orchard Stores Anjuna. 2273231 Newton’s Arcade Candolim. 2489056 Delfinos Super Stores, Candolim, 2356895 / 5235685 Maple Leaf Supermarket Porvorim, 6454099 Parsekar Stores Mandrem, 0832 2247345/2247900

Pharmacies Jeevan Rekha Medical Store Panjim. 2435946 Holy Spirit Medical Services Margao. 2737433 Bardez Bazaar Mapusa. 2256620/2250618 Walson & Walson Calangute. 2276366 Nayana Medical Stores Porvorim. 2417818

Department of Tourism 2438750/2438755 Goa Tourism Development Corporation Ltd 2226515/2226728 Govt. of India Tourism 2223412/2420529 Panjim Information Counter 2438520 Margao Information Counter 2715204 Vasco Information Counter 2512673

Bus Services Kadamba Road Transport Corporation 133 Kadamba Transport Corporation 2438034/2438036 Manish Volvo 2444056 Paulo Travels 2438531 Neeta Volvo 2438088

Police stations Margao 2705095 Mapusa 2262231 Pernem 2201233 Anjuna 2273233 Calangute 2278284 Porvorim 2417704 Old Goa 2285301 Ponda 2313101 Colva 2788396 Vasco Harbour 2512234 Verna 2782325 Canacona 2633357

Railway Stations Canacona Code:CNO +918322643644 Madgaon Code:MAO +918322712790 Pernem Code:PERN +918322201283 Thivim Code:THVM +918322298682 Vasco de Gama Code:VSG +918322512398/+918322512131 Karmali Code:KRMI +918322285798

Medical and Hospitals Dial-A-Doctor (Toll Free) 1911 Blood Bank 2458724 Vrundavan Hospital, Mapusa +918322250022/+918326713535 Apollo Hospital Margao. 2728888/ 6728888 Manipal Hospital Panjim. 3048800 Vintage Hospital Panjim. 2426650

The

Corner Goan pair wins silver at World Salsa Meet Goa’s Seniz Rego (14) paired with Prem Rajput (20) to win the second place at the 2nd World Salsa Championship held in Hong Kong from February 21 to 24.

Competing against seventeen other countries, the Seniz-Rajput duo represented India and went through three gruelling rounds of competition – quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals – before finishing second-best to the Indonesian pair. The Finnish pair finished in third place.

The youngest couple at the World Championship, Seniz and Rajput, became the first Goan-Indian pair to win a medal in Salsa at the World level.

Seniz, who is currently studying in standard eight at the Sharada Mandir School and Rajput who is pursuing his commerce degree at the GG Poy Raiturcar College of Commerce and Economics, both train under choreographer Abhishek Soman’s ‘Xtremers Dance Academy’. They were preparing for the Championship and practicing their art at the Academy as partners every day for four months.

Interestingly, Seniz was part of the nearly 100 dancers in the Goa Streets Flash Mob held at the Dona Paula jetty in November last year. Earlier this week, the number of YouTube hits for the Goa Streets flash mob video crossed the one-lakh mark, making it one of the most viewed events from Goa in YouTube history.

Post Offices Panjim GPO 2223706 Margao 2715791 Mapusa 2262235 Calangute 2276030

DreamZ Spa and Salon At Campal, Panjim @ 10 am to 9 pm +918322223628 Sukho Thai -The Thai Foot Spa At Calangute @ 11 am to 11 pm +918326511265 Sohum Spa At Royal Orchid Beach Resort & Spa, Utorda @ 9.30 a to 10 pm +918322884400/ +918322884401

Safety Information Tourist Police Booths Miramar 2464260 Tourist Police Booths Calangute 2281238 Tourist Police Booths Vagator 2274031

Grand Hyatt to host Swimathon

Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa

At Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa, Arossim beach, Cansaulim +918322721234/ +919923207075 edra.godinho@hyatt.com goa.park.hyatt.com

Chowgule hosts Swedish students

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rand Hyatt Goa will host Swimathon 2013, a swimming event in the open sea at Bambolim Beach on Sunday 24th March at 8 am.

The event is a fund raiser for Children’s Rights in Goa (CRG), an NGO working for the protection of children in Goa. Swimathon 2013 has three different events - the 2-km full Swimathon where participants will swim a kilometre out into the sea and turn around a boat to head back to the beach; the 1-km Half Swimathon, where the same routine will be followed over 500 metres into the sea and the 250-metre Short Swim where participants will swim parallel to the shore.

Goa Yachting Association (GYA) will provide rescue boats, Drishti will provide trained lifeguards and a Jet Ski, and the Goa Kayaking Club will provide close cover kayak support to make the event full-proof on the safety front. Trained paramedics and doctors will also be on standby.

The event is organized and managed by NRB events and entry forms will be available at select Monginis outlets in Panjim, Margao, Mapusa, Vasco and Ponda and the government swimming pools.

Online registration can be done at http://www.swimathon.in.

Stefan Radstrom, General Manager of Grand Hyatt Goa said it was the hotel’s pleasure to be the hospitality partner for Swimathon.

“We at Grand Hyatt Goa believe in compassion, good work and strive to contribute to the local community. We are keen in partnering this wonderful event which will contribute to a worthy cause.”

For further information contact Elias Patel: 9822182415 or Ashwin Tombat: 8888250019. Details are also available on the website: http://www.swimathon.in, or by sending an Email to swimathongoa@gmail.com.

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howgule College is currently hosting 16 students and 4 faculty members from Tullinge Gymnasium, a high school in Sweden. The group will be on a two-week stay in Goa where they will be introduced to Goan and Indian culture and given a peek into the lifestyle of Goa. The Swedish students’ tour is part of the global vocational learning programme, Athena, which involves student exchanges. Chowgule College joined the programme in 2008. The students visited places of historic and cultural importance like Goa Chitra museum, wildlife sanctuaries, heritage homes, spice farms and religious places. They have also been to Daddy’s Home, an old age home, a drug rehabilitation institute and other centres run

by NGOs for children and women.

Students from Chowgule College will in turn be visiting Tullinge Gymnasium in Sweden.

26 Give Back

Stacy Steps Into The Light

By Daegal Godinho

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an beautiful art emerge from the brush of a young girl who can barely see? From 21st to 23rd March 2013, Carpe Diem―an Art and Learning Centre located in Majorda, South Goa will be showcasing the talent of Stacy Rodrigues, who, despite her severely impaired vision has bravely pursued interests such as painting and poetry. The exhibition is aptly titled “Into The Light”.

Stacy (25), who hails from nearby Betalbatim, was diagnosed with heredomacular degeneration, or Stargardt disease, at the age of 14. This inherited condition caused a gradual bilateral decrease in her vision to barely 20 percent. Rather than resigning to her condition, Stacy, inspired by her family and her mentor Donovan, took to painting and poetry as a means to express herself. Through this collection of over 20 paintings, Stacy has dwelt on issues like her struggle through childhood, the despair she encountered and the inner resilience she was able to harness to overcome her disability. She has also compiled a collection of poems.

Here’s what Stacy says about herself: “I was born with a gift called Heredomacular Degeneration, an impressive sounding title which simply means that I am blessed with 20-25 percent of vision and therefore I am classified as a visually impaired person.

Today as I stand here and look back, I am amazed to see how far I have come.

I wouldn’t deny that there were times where I felt helpless and cursed for the life I am gifted, but today I feel proud to be visually impaired and to live this life.

It is difficult to give up on your aspirations and choose to be what you never wish to be.

I was pretty much in the same situation. My family realised the seriousness of my disability when I was 14 and that led to rounds of various doctors in and outside Goa. There was just one response we received from every door we knocked―“My eyes should be considered like a camera with a bad film.” I grew up with my disability, knowing something wasn’t right with me. I assumed that it was normal but not for long…the final verdict of the doctors changed it all. At that tender age I desired to be a writer or a journalist, but my aspirations had to be left behind as the genetic counsellor advised me to take up a career where I wouldn’t strain my eyes.

I am blessed with good vocals too and singing is just a hobby but at that time due to my ignorance of what modern technology offers I pursued my career in music at the Goa College of Music.

I struggled for three long years and finally had to leave because of some tragic circumstances that occurred in my family. But I didn’t stop there. The quest for achieving something in life enabled me to join the Academy of Broadcasting, where I completed a Diploma in Radio Management, a profession where I could use just my voice. The fact that I wasn’t confident and comfortable with the microphone ended it all, but the positive side to it was that I got better in writing.

On the other side, rejection and humiliation from society began to break me down and I grew silent day by day. I

often closeted myself in my room where I scribbled my thoughts as poems.

Seeing my declining health, my brother advised me to join the gym. I agreed, for I wasn’t doing anything concrete at that time. It was at the gym that I revived myself. The instructor Donavan, a father figure and guide to me today, entirely holds the credit to who I am today.

It was he who understood the unspoken and heard the sound of my shattered dreams. As days passed, he encouraged me to take small steps towards my lost aspirations, making me aware that I would stumble and yet I shouldn’t give up. I began writing a novel which is close to completion and compiled the poems I wrote into a book called Reflection, from where I have shared a few poems with a newsletter called Femnet.

There are a few poems which I have framed and sold and gifted as well.

It was nearly impossible for me to recognise colours earlier. A year back when I told Donavan that I was beginning to distinguish colours, he advised me to start painting, to get familiar with colours.

I hesitated as I had never painted before in my life. Time and again he asked me if I had begun working on it and finally

so as not to disappoint him, I began painting. From pencil colours to crayons to poster colours and finally acrylics.

Observing my paintings Donavan had said ‘This will take you a long way, somewhere you didn’t expect.’

A statement I ignored, but one he and his wife believed in.

I believe God has His own plans for people and thanking Him is just not enough. Yet I do thank Him every new day. Life taught me many lessons which took a while to understand, but now I know that making mistakes is just a learning process. When we fall we will learn to rise, and any form of disability is just a new beginning, a beginning to explore the talents gifted by the Almighty hidden in us.

These paintings are the fruit of my endurance, but are also the result of what my family, friends and the NAB (National Association of the Blind) believed in me.”

That was Stacy on her quest so far. Why a show of Stacy’s paintings at Carpe Diem?

The purpose of using our ancestral house at Majorda was to give to others the chance that we have had, to explore our talents. Here was an opportunity to promote and showcase local talent and effort which fit perfectly with Carpe Diem’s vision - “A space, where you can dare to explore the creative self that burns inside you; a place to discover what others are doing with their dreams. A launch pad to embark on a new journey of your own…” 

Stacy’s paintings can be viewed at Carpe Diem - Art & Learning Centre, H. No. 81/2, Godinho House, Gomes Vaddo, Majorda-Goa.

Crowds throng in The Carpenter’s Cross, an original Gospel Rock opera held at Panjim

Crucifixion scene in The Carpenter’s Cross

Skyhigh performs at All India Radio Golden Jubilee Celebrations at Panaji

Indian Naval Symphony Orchestra strikes up a tune at Kala Academy

Exhibition at the Goa State Art Exhibition 2013 at Kala Academy

Circular buttresses flank the Church of Our Lady of Rosary, Old Goa

Panoramic Goa Fruits and vegetables at the Panjim Municipal Market

St. Augustine’s Tower stands tall amidst the ruins of Our Lady of Grace Church at Old Goa

A 180 degree view of Panjim city from a promenade

Coconut palms tower over the pergola at Miramar beach