Goa Streets - Issue 38

Thursday, July 25, 2013 | Vol. No. I | Issue 38 | Price Rs. 10 | Pages 24 | www.goastreets.com

Women’s party spots • pg 5

Tweeters’ recipes • pg 7

Goan Jesuits & the Pope • pg 11

WHISKEY

nights Warm the monsoon with Single Malt Scotch

pg 12

Sunshine kids & Milkha 18 • Why Goans leave 19 • Scrapyard treasures 22

3

Thursday, July 25, 2013 Photographs by Ananda Krishna

streetspicks

Anniversary Bash At The Sofala A very special Thursday is coming up this week at The Sofala. The ‘lifestyle luxury hotel’ will be celebrating its one-year anniversary of Thursday Night Live, its signature weekly music event. What’s in store? India’s guitar legend Derek Julien will be jamming live with Smoking Chutney to make the anniversary memorable. Join in for a party with good music (and good food from the hotel’s newly-opened restaurant,Mia Cucina). Book your tables fast!

Opposite Bank of India, Bhatiwado, Nerul, Bardez Contact: +91 7774008822

Hindi Music Nights Start your week with some good old Bollywood music from the 1970s at O’Goa in Hotel Fidalgo. Get transported to the age when Kishore Kumar and Mohammed Rafi crooned to Gulzar’s words and RD Burman’s melodies with in-house ‘superstar’ Dilip Chaudhary. The performance lasts a good 3 hours and takes place every Monday. Happy nostalgia!

At O’ Goa, Hotel Fidalgo, Panjim Phone: +91 832 2226291

Evening Of Melodies Watch Nelly Pereira liven things up thrice a week with live music performances covering jazz, retro & golden oldies thrice a week at Zuperb. Good thing is you can join in and sing along with Nelly and give your vocal chords some good exercise. Trivia: Zuperb is one of the few places in Goa that serves Parsi fare.

At Zuperb, Holiday Street, Calangute Phone: +91 9869076107/9820134503/9833156510

Pickled Mango If you’re the type of person who enjoys different kinds of music on different days of the week, Picked Mango has the right mix for you with different music themes every night while serving culinary delights from around the world. Here’s what’s in store: Monday: Music fever; Tuesday: In-house music; Wednesday: Karaoke burning; Thursday: In-house music; Friday: One-man band by Joe; Saturday: Karaoke burning; Sunday: In-house music.

At Resort Rio, Arpora Phone: +91 832 2267300

Everyday

Every Wednesday

Happy Hours

Cosmopolitan Ladies Night

Enjoy 25% discount on all beverages. Happy hours, happier moments!

At Capiz Bar, Grand Hyatt, Bambolim Beach @ 7 pm – 9 pm +91 832 3011125

Every Tuesday

Free Absolut Cosmopolitan cocktails all night long exclusively shaken & stirred for the fairer sex. Ladies Night, the Butter way!

At Butter, Patto, Panjim @ 8 pm +91 8308838888

Country Rock Night

Wednesday Nights

Here is a chance for all music fans to enjoy a great musical evening at Cafe Mojo Pub &Bistro. Enjoy some amazing country rock music and tap your feet the whole night long. Get ready to enjoy some rocking time with your bunch of buddies and make your evening worth remembering.

At Cafe Mojo Pub &Bistro, Panjim @ 8 pm +91 832 2426666

With their frequent gigs, DJs David &Ashley entertained hordes of people with their act. Now they join hands together to make the crowds groove to their songs every Wednesday. The fun begins early here!

At Kamaki, Baga @ 7:30 pm +918322276520/9923093408

Partying at Baywatch

music & nightlife | 05 Party sports for ladies

lowdown | 06 food | 07 Streets Twitter recipe contest

feature | 11 Goa and the Jesuits

cover story | 12 Monsoon Whiskey Nights

arts & entertainment | 15 Fernanda’s bold strokes

feature | 18 Sunshine kids and Milkha

Every Thursday Thursday Grill &Games

Music, games & barbeque!

At Soul Souffle, Verna @ 7 pm – 10 pm +91 832 2782100/9764694321

feature | 19 Young people: Why they leave?

Every Friday Blu Nights

hot streets | 20 Sex

With resident DJs Melroy, Xavier, Ross & guest DJs At F Cube, Arpora +91 832 2275796

Every Sunday Retro Metro

With DJ Melroy, DJ Xavier &DJ Gabby At F Cube, Arpora +91 832 2275796

humour | 21 Hilarious courtroom exchanges

Ongoing Fort Aguada Beach Resort

feature | 22 Scrapyard treasures

Monday: Estella Pinto; Tuesday: Mac Dorado; Wednesday: Estella Pinto; Thursday: Savio; Friday: Darryll; Saturday: Natasha.

At Sinquerim, Candolim @ 7:30 pm +918326645858

Souza Lobo

Oldest restaurant on CalanguteBeach.

Live music in the eveningswith different themes every night.

Monday: Nelson & Leo; Tuesday: Nezz&Neka; Wednesday: Lui, one-man band; Thursday: Nelson &Leo; Friday: Leo; Saturday: Victor & Sol; Sunday: Valentino.

At Calangute Beach @ 8 pm +918322281234

Martin’s Corner

Authentic seafood &Goan cuisine &live music every week.

Monday: Shane; Tuesday: Karaoke by Jonny; Wednesday: Karaoke by Francis Paul; Thursday: Ashley; Friday: Karaoke by Johnny; Saturday: Shane; Sunday: Kenny&Bonny.

At Betalbatim @ 8 pm +918322880061

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Ladies party at Malts n Wines

By Puja Roy

I

f Cyndi Lauper had been singing in India, she might as well have crooned, “Girls just wanna have fun … at their own risk.” Let’s face it, Goa’s streets, like the rest of India’s, aren’t as safe as they used to be. So what’s a girl to do if all she wants is some fun without having to worry about her safety? Here’s a list of some of the places where ladies feel most comfortable partying in Goa. Ladies, be sure to check them out the next time you plan a night-out with the girls (or boys)!

The Backyard

A personal favourite, The Backyard is unique in the sense that an all-women’s team runs the show (and the party).

Shannon Smith is the owner-cum-chef of this recently opened joint that ranks among some of the best barbeque restaurants in Goa. Shannon’s daughter Erin Anderson helps her mom out in the kitchen as the sous/pastry chef. (Buzz is her Chocolate Brownies are ‘to die for’ and bought in their kilos at a time by out-of-town patrons.) One of the main attractions of The Backyard (apart from its steaks, chops and grilled fish) is its music, courtesy in-house artist Alexis Reed. Wednesdays are usually band nights, Thursdays are dedicated to blues

& jazz, Fridays are for retro music and Saturdays belong to R&B. Monday evenings see a lot of action with women bringing the house down with their karaoke sessions.

Anuradha Visvanathan, who manages the joint’s PR, says “We often try to get as many women to come down when we organise impromptu ladies nights. The Backyard provides a good atmosphere to sit back, relax and enjoy your drink after a hard day’s work. You don’t feel outof-place here. That’s our biggest strength.” Bhagyashree Patwardhan, a regular at The Backyard, says she feels comfortable enough to sit alone at the bar and enjoy the live music.

Onshore

Offshore

Behind Old Secretariat, 1st Floor, The Crown Goa, Bairo Alto Dos Pilotos, Jose Falcao Road, Panaji.

Goa - 403001. INDIA Mob: +91 9158883461 Land Line: 0832 2222822/2222833 Email: reception@crowncasino.in Open: 12:00 noon-06:00am | All days

Entry Rs.1500/ Enjoy free unlimited snacks, Veg & Non-veg Buffet-dinner, alchoholic & nonalcholic beverages And loads of live entertainment.

At Panaji, Goa. Open 24 Hrs. +918888807256

Crown Casino

Chances Casino

At Vainguinim Valley Resorts +918322456683/4/5/6 Email: sales@chancescasinoresort.com

Gold finger Casino

At Vainguinim beach, Dona Paula +918322454545

Casinos Treasures At Majorda beach resort, Majorda +918322881111

Casino Paradise

At Neo Majestic, Porvorim +918326710101

Casino Carnival

Casino Royale

Casino Royale Goa is India’s largest and most luxurious offshore gaming vessel. Anchored in the Mandovi, Casino Royale Goa creates an ambience that is at par with gaming destinations worldwide, with international games such as poker, baccarat, blackjack, and roulette, and serviced by dealers trained to the highest global standards. A family destination, it also has a kids’ room where trained staff look after the little ones. Open 24x7. Entry: Rs 1,500 per person on weekdays (Mon-Thu) and Rs 2,000 on weekends (Fri-Sun).

Boarding Point: Fisheries Department Building (6 pm-6 am only), Opposite Mandovi Hotel, D. BandodkarMarg, Panaji; and Noah’s Ark Jetty, D. BandodkarMarg, Panaji 0832 6519471, 0832 2433289.

Casino Pride

Captain of Ports Jetty, Panjim +918326710101/111/ +91-832-6519641 www.casinopridegoa.com

At: House #248, Bella Vista, Sangolda, Bardez From: 7 pm – 12 am Contact: +91 9823593872

Sophie @ Sunshine

Sophie @ Sunshine is another great (and safe) hangout for all the ladies in South Goa. Ranjit Joseph, Manager, says that the percentage of women frequenting Sophie’s is higher than most other places.

“Usually our guests come as friends. The atmosphere is known, familiar and very safe. The discomfort that a lot of women face when they go out is not felt here; our guests are always relaxed.”

The Unique Selling Proposition of Sophie @ Sunshine is definitely its music, thanks to its musically-oriented owners. Currently, there are ‘Open Mic Nights’ that happen once a week with ‘Ladies Nights’ and ‘Pub Nights’ in the cards. The joint aims at becoming a live music destination with a part dedicated to a Ladies Lounge/Wine-

6 The Lowdown The Lowdown Of all our offerings in Goa Streets this week, perhaps none are more notable than two quotes on two very different topics from two very different people. First, let’s take a look at how a whiskey connoisseur describes the joy of drinking single malt Scotch.

From page 5 tasting Lounge. (We hear renovations are on and should be completed before the tourist season kicks off). Also, hairdressing/ grooming sessions are slated to begin in two weeks’ time. The idea, the owners say, is to allow ladies to enjoy not just fun evenings, but great afternoons too. Watch this space for further details on events at Sophie’s.

At: Opposite Bollywood Resort, Adjacent to Mickey’s, Colva, Salcette Contact: +91 9921213003

Butter

Salmon Roe with Watermelon, the food menu at Malts N Wines is heavenly to say the least. For all those who want their nights with the girls to be a classy affair.

Near Baga Bridge Contact: +91 832 6520176/6520177

Edge Bar At Alila Diwa

While music, beverages and food are essential to any night-out, the setting can sometimes make or break a party.

Edge Bar makes it to this list especially for its locale and great views. This trendy bar at the Alila Diwa Goa overlooks the cool blue waters of an infinity pool and lush green paddy fields in the distance.

Enjoy your evenings amid contemporary Goan architecture while grooving to tunes across genres like jazz and blues, alternative and lounge. If you like your evenings in the open, make use of the outdoor patio. And don’t forget to try out the wide range of cocktails, many of which have local twists to them. (Kokum Jaggery Martini, Fenitini!) For a stylish evening out, drop in at Edge Bar to relax, unwind and drink in its beautiful views.

Mention Ladies’ Nights and the first place that comes to your mind is probably Butter.

One of the newest pubs to light up Panjim’s streets, Butter is truly a saviour so far as partying off-season goes. Wednesday nights here are ‘legendary’ with on-the-house Cosmopolitans flowing freely for Goa’s chicest chicas. (Wonder what it is about ladies and pink cocktails.) What really work in Butter’s favour are its convenient location and very nice, yet affordable, line-up of beverages.

And while the DJs start off the evenings with retro music, you’ll definitely be dancing to the latest party anthems post 9:30 pm onward.

At: Alila Diwa, Ground Floor, Plot But if that’s not your style and all you want is #48/10, Adao Waddo, Majorda to catch a few laughs with your girls, head out Contact: +91 832 2746800 to the alfresco seating for a breath of fresh air.

Sol Bar At The Sofala At: Gera Imperium 2, Patto Plaza, Panjim Contact: +91 832 2970002 If there were to be an award for the most fashionable bar, Sol Bar at The would be a serious contender. Not Malts N Wines The Lounge Sofala surprising, given that Sofala has been Okay, it’s only fair that we suggest a place done up by acclaimed fashion designer for them ladies who appreciate the finer Tarun Tahiliani. Its outdoor pool deck has drinks in life, including single malt Scotch. stunning views across the Nerul River to Enter Malts N Wines, the upscale lounge Candolim Church. Known to host some which boasts some of the best wine & maltof the best live music in Goa (kudos to based beverages (36 different types, to be Colin D’Cruz and Smokin’ Chutney), Sol exact) that Goa has to offer. The good thing also serves up great food and drinks. is that you can order any of these beverages (The wood-fired pizzas are highly by the glass or the bottle. Another great thing recommended!) And if something’s not on about the place is its intimacy – where you the menu, the Executive Chef will happily can sip some bourbon or scotch (or any other oblige, with a bit of notice. Need some cocktail of your choice) without having to pampering? The address you need is Sol worry about prying eyes. And if you like what Bar’s. you’ve read about the beverages, the food menu is bound to pleasantly surprise the At: The Sofala, Opposite Bank of India, gourmet in you. From Mushroom Chardonay Bhatiwado, Nerul, Bardez to Saffron-scented Risotto and Marinated Contact: +91 7774008822

“A sip can transport you on a complex odyssey.

Imagine yourself in an Italian garden surrounded with mandarin, lemon, pear and peach trees, their fruit ripening in the sun. Add a hint of vanilla ice-cream, some geranium and wild mint growing nearby – it is a velvet explosion. Elegant. The perfect luxury,” said the masterfully articulate connoisseur who, sorry to inform, didn’t want his name to appear in print.

And yet his words sum up the joy of single malts. On these pages, we outline that joy in detail, and invite you to a very special upcoming weekly event hosted jointly by Goa Streets and Malts n Wines – Monsoon Whiskey Nights!

The other highly significant quote in this edition is this one from Father Rosario Rocha SJ, the head of the Jesuits in Goa, explaining why Goans should embrace outsiders rather than reject them: “Uniqueness is not preserved by shelling it, but by letting others internalise it. What is closed and preserved dies, but if we open ourselves, we will be enriched.”

We’d also like to draw your attention to our story on Treasures in the Trash, the extraordinary items found in Goan scrapyards. Or our piece on all the nightspots in Goa that are particularly friendly to women. Or our article on why young Goans are leaving the state, or our story on the bold strokes of artist Fernanda de Melo.

Speaking of young Goans, don’t miss our piece on a really great outing organised by Sunshine Worldwide School, which took 500 popcorn-munching children to see Bhaag Milkha Bhaag at Inox.

This past week we held a recipe contest on Twitter. And the winner was Chef Joel D’Souza with a dish from his grandmother called Preserved Lemon Citrus Chicken with Coriander Gremolata. Read about it in our food section, along with all our listings and Streets Picks telling you everything you need to know about what’s happening in Goa. Happy reading!

The Goa Streets Team

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Thursday, July 25, 2013

streetspicks Sher-e-Punjab

Punjab in the heart of Panjim! Sher-ePunjab is well-known for its traditional North Indian fare, including Punjabi classics like Sarson da Saag, PaneerMakhani, Dal Makhani, Butter Chicken, and Chicken Tikka Biryani. Gobi Burji is a house specialty. The restaurant ‘highly recommends’ its Mutton Dry Fry to all meat lovers. Have something nice to tell them? Drop in a note at this aptly-named e-mail address: butterchicken@sher-epunjab.com.

Rua 18th June, Near Levis Showroom, Panjim Phone: +91 832 227204, 227975, 435983

Goa Streets Twitter Recipe Contest

Preserved Lemon Citrus Chicken with Coriander Gremolata

Cantare Cantare is perhaps Saligao’s best-kept secret. And it is truly far away from the madding crowd. Located in one of the tinier by-lanes of Saligao, this traditional mansion-turned-lounge offers a good selection of food & wine and a warm ambience. It almost feels like you’ve come to chill out at a friend’s. Go there to watch live football matches, drink and have a good time. Oh, and if you want, break out into a song too! After all, Cantare does stand for ‘sing’ in Italiano!

Cruzwado, Saligao Phone: +91 832 2409461

Eat Street Hungry at 3 am? No worries! Eat Street will fulfill all your late-night gastronomic cravings. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that the main attraction of this outdoor restaurant is that it is open 24 hours.

Satiate your after-party hunger with pasta, curries, kebabs, sandwiches and everything in between. For regular folks who’re looking for an early evening drink or two, make use of the happy hours for a 20% discount on beverages.

Hotel Calangute Towers, Dr Jack Sequira Junction, Calangute Phone: +91 832 6636000/2276597

Mog Café Talk about a pastry shop with innovative décor. Cookie jar lamps, a phone from the 1950s and artwork on dried guava branches lend a Parisian air to this patisserie. The dessert counter doesn’t disappoint either. Choose from a selection of cheesecake pops, cupcakes, crispy chocolates and lemon pie shots and a lot of other ‘designer’ cakes, desserts and chocolates. Apart from sweets, there is also a selection of savouries to devour – puffs, croissants, waffles, quiches and pies. Your taste buds tickling yet? Take a trip to Mog for cakes and, in the owners’ words, ‘all things good’.

Shop #3 & 4, Colaco Residency, Off Time 11am-12 midniht non stop food service, open everyday.

AbadeSariya Road, Comba, Margao Home delivery: 0832-2411959 & 9764159686 Caterin Service Contact: Mr. Roland Rodrigues @ 9890422440 Phone: +91 8380078252/9892588252

W

e are a hungry bunch at Goa Streets. We wanted something delicious to devour, so we decided to hold a send-in-your-recipe contest on Twitter. We have more than one winner, but for this week’s edition, we’re going to highlight just one (not to worry, the rest will come later!). We present you today, dear reader, with the top winner of the Goa Streets Twitter recipe contest, Chef Joel D’Souza (Twitter handle: @jdxicana), and his wonderful dish, Preserved Lemon Citrus Chicken with Coriander Gremolata. To begin, let’s have Joel tell us about his recipe in his own words.

My grandmother was born in Calangute,Goaand travelled through the Middle East, Morocco and Turkey as a nurse.

Travelling was mostly done by ship and hence a lot of migrants and workers would combine their littleknown culinary secrets on those long passages. She was familiar with French, Arabic, Hindi, Marathi and Konkani. How unexpected for me – not in a linguistic sense, but a culinary one.

Back then, culinary secrets were guarded with mystery and allure. What I remember most about my grandma is her soulful cooking and beautifullyflavoured food. During festivals and birthdays, her home had the aromas of fruit and spices, making it warm and cosy. I later learnt her secret; how she would put a pot of boiling water on the stove and add orange peels, cinnamon sticks and star anise in it.

Some secret, huh?

As with all grandmothers, mine had her specialties which she always made for me every time I visited her – a gorgeous pork roast with jasmine sauce; a beef stew spiked with harissa; carrot salad peppered with cumin; homemade cigars of fiery sausages.

Those were the days! She shared the recipes with me since childhood. There was always something slightly different about her renditions – a little secret here, a little there.

Recently, my brother brought down a package of preserved lemons from Dubai and this only went to add to the excitement of cooking the dish, the recipe of which I’m going to share with you today. It’s straight out of my grandma’s kitchen and she got with her all the way from Morocco!

turn to page 9

8 Food July 28 Lounge & Lunch @

TheSofala

Featuring live music &Goa’s most authentic Italian food at newopened restaurant Mia Cucina.

Delicious homemade dishes &unlimited beer, wine, Sangria and selected cocktails for Rs 1,000+taxes per person.

At Mia Cucina Restaurant, TheSofala, Bhattiwaddo, Nerul @ 1 pm – 5 pm +917774008822

Every Sunday Champagne Sunday Brunch

Enjoy brunch at the Grand Hyatt with French champagne &food from 5 interactive &live stations dishing out Asian, Italian, Middle Eastern, Indian cuisine &desserts.

Rs 2,200 + taxes (includes buffet, champagne, wines &select drinks) At Grand Hyatt, Bambolim @ 1 pm – 4 pm +91 832 3011125

Sunday Family Brunches

Rejuvenating cocktails, soulwarming gourmet cuisine from around the world, activities to keep the kids entertained.

At Latitude, Vivanta by Taj, Panjim @ 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm +91 832 6633636

Baga,Calangute &Around Café de Goa

Sandwiched between green paddy fields in Calangute, Café de Goa serves a selection of confectionary, fresh salads & sandwiches among other offerings.

At The Red Tower, Orchard Villas, Calangute @ 10:30 am – 5:30 pm +91 832 2279961

Artjuna

Specialisesin Indian, European and continental cuisine.

At Baga Land’s End, Baga +91 832 2276084/2275482

Set in an oldPortuguese house surrounded by a beautiful garden, the café serves up chilled café au lait, milkshakes, sandwiches, juices &baked goodies, homemade dips, iced lattes, blended coffees &more!

At MonteiroWaddo, Anjuna @ 9 am – 6 pm +918322274794

Cavala

Alcove Restaurant &Bar

Aquamarine Bistro & Bar

Specialises in Goan seafood &live music. The restaurant recommends dishes like Country Captain, TrincomaleePrawns &Chicken Periperi.

At SauntaWaddo, Baga, Calangute @ 7:30 am – 1 am +918322277587/9552551422

Coba

Specialisesin Indian, grills&seafood.

At Double Tree by Hilton, Arpora @ 10 am – 11 pm +9183266556672

Anjuna&Around Mamma Mia

Italian cuisine with a blend of imported Italian ingredients &local organic produce.

At Resort Rio, Arpora @ 12:30 pm – 10:30 pm +918322267300

Specialises in Chinese, Goan, Italian, North Indian&seafood.

At OzrantBeach, Anjuna @ 8 am onwards +918322274491/2273349

Curlies

The restaurant serves you everything from charcoal-fired oven pizzas/bakes to the best of India, China &continental dishes, plus fresh seafood (Anjunastyle), with wine &beer.

At AnjunaBeach +91 9822168628

Candolim Beach House

Visit Beach House for the best in Goan, Portuguese&seafood.

At Vivanta Holiday Village, Sinquerim @ 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm +918326645858

Banyan Tree

The garden restaurant at the TajVillage specialisingin Thai food. You can sit right under a banyan tree!

At Vivanta Holiday Village, Sinquerim @ 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm & 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm +918326645858

L’Orange

Tucked away in a cosy corner next to Magnum Resort in Candolim, L’Orange is a soothing place which also doubles up as an art gallery. It’s open all through the year &features a multi-cuisine menu with great Goan delicacies like roast pork, excellent sea food &great pastas.

At CandolimMain Road, Near Magnm Resort, SequireVaddo +91 9970173606

Wok & Roll

A multi-cuisine restaurant which serves Japanese, Thai, pan-Asian cuisine.

Restaurant recommendations include Honey-glazed Pot Roast, Pork Ribs, Thai Garlic-peppered Prawns, Deep-fried Prawns Tossed in Garlic.

At Sinquerim, Candolim @ 12 pm +91 9049022348

In &Around Panjim Chilli ‘n’ Spice

A carnival of fusion cuisine, a bar to enlighten your spirits, this restaurant specialises in multi-cuisine, with a focus on Oriental cuisine.

At Hotel Fidalgo, Panjim @ 7 pm – 2 am +918322226291

Addah

Confeitaria

Zuperb

Edu’s Restaurant

A sea-view deck on the beach, specialisingin Indian, barbeque At O Hotel, Candolim @ 7 pm – 10:30 pm +919890800073 Unlimited breakfast offer between 8am – 11amfor Rs 180 only.Open all days of the week.

At GaurroVaddo, Calangute +91 9869076107

Serves fresh bakeries, pastries, chocolates& specialty coffees &teas.

At Grand Hyatt, Bambolim @ 8 am – 8 pm +918323011200 A multi-cuisine restaurant with Indian, Chinese, international &Goan food.

Pizzas are one of their specialties.

Miramar, Panjim +91 832 2463777/2463888

Coros Velvet

Want gourmet food in Caranzalem?

Head to Coros Velvet. It’s a multicuisine fine dining restaurant which specialisesin ravioli, steaks &pastas.

At Miramar, Panjim @ 12 pm – 3 pm; 7 pm – 11 pm +918605020020

The Verandah

The signature grill restaurant at the Grand Hyatt serving fresh market produce of seafood, meat &vegetables.

At Grand Hyatt, Bambolim @ 7 pm – 12 am +918323011658

Doçaria

Doçaria is many things in one. A coffee shop, beverage counter, cake shop, games centre, snack bar and dessert lounge. It also has a late-night menu. In short, it provides everything you want in a relaxed open setting.

At Cidade de Goa, Dona Paula @ 8 am – 11 pm +918322454545

Tea Cafe

Cakes, coffee &other goodies!

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

Food 9

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Giardini

Live music on most nights, specialisingin multi-cuisine.

At Curca, Bambolim @ 11:30 am – 11 pm +918805873335

Chulha

Specialises in Indian street food &tandoor.

At Grand Hyatt Goa, Bambolim @ 3 pm – 11 pm +91 832 3011125

Cantina Bodega

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

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

Forrest Veg Food Court

Specialisingin Chinese, Indian&Italian cuisine.

At BhagwanMahavirBalVihar, Panjim @ 11 am – 11 pm +918326454353

A Pastelaria

Bakery & confectioneryspecialising in gateaux, pastries &cookies.

At Hotel Mandovi, Panaji From 9 am – 9 pm +918322426270/2426273

Global Shore Restaurant

Margao&Around Spice Studio

The award-winning Spice Studio has a dinner menu that takes guests on a culinary voyage of exploration from the fiery flavours of the southeast coast, to the dumpreparations of the Nawabs of Awadh& Hyderabad, to succulent tandoori fare from the Northwest Frontier &the rustic flavours of Goa. At AlilaDiwa, AdaoWaddo, Salcette @ 7 pm – 10:30 pm +918322746800

Ruta’s World Cafe

Located on a quiet side street right by the city’s Latin Quarter, a world away from the madding crowd.

Open for breakfast, lunch, coffee.

At Dr Miranda Road, Margao @ 9 am – 6 pm +91 832 2710757

Shandong

Asian cuisine restaurant with fine dining ambience.

At Radisson Blu Resort, Cavelossim Beach @ 11 am – 11 pm +91 832 6726666

Boat Quay Grill

A multi-cuisine restaurant specialisingin Goan, seafood, Chinese, Thai, Indian &tandoor.

At Hotel Chandrageet, Porvorim +91832 2414125/193731113205

Specialisingin world cuisine, European, grills At Royal Orchid Beach Resort, Utorda @ 7 pm – 12 am +918805013553

Barista Lavazza Outlet

Peppers

At Shop #15, 16, & 18, First Floor, Navelcar Trade Centre, MG Road, Panjim +918322422130

A’tona Bar and Restaurant

Specialisesin Goan& Portuguese food.

At Carina Desa, Betim @ 7 pm – 11 pm +919823129239

Baba’s Wood Cafe

An Italian wine bar &restaurant with pizza oven &homemade gelato.Wide choice of Italian dishes with beef fillet &fish always on the menu. @ 12 pm – 3 pm; closed on Tuesday At Mala, Fontainhas, Panaji +91832 3256213/9923414098

Peep Kitchen

Authentic Goan& multi-cuisine restaurant &bar.

Near Caranzalem Petrol Pump, Panjim +91 832 6454474

Café Azul

All day dining restaurant with buffet combo options.

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

Lahsooni Jhinga

Known for steaks &other meat dishes.

At Pajifond, Margao @ 11:30 am – 11 pm +91 9822133506

Cafe Mardi Gras

24-hour café serving seafood, Goan, North Indian, coffee & snacks.

At Holiday Inn Resort, Cavelossim @ All-day +918322871303

Gavin’s Restaurant & Pub Specialising in Goan cuisine, Goancurries, cafreal.

At Verna, around a kilometer off NH-17 +919822177179

Upper Deck

Coffee shop offering traditional coffee along with light snacks &drinks all day.

At Radisson Blu Resort, Cavelossim Beach +918326726666

Fig & Olive

Dig into flavours of the Mediterranean, Arabic & Italian fare.

At Holiday Inn Resort, Cavelossim @ 9 am – 11 pm +918322871303

From page 7 To me, preserved lemons are the premier secret ingredient of North African cuisine.

The taste is a bit tart, yes, but it is intensely lemony and different from using just juice and zest. The lemons are preserved whole – flesh, pith, and zest – by being packed in salt and their own juices for a month. The result: small, round, yellow lemons (you generally start with the smallest, roundest ones) that are soft and entirely edible, although I still remove the seeds.

I think it is the pith and the skin that so inform the flavour, that make them taste more like lemon than any lemon you’ve ever had. To use them, you can slice or dice as you wish. Just be sure to give them a quick rinse. And if you want to tone down their flavour, blanch them for 30 seconds to a minute in boiling water.

For today’s recipe, I have chosen an unorthodox preparation that really highlights the flavour of the preserved lemon. My grandmother’s dish is called Preserved Lemon Citrus Chicken with Coriander Gremolata. The dish has the texture of a tagine – the moist, tender chicken, falling off the bone, and the flavourful broth. The chicken is browned until crisp and golden, then scented with preserved lemons, lemon and orange zestand garlic. Wine adds to the piquant acidity of the dish, and fresh cream adds luxury to the broth. Coriander leaves are chopped with citrus zest and garlic for a unique and fragrant gremolata. Serve with baguettes or even brown rice – try one of those colourful varieties like spinach or sun-dried tomato.

Ingredients for Coriander Gremolata: • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped • 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar • Zest 1/2 lemon • 2 stems fresh thyme, leaves finely chopped • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander • Salt and pepper • 2 tablespoons finely chopped preserved lemon (about 1/2 small preserved lemon) Procedure: It’s very simple. All you have to do is mix the above ingredients together to make the Coriander Gremolata.

Ingredients for Lemon Citrus Chicken: • 1 chicken thigh, cut into pieces • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh coriander leaves • Salt and pepper

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil • 1 or 2 small preserved lemons, thinly sliced, seeded, and rinsed • 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced • 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar • Zest of 1/2 lemon • 3/4 cup dry white wine • 1 cup homemade chicken stock • 2 tablespoons fresh cream

Procedure: Ask your butcher only for thighs and drumsticks. Season the chicken pieces liberally with salt and pepper, and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon chopped fresh coriander.

Heat a wide, deep sauté pan over medium heat, and when the pan is hot, add the oil. Place the chicken in the hot pan, and sear until golden brown. Turn over, and sear until golden brown on the other side. Remove to a plate.

Lower the heat to low, and add the preserved lemons, garlic, and citrus zests. Quickly stir them around in the hot oil, and then add the white wine.

Raise the heat to high, and use tongs to pick up all the pieces of crisp chicken from the bottom of the pan. Add the stock, and season with salt and pepper.

Add the chicken pieces back into the pot, and when the liquid boils, reduce the heat to low.

Cover the pot, and cook for 30 minutes.

Remove the lid, and cook uncovered for 5 minutes more. Take the pan off the heat, and move the chicken pieces to a serving platter. Whisk 2 tablespoons of fresh cream into the hot wine and stock, and then pour over the chicken. Top with the Coriander Gremolata and serve with crusty baguette or rice.

Mix together all the ingredients in a small bowl and then sprinkle on top of the hot Preserved Lemon Citrus Chicken. _______

Chef Joel D’Souza specialises in infusing cuisines of different cultures while maintaining the authenticity of the region. After completing his apprenticeship in Mexican cuisine, he went to start a Mexican Restaurant in Mumbai.

Specialising in international cuisines, he loves to bring personality and passion to the table to make your dining experience authentic. Joel is also a food trainer in APB Cook Studio teaching Mexican Party Food and Pub Grub. He also has his own food channel on YouTube with India Food Network.

He owns a catering company called Crumbs to Gourmet.

Students and staff of Sunshine Worldwide School before a screening of Bhaag Milkha Bhaag in Panjim on July 19th.

See full story on page 18

Feature 11

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Black Pope vs White Pope Goa in the time of Jesuits

J

esuits all over the world will be celebrating the feast of their founder St. Ignatius on July 31. This year, it will be a little more joyful as they have many things to rejoice about. They are on the eve of their 200th anniversary of the restoration of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits’ religious order) and the Church finally has its first Jesuit Pope. In Goa, Jesuits see huge possibilities in pursuing their work – be it schools, retreats, research or working with the poor and the young.

Journalist Jonathan Rodrigues caught up with Father Rosario Rocha SJ, the Provincial of the Goa Jesuit Province. He spoke about the various expectations he has for the Province, on how the new Pope will bring about much-needed changes in the Church’s hierarchy and why the concept of celibacy is still alive.

JR: The Universal Church has its first Jesuit Pope. The common doubt in the mind of people is if the Black Pope (Superior General of the Society of Jesus) owes obedience to the White Pope (Francis)?

RR: Ordinarily, Jesuits do not accept positions of hierarchy in the Church.

But in some cases, the Pope requests a particular Jesuit to be a Bishop wherein he is dispensed from his vows to his religious Superior. In general for Jesuits, obedience to the Pope comes naturally, simply because every Jesuit takes a special 4th vow to the Pope.

JR: Pope Francis has won the hearts of millions in a short span of time.

Does his simplicity come naturally or is it a conscious effort to reach out to the poor?

RR: Coming from a Third-World country, Pope Francis’ struggles with the poor and marginalised have made him identify with the poor. His solidarity with the poor is tremendous and he has made this a mission for the Universal Church. His simplicity is genuine and he doesn’t get carried away by the pomp of the institution and office he holds.

It is a conviction more than anything else. He doesn’t live in the papal palace but resides at St. Martha’s Hostel which houses visitors to Vatican City.

JR: Until recently, social networking sites were indulging in extreme comparisons between the charming Pope Francis and his sophisticated predecessor. Do you feel the presence of Benedict XVI at the Vatican will influence the present Pope?

RR: Firstly, Pope Francis is not the first to do away with the sophistication of his office. Pope Paul VI also discarded ceremonial functions and simplified the Church, like doing away with the 3-tier crown. Secondly, Benedict the XVI is a man of principles who spends his time in scholarship and prayer, not necessarily interfering with matters of the Church. In simpler words, he holds no responsibility

of the Church anymore. True, Benedict XVI was a theologian whereas Francis is more of a pastor.

JR: The grapevine has it that the Pope will be visiting Goa next year for the exposition of the relics of St. Francis Xavier. Are the rumours true?

RR: I honestly have no news of developments on this subject. The Rector of the Basilica was quoted as saying “it would be good for him to come”, nothing more. I shall echo similar sentiments by saying that we would welcome him with open arms if he does visit us. Since the Pope is also a Head of State, there is a procedure that involves invitations and permissions which needs to be set in motion.

JR: The Jesuits in Goa have been serving the people through their educational institutions and spiritual animation. What future projects are in the pipeline?

RR: We wish to contribute to higher learning through Xavier Centre for Historical Research (XCHR) and Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr (TSKK) – both centres of learning based in Porvorim.

Soon, we will begin a postgraduate degree course in social history and culture of Goa which will be recognised by the Goa University. It is important for us to decide what we need to preserve and what we take in as new. Another issue is studying the situation of the migrants; we are working with people in Valpoi and Caranzalem. We have also begun working with young Christian professionals, helping them to deepen their faith.

JR: Goans fear losing their identity to ‘outsiders’, but you say we need to welcome them. Why? RR: Fear doesn’t conquer anything, it only makes you a slave; love, on the other hand, makes friends. We need to realize that many Goans have left Goa for a better life. They have been welcomed and never been a threat. The more we resist, the more shall our anxiety

and angst overrun us. However, if we welcome and integrate, they will blend in to preserve the beauty and charm of the Goan culture. Uniqueness is not preserved by shelling it, but by letting others internalise it. What is closed and preserved dies, but if we open ourselves, we will be enriched.

JR: TSKK was in the news for all the wrong reasons lately. Would you like to clear the air on the matter?

RR: There are differences that occur in any organization. However, the tremendous negative publicity given to TSKK and misguided interpretations of the subject matter was uncalled for.

There was no intention to merge TSKK with XCHR (a neighbouring centre for learning, also run by the Jesuits).

Each has its own special contribution; they will run independently, but will collaborate to enrich the culture of Goa. JR: Some people from other religions find it difficult to understand the concept of celibacy and question whether priests can actually live a life like that. How would you react?

RR: It is not about the means but the goal. It is about what you want to do in your life. The prevalent culture is a testimony to a man and woman falling in love and deciding to settle down. However, there are some who are inspired and motivated by people who have lived for others. They make them their idols in life. They find great meaning in living for others and if this means they have to stay celibate, then they are ready to embrace it.

Uniqueness is not preserved by shelling it, but by letting others internalise it.

What is closed and preserved dies, but if we open ourselves, we will be enriched.

JR: St. Ignatius had the gift of stirring people’s souls and motivating them to make a u-turn in their lives. What would be his message if he were walking down Goa’s streets today?

RR: He would have spoken about being true to yourself, true to our roots and yet becoming inclusive in the world like leaven in the dough.

He would tell priests to be where the people are, cross barriers with people and learn to universally accept one another.

12 Cover Story

Monsoon

Whiskey Nights The Unique Pleasure of Single Malt Scotch

By Goa Streets

A sip can transport you on a complex odyssey. Imagine yourself in an Italian garden surrounded with mandarin, lemon, pear and peach trees, their fruit ripening in the sun. Add a hint of vanilla ice-cream, some geranium and wild mint growing nearby – it is a velvet explosion. Elegant.

The perfect luxury...

I

f you’re already a single malt Scotch drinker, then you need no convincing. If you’re not, a unique, soul-warming pleasure awaits you. It may not happen overnight.

Developing a taste for single malts and an appreciation of their beauty and complexity can take time. But once you do, there’s no turning back.

“A sip can transport you on a complex odyssey. Imagine yourself in an Italian garden surrounded with mandarin,

lemon, pear and peach trees, their fruit ripening in the sun. Add a hint of vanilla ice-cream, some geranium and wild mint growing nearby – it is a velvet explosion. Elegant. The perfect luxury,” says one single-malt connoisseur.

And now, single malts are coming to Goa in a big way.

When we think of Scotch whiskey many of us visualise a bottle of Johnnie Walker or Vat 69, which – like other popular Scotch brands – are blends of different whiskies from different distilleries. In contrast, single malts are unblended and produced by single

distilleries in Scotland. Even if the number of Goans who know their Glenfiddichs from Glen Drummonds isn’t gigantic, signs are clear that the figure will rise.

“It is definitely a growing market.

I would say in the big cities singlemalt drinkers now comprise about 10 percent of the premium whiskey drinkers segment. More and more young people are also getting interested in drinking single malts.

Because of this, more and more variants are being introduced into the markets,” says whiskey expert and single malt connoisseur Shatbhi Basu.

Of all the phenomena driving this market growth, two stand out: an expected drop in prices resulting from current trade negotiations with the European Union, and the existence of a dedicated group of individuals intent on building a single malt culture in Goa. At the forefront of this movement is the buzzing new party spot Malts n Wines, which offers a great selection of single malt Scotch and is run by committed single-malt aficionados who want to spread the word. We at Goa Streets share the passion for single malts, so we decided to help them. We’ve teamed up with Malts n Wines to host Monsoon Whiskey Nights, where the joy of single malt appreciation will be savoured and celebrated.

Noted Mumbai-based media personality Anil Dharker, who started India’s first Single Malt Club in Mumbai more than a decade ago, and who is a regular visitor to Goa, says he hasn’t come across too many Goan single malt drinkers. But, with the drinking and dining scene in Goa growing in worldliness, all that is set to change.

Malts N Wines, near the Baga Bridge, is already a hit with the

Cover Story 13 Photographs by Ananda Krishna

locals, as anyone who’s danced the night away there knows. Most wine shops in the buzzing coastal belt of Calangute-Candolim, which sees an influx of thousands of British tourists during the season, have single malts on their shelves. The two main Magsons supermarkets in Panjim – in Miramar and Calculo Mall – and the Magsons at Varca are good places to purchase premium spirits including single malts, as is Newton’s and Delfino’s Supermarkets in Candolim.

Nilesh Lawande, one of the partners at Malts N Wines, says it’s all about passion. “I love single malts and decided to open a place where people who love fine drinks and wines could come to. We have everything, but we are concentrating more on the single malts and wines,” he says about his bar which opened on March 22. At the moment they have 36 different brands of single malts in stock, his favourite being Lagavulin.

So, why this great fascination for single malts, and why the exclusive clubs of single malt connoisseurs?

It’s probably to do with the mystique and the taste of Scotland. There are five traditional single malt producing regions: Highland, Island, Speyside, Islay and Lowland, with the whiskey from each of these regions having its own distinctive traits. These differ from distillery to distillery, and even from year to year, depending on the harvest, climatic conditions, distillers and other factors.

“A good single malt has a top note and a bottom note, which makes the range very exciting,” says a single malt connoisseur who did not want to be named. “In some cases I prefer the younger ones. For instance, I enjoy the Balvenie 15-year-old more than the Balvenie 21-year-old. I like fresh and sweet whiskies more than the

smoky and peaty versions – I enjoy the Glenmorangie 10-year-old and Nectar D’Or,” he says.

Most of the good wine shops in Goa today have a selection of single malts, depending on what is supplied to them and their customer base.

Many wine/liquor stores will be able to get you your choice if you order in advance. You can choose from a wide variety. There’s the illustrious Glenmorangie from the Scottish Highlands and Ardbeg Uigeadail, considered the ultimate Islay malt.

There’s the famous Glenlivet 12-yearold, 15-year-old and 18-year-old, from Speyside, and Talisker 10, 18, 25, 30-year-olds; Singleton of Glen Ord 12, 18-year-old; Lagavulin 16-year-old; Cragganmore 12-year-old; Dalwhinnie 15-year-old; Glenkinchie 12-yearold; Oban 14-year-old; Caol Ila 12 & 18-year-olds; Cardhu 12-year-old; Clynelish 14-year-old and Glen Elgin 12-year-old, and Glenfiddich and The Balvenie – both Speyside.

And these are just the bigger known brands. There are dozens of smaller

brands out there for takers. Many consider the Glenmorangie Original as one of the most complex and aromatic single malt whiskies in the world. The experience is likened to being in a perfumery.

Other single malts can be very peaty and smoky and leave you roaring like a lion. For people who have actually travelled to the distilleries where they make these whiskies, just a sip is enough to transport them back to Scotland. Distillers, too, like to play around with their single malts, for example, maturing them in casks which were earlier used to store Port, Sherry, Madeira and other wines. This add complexity to the flavour.

For Anil Dharker, the Balvenie Single Barrel 15-year-old is among the finer single malts. “Drawn from a single cask of a single distillation, the long period spent in wood brings out a luxurious mellowness. If you want a slightly different finish, try the Balvenie New Wood edition. By transferring

turn to page 14

14 Cover Story

From page 13

It was Ladies Night, but only the guys fell for it

the whisky during maturation from traditional wood casks to new casks, a spicier flavour is introduced which is well-balanced with the whiskey’s characteristic soft, honey flavour,” he says.

Anil founded the Single Malt Club in Mumbai because “at every party I met some people who seemed to be enjoying their single malts.

Membership has fluctuated from 10 members to 80 and then down to 50 and so on. When I started my club we had a strict policy of ‘no women, no soda’. But that had to change.” (At least the part about no women. Single malt purists don’t mix it with soda, but rather just a bit of water) Now they have women members too, and Mumbai-based Shatbhi Basu, one of India’s biggest cocktail consultants, says she uses single malts

sometimes in making new cocktails.

“They can taste quite strong, but if it’s one of the milder tasting single malts, and is mixed in the right proportion, then they can taste great,” she says.

The taste for single malt whiskies is a recent one. Until a couple of decades ago, outside of Scotland, not many had even heard of single malts and even the producers preferred to sell their single malts in bulk to big blending houses.

Single malt producers also did not have the wherewithal to bottle and export their whiskies, and thus the blended whiskies ruled the roost. But once an experienced whiskey drinker tries some good single malts, there is a high likelihood he or she will be hooked. Don’t forget to check out Monsoon Whiskey Nights at Malts n Wines. For updates and details, log onto www. goastreets.com or check out the Goa Streets and Malts n Wines pages.

15

Thursday, July 25, 2013

streetspicks

Photographs by Ananda Krishna

Konkani Play ‘Koddu’ Unlike its name that translates as ‘bitter’ in Konkani, this latest offering from John D’Silva will leave you in splits – but only if you know your Konkani. John is one of the top comedians of the Konkani stage and his tiatrs have been staged abroad as well. He is the first recipient of the Government of Goa’s ‘Yuva Srujan Puraskar’. Though funny, his comedies always drive home a strong message.

At: Ravindra Bhavan, Sanvordem @ 3:30 pm Contact: +91 832 265083

Creative Writing Workshop The first in a series of creative writing workshops will be organised at the International Centre Goa on Sunday, July 28. It will be conducted by writer, artist &academicSavia Viegas. Ms Viegas already has published works of fiction to her name.

At the end of the series, participants will have to write and submit a piece of writing (about 2,000 words). Some of the best write-ups will be selected to publish in the form of a book which will be launched during the upcoming IV Goa Arts & Literary Festival.

At: The International Centre Goa, Dr E Borges Road, Dona Paula @ 10 am – 6 pm Contact: +91 832 2452805

Goan Godhadis Through The Ages Goa State Museum, in collaboration with Naree Artisans Movement (NAM),has organised an exhibition on old Goan quilts made by Goan women 50-70 years ago.

The exhibition also features works by those who participated in the Goa Quilt Design Contest 2013. Participants had to make quilts entirely by hand using patchwork or saris using new designs.

The exhibition is on till August 8.

At Goa State Museum, Patto, Panjim @ 9:30 am – 5:30 pm +91 832 2437306/ 2438006

Book Club Meet Literati Bookshop & Café’s book club will meet to discuss Nobel Prize-winning author Nadine Godimer’s ‘No Time Like The Present’ over potluck on Thursday, August 1. The book follows the fortunes of one family and their friends (all veterans of the war against South African Apartheid) in a Johannesburg suburb between the mid-1990s and the end of 2009.

At Literati Bookshop & Café, Calangute @ 8:15 pm +91 832 2277740

The bold strokes of Fernanda de Melo

By José Lourenço

T

he gate to Fernanda de Melo’s house at Tivim has a rising sun motif, popular during the Art Deco period that blew lightly through Goa in the 1950s. The house itself is much older. Fernanda (32) greets us cheerily and moves on to brew some coffee, while we are subjected to quickfire questions from her 3-year old son Elric. The coffee arrives and our talk moves to art.

Fernanda graduated with a degree in fine arts from Goa College of Art in 2000 and went on to gain a Master degree at the Sarojini Naidu School of Fine Art at Hyderabad. She recalls fellow artists Viraj Naik, Siddarth Gosavi and Shilpa Mayekar from her college days. After painting for a couple of years in Goa, she did a short stint in Dubai. But in 2009 she returned to Goa with a baby boy, and resumed painting with a renewed passion. She has participated in the Golden Threshold group exhibition at Goa, Mumbai and Delhi in 2004, the Daniel Pearl tribute exhibition at Panjim in 2003, a show by Art ChamberCalangute in Delhi in 2008, and recently at the Friday Art Bazsar at Art Chamber, Calangute in 2012 and at Ruchika’s Art Gallery, Panjim in February 2013. She works with acrylics on paper and canvas as well as mixed media.

“I like FN Souza’s vibrant colours and his love of life,” says Fernanda, referring to the great Goan

artist Francis Newton Souza. “His work has been a mentoring force for me.” The Master’s influence in her work is tangible. The strong dabs, the wild faces and thick features all tell of a young artist who has taken the visual tools of the master and learned to tell her own stories through them.

Her older paintings are softer and more contemplative, while her latest series of portraits throbs with raw energy delivered through bold strokes and aggressive contrast. There is more confidence now and certainly a greater fury in her works now.

“I strive to paint the Goa that I knew,” Fernanda tells me. “The facets of yesterday that are going or gone, our objects and our culture.

These are people I see every day,” she says, “People who make me see things. My characters may not appear beautiful. They are what they are, fat, dark, with teeth sticking out, but I see beauty in them.”

There are a lot of couples in her paintings. The embrace of Man and Woman is frozen in many frames. “It may be is a kind of wish fulfillment from my childhood. I was very close to my father and grandfather, and perhaps I am hugging them through my paintings,” muses Fernanda.

‘Passion’, one of her most striking paintings, has an ogre-like man groping a woman in the throes of passion, his tongue slobbering on her

Turn to page 16

16 Arts&Entertainent From page 15

July 18 – July 28

Galleries Of Note

Spanish 75

Kerkar Art Gallery

Besides original art, you can also buy reproductions of famous paintings and frames.

At Gauravaddo, Calangute @ 10 am – 7 pm +918322276017

An exhibition of photographs from Spainby AdrielAlvares. Pictures on display include those of Spanish landscapes, nature, architecture, culture and street musicians/artistes.

At Big Foot Tiatr Hall of Fame, Loutolim @ 9 am – 6 pm +91 832 2777034

Ruchika’s Art Gallery

July 18 – September 30 Weekend Art Workshop

Explore your creativity at Chitrangan, the weekend art studio, at Gallery Gitanjali every Saturday.Learn about watercolours, oil pastels &acrylics with an experienced teacher over 12 modules.

At Gallery Gitanjali, Panjim @ 2:30 pm – 6:30 pm +917350530445/+918322423331

July 26 Photo Contest

The Good Shepherd Social Organisation is organising an open photo contest on the caption ‘Our Grandparents - Our Rainbow of Life’. Prizes and certificates will be awarded for the best photos. Open for all.

At Fatorda +91 9850047533

July 27 Konkani Play: ApunnApleakDevSomestank

Written &directed by Mariano Fernandez At Kala Academy, Panjim @ 3:30 pm +91 832 2420453

August 10 All-Goa Dance Competition

Performance categories will be hip-hop/ fusion. Maximum 8 members in each group will be allowed. Best group will be rewarded!

At Dugrem Ground, Agassaim +91 7507437370/+91 7507891052 ysd.society@gmail.com

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

Opposite Goa Marriott Resort, Miramar @ 10:30 am – 6 pm +91 8322465875/ +91 9850571283/ +919881836400

Xavier Centre

OfHistorical Research

Catch exhibitions of paintings, rare books and symposiums with particular emphasis on contemporary cultural &social issues affecting Goa. At BBBorkarRoad, Porvorim +918322417772

Surya Art Gallery

Surya Art Gallery is situated in a quiet location where contemporary works of canvas paintings of Goa &artefactsare displayed.

At Bandawalwada, Pernem +919404149764

Yemanja Art Gallery

Features works by different artists.

At Betim, VeremRoad, Reis Magos +918322416930

Panaji Art Gallery

To promote Goan art, this gallery displays figurative &individual works of Goanartists.

At Panaji Art Gallery @ 9 am – 8 pm +919822168703

Arte Douro Art Gallery

This gallery displays paintings on canvas of original art &international print arts. It also showcases works by contemporary artists from India and abroad.

At PorbaVaddo, Calangute @ 9 am – 9 pm +919822147148

neck and a hand at her crotch. Fernanda recalls her sister flinching at the painting when in progress, with its raw depiction of debauched desire. The image sears into the viewer’s mind, with a Goya-like intensity.

A still life of a blue bottle and an opener catches my eye. The handle of the opener is in the shape of a woman’s body with prominent plastic buttocks. “I saw this opener at a wine shop,” says Fernanda. A chauvinistically designed tool is placed in a work of art, making a quiet statement.

An untitled canvas has a stocky woman in a red dress cradling a Pilgrim Lady’s wooden shrine that is traditionally carried from house

to house in Goan villages. But in place of Our Lady’s statuette is an image of a man and woman embracing. What lies at the heart of our devotion? the wistful woman in red seems to ask.

Another remarkable painting is that of a priest in a white cassock, glaring with reddened eyes.

“After my Masters studies, my mother sent me off to Pota in Kerala for a retreat, perhaps to find myself,” recounts Fernanda. “The priest there folded his hands and said ‘Tell me your sins.’ I painted him as you see, listening to my sins with a superior, patronizing look.”

Professional rigour is evident in the practice of her art. “I paint the same study repeatedly, at times, to get the image right,” showing me earlier variations of the ghoulish priest, who turns most diabolical in the final painting, like a Father Dorian Gray.

Fernanda de Melo does not paint pretty pictures. Her paintings are angry, brutal and strong. The DNA of a wild master lies in their genes. Like the rising sun motif on her house gate, her art glows with raw desire.

“What is the difference between a rising sun and a setting sun?” one may ask. Fernanda would smile and care a damn, as long as the sun’s golden strokes burn her canvas well. 

Thursday, July 25, 2013

streetspicks Competency Development Workshop Walter Mascarenhas, ex-Squadron Leader of the Indian Air Force & a motivational speaker, will conduct a one-day competency development workshop on ‘Conversation Competencies’ on Friday, July 26. This workshop’s for all those engaged in social & business relationships, including leaders, managers, employees and independent consultants.

Understand how to communicate effectively, develop confidence, learn strategies for building instant rapport, and a whole lot of other things!

At The International Centre Goa, Dr E Borges Road, Dona Paula @ 10 am – 5 pm +91 832 2452805

Every Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday Vocal Classes

At Swami Vivekananda Society, Panjim @ 10 am – 12 pm +918322224098

Every Tuesday & Thursday Harmonium Classes

At Swami Vivekananda Society, Panjim @ 2 pm – 8 pm +91 832 2224098

YHAI Trek

Everyday

The Youth Hostels Association of India (YHAI), Panjim unit, is organising a one-day trek to Vaghbill Waterfall, situated between Kalane&Sasoli villages in Dodamarg, Maharashtra, 12 km from the Goa border. Participation is open to all nature enthusiasts. The fee for the trek is Rs 150.The bus leaves at 8am on Sunday, July 28, from the Old Secretariat, Panjim.

For more information, contact +91 9822125868.

Organised by Walter Mascarenhas; every day by prior appointment only.

At The International Centre Goa, Dona Paula @ 5 pm – 7 pm +91 9822911161

Spice Farms

Kiddos Day Out EnvironmentalistRajendraKerkar will lead a trek to the ghats in Chorla, Goa’s biodiversity hotspot on Sunday, July 28. Give your children an introduction to nature with nature trails and a walk to the Conservatory. Transport, breakfast and lunch will be provided. Children up to 16 years are welcome to participate; parents may join in. Fees for the trek come up to Rs 300/ person. For more information, call +91 9822168112 or +91 9422445444.

Spice Up Your Day Managed &run by the Shetye family, the 100-acre Savoi Plantation is a 200-year-old spice plantation. Enjoy a day in an organic and natural environment while taking in the joys of birdwatching simultaneously. The buffet displays traditional Goan ‘Saraswat’ cuisine served in mud pots &banana leaf plates, along with seasonal fruits grown in the plantation itself.

Savoi Plantation, Ponda Phone: +91 832 2340272/2340243/9822133309

July 18 – October 15

Everyday

Advanced Arts Programme

TukTuk

A workshop on oil &acrylic painting on canvas designed for amateur artists.

Selected art works will be exhibited at the organisation’s annual exhibition.

At Canopy Azure, Art &Design Community, Margao @ 3.30 pm – 6 pm +91 9326135577

August 11– August 18 Yoga, Rejuvenation,

Meditation

Join Sonja Appel for a 7-day yoga immersion. Discover how yoga is much more than just a physical activity; that it is about creating a union between the mind, body and soul.

At Morjim-Ashvem Road, Pernem +919923219230

Free Swimming Guidance

From apparel to jewellery, bags to accessories, everything at TukTuk is hand-picked from across India.

At A104, Pereira Plaza, Opposite Hospicio, Margao @ 10:30 am – 1 pm & 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm +919049017182

Monday & Friday Taekwondo Sessions

Learn martial arts, fitness, health & self-defence with trainerVincent Rosario; introductory feeRs 400/month.

At The International Centre Goa, Dona Paula @ 5:15 pm – 6:15 pm +919823696138

Tropical Spice Plantation

Elephant rides, authentic Goan cuisine, mini-bird sanctuary &a boat to row or paddle. At Arla Bazar Keri, Ponda +91 832 2340329 Email: tropicalspice@rediffmail.com

Sahakari Spice Farm

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

At Ponda Belgaum Highway, Curti +91 832 2312394 Email: info@sahakarifarms.com

Savoi Plantation

Offers traditional Goan Saraswat cuisine served in mud pots &banana leaf plates along with seasonal fruits grown in the plantation At Ponda +91 832 2340272/9423888899 Email: savaiplantation@rediffmail. com

Museums Museum of Christian Art

All days of the week at the Convent of Santa Monica, Old Goa @ 9:30 am – 5 pm +91 832 2285299

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 +91 832 6570877/9850466165 Email: goachitra@gmail.com

Big Foot Cross Museum

Houses 80 classifications of crosses from around the world.

At Big Foot, Loutolim @ 10 am to 5 pm +91 832 2777034

Ancestral Goa

A centre for the preservation & promotion of art, culture & environment started by Maendra JA Alvares.

At Big Foot, Loutolim @ 9:30 am – 6 pm +91 832 2777034 Email: info@ancestralgoa.com

Casa Araujo Alvares

North Goa

Goa’s first automated sound & light museum. A 250-year-old mansion showcasing traditional inheritance.

At Loutolim @ 9:30 am – 5:30 pm +91 832 2777034

Snip Salon Spas

LANGUAGES

Spa Sitara

Alliance Française

Learn French courses @ Panjim +91 832 2420049/9922813950

St. Britto

Learn French @ Mapusa +91 832 2293812/9049018214

COOKING

At Padmavati Towers, Panjim @ 10 am to 9 pm 2420898/989 www.snipsalonandspa.com At Fort Aguada Rd, Candolim +918888886084

Sephora Salon & Spa

A Dubai-based beauty services chain Nr. Don Bosco School, Panjim. @ 9 am to 9 pm, Open daily 2231314, 3260890

Papiillon The Beauty Lounge

Taeng’s Cookery Classes

Virginkar Bhavan, Opposite Saraswat Bank, Margao, Goa - 403601 9822488355, 9822488366, (0832) 6483110, 6483111, 6480107, 6480106

Bertha Pereira Cooking Classes

Papiillon Salon and Wellness

@ Margao +919822585944 @ Margao +918322734589

Vandana’s Bakery Classes @ Caranzalem +918322462163

opposite Domino’s Pizza, Naika Vaddo, Calangute, Goa -403516 0832 6518355/6515363

The Orient Spa at the Cambay Beach Resort,

Meena’s Cooking Classes

Holiday Street,Kerkar Art Gallery Lane, Calangute, Bardez, Goa - 403 516 Phone: +91 832 2276151, 2277397, 2277399 Spa Manager: +91 91580 07110

GESTO Culinary & Hospitality Academy

South Goa

@ Caranzalem +918322462163

@ Margao +91 832 2730873

Park Hyatt Goa Resort

Branca’s Cooking Classes

@ Panjim +91 9822131835

At Arossim Beach, Cansaulim +918322721234/+919923207075

Dance

Beyond Looks Beauty Salon

David Furtado Dance & Aerobics Learn salsa, jive waltz for adults & Bollywood, hip hop & contemporary dance for kids. @ Panjim, Mapusa, Porvorim, Candolim, Aldona & Saligao +91 9975914195

Cyrus Da Costa Dance Classes

Viennese waltz, foxtrot, cha cha cha, jive; Monday to Saturday @ Margao +91 832 2715906/9921039537

and Spa

At Margao, Salcete +919822100932

Amanya Spa & Salon

Traditional Ayurvedic Therapies Relaxing European Massages Mystical Oriental Therapies Rejuvenating Body Scrubs and Wraps Pampering Bath Preparations Indulging Facials At Ranghvi Estate, Dabolim (Near airport), Vasco, +918326486888/+918322538661/ +919096700407

18 Feature

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and

the Children of Sunshine

By Puja Roy

O

n July 19, Friday, Goa’s muchloved multiplex, INOX, was transformed into a sea of red, yellow and blue with hundreds of school children gathered there for an unusual outing. These students, from Classes II – X, and belonging to Old Goa’s Sunshine Worldwide School, were waiting for a special session to begin: the screening of recently-released biopic ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ produced and directed by awardwinning filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra (of BAFTA-nominated Rang De Basanti fame).

The rain gods seemed rather benevolent that morning with the skies bravely holding up. There was a buzz of anticipation as everyone waited excitedly for the film to start. Teachers carefully marked ‘presents’ and ‘absents’ on their attendance sheets while the school’s management and members of the Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) exchanged smiles and good mornings.

Among the students, only two topics seemed to be doing the rounds – those of the film’s chief protagonist Milkha Singh (played movingly by Farhan Akhtar), and popcorn! Raineera Baretto, a member of the school’s Students Council, said this was the first time she was witnessing an event of this nature and was ‘looking forward’ to learning more about the legendary Milkha Singh. “I think this is a movie we’re going to learn from.” Her classmate Kimberly Rodrigues added,

“Our school’s philosophy is learning with fun and that’s what we’re going to be doing today.”

Deepak Khaitan, Sunshine Worldwide School’s Managing Trustee says, “Today’s children need real life education skills to help them live a life of significance with a positive attitude of mind.” He added that apart from learning about Milkha Singh’s successes as an athlete, it was important that the students took home another very important message from the film – that one’s biggest competitor was oneself; and that success requires discipline, perseverance and focussing on a goal. Principal Anil Kashyap said, “There’s a stereotype that films are only entertainment, but they

can also be education. We hope other schools take a cue from us and start something like this.”

Christopher D’Souza, who leads the parents of the PTA, said, “We want to let our children know that they have been born into a world of abundance, not scarcity… They need to take advantage of what they have and make something out of it. Also, as a parent I feel that this is something new; that education does not necessarily have to begin and end in the classroom. This is also education…We hope to have more of these events which have a lasting impact on our children and they take that back home to mum and dad.”

Going by the intensity of the clapping and cheering that were heard through the film’s three-and-half-hours, it can be safely said that Bhaag Milkha Bhaag was a definite hit among the students. While a majority of them only knew of Milkha Singh as ‘India’s famous athlete’ and ‘a man who runs very fast’, they came out of the theatre with some insight into the sportsman’s early life and personal struggles climbing up the national sports ladder. Ananya Sinha, a Class III student, said “I liked Milkha’s spirit. I liked how he

was running.”

Another aspect of the film that seemed to touch the students was the film’s focus on India’s post-Partition history – the communal riots, the struggles of Punjabi refugees who crossed the border from Pakistan, and the hardships faced by them. Aneesh Bhonsale, a Class X student said, “The film made me realise how tough Partition was for those who went through it. I don’t know if I could have achieved the things Milkha Singh did in spite of his personal tragedy.”

All in all, the film screening proved to a great success for Sunshine Worldwide School. While the kids got a break from daily classes, they also got a sneak-peak into India’s history and learnt about one of the nation’s most treasured sport sons while munching on popcorn and delicious samosas. The bigger thing they learnt, however, was that competing doesn’t always mean having to win; it means challenging oneself to push her/his own boundaries and creating a path of success determined only by one’s will power.

Farhan Akhtar & Co, you now have 500 new fans at Sunshine Worldwide School in Goa. Kudos to the management and parents for thinking out of the box! 

Feature 19

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Photographs by Ananda Krishna

Sending them packing

By Dielle D’Souza

I

f you are a young working professional living in Goa and expect to catch up with former classmates, you’ll know how hard it is to get everyone together. Most of your school friends are probably working out of Goa, and it appears that the imbalance between pay checks and the cost of living in the state is keeping them away from home.

At nearly 90 per cent, Goa has one of the highest literacy rates in the country, with thousands of students graduating each year. But are we paying them enough to keep them in the state? “My salary expectations were way above what my first pay check was,” said Janice Rodrigues. With a post-graduate diploma in journalism and a masters degree in English, she felt overworked and underpaid at her job at a local English daily.

“I was expecting at least Rs10,000 per month, but had to settle for around Rs6,000 per month, writing an article every day,” the 26-year-old added. Even if she were able to double her salary in the next five years, she knew that Rs12,000 a month certainly wouldn’t be much at an age when she would want to be thinking about owning her own roof or set of wheels.

Her disappointment was echoed by

Young professionals:

Why do they leave?

Disappointed by the pay scales in Goa, many youngsters succumb to the lure of higher salaries and growth in jobs elsewhere Maryanne Aranjo Fernandes, who spent a fair bit of money and three years at a hotel management institute in the state, but landed up earning a comparatively dismal sum on her first job. “You spend in lakhs to study, but when it comes to salaries, you earn almost nothing,” she said. With dozens of youngsters lining up for tourism-related jobs, Maryanne found herself looking at Rs 3,000 a month as compensation for working eight hours in the front office of a hotel in Calangute. Soon she moved to a call centre in Mumbai where she started off with a salary more than six times her first pay check in Goa, and has moved up the ladder since then.

A quick peek into ‘Situations Vacant’ in the newspapers reveals a wide range of jobs available for the taking. Still, a vast number of youngsters looking for quick growth in career and finances

opt to move away from home. Rylan D’Souza bagged his first job through a placement programme at Goa College of Engineering. The Electronics and Telecommunications graduate got his career off to a flying start at Siemens in Mumbai.

While he got the salary he expected, he looked to move away as a jumpstart to professional life. “Goa allows you a guaranteed balanced life, but from my knowledge and experience, job growth and learning or exposure is very limited,” the Abu Dhabi-based professional said.

Engineering institutes can charge a few lakhs a year in fees and with a handful of companies in the fray, staying back in Goa is sometimes a gamble.

According to the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), 82 per cent of Information Technology graduates look elsewhere for jobs, mainly zeroing in on cities like Pune, Mumbai, Hyderabad or Chennai or flying overseas. “The younger lot is moving out of Goa because they are aware of the difference in pay between Goa and other cities, particularly the metros,” Janice noted.

Sahaad Fernandes too left Goa for better prospects abroad. “I moved to Dubai since the growth in jobs is better there. The salary is triple or more than what you’d get in Goa, but even if money was not an issue I would still prefer working abroad because of better

standards of living and growth,” he said.

Former president of the GCCI Manguirish Pai Raikar earlier said that more needed to be done to keep Goans in the state. “The GCCI has to strive towards creating employment opportunities in the state and have a brain-drain reversal by helping Goans find employment opportunities in our own state,” he had told an annual general meeting.

But will creating more jobs alone keep Goans at home? Rylan believes the rising cost of living in Goa is making it increasingly difficult to enjoy a comfortable life here. “The cost of food and housing is becoming extremely expensive. As a fresh employee entering the workforce in Goa with the average salaries, it is next to impossible to buy a flat in areas like Panjim where I come from,” he said.

Prices for two-bedroom apartments in the capital can soar way beyond Rs 50 lakhs, a figure daunting enough for wellsettled middle class families. For many youngsters getting a foot in the door, ownership of their own apartment or even a car gets pushed back by EMIs on educational loans, a vibrant social life and now increasingly, travel.

Janice summed up the situation: “If my average salary remained the same as what I earned over the last year or so, I don’t think I’d be able to afford my own flat for another 20 years!”

20 Hot Streets

Too hot for the family

Dear Acaricia May I am a 23-year-old woman from a traditional Indian family. I respect my family very much and try to do my best not to upset them. The problem is I don’t feel very traditional myself, and none of my friends are traditional. On weekends, we like to go out and have fun. I’ve started keeping some clothes I bought without my parents’ knowledge at one of my girlfriends’ houses.

You know, more modern clothes like jeans and blouses.

I wear my saris and my shalwar kameezes when I’m with the family, and usually change out of them when I’m with my friends. I even bought a bikini, which I have worn at the beach and at pool parties. The problems started a few months back when someone at the beach who my parents know saw me at the beach in my bikini.

They called my mother and told her about it. When my mother asked me about it, I just laughed and said they must have mistaken me for someone else. She was very relieved. But then someone else saw me in tight jeans just the other day, and again mentioned it to my parents.

Again, I pretended not to know what they were talking about hoping all this would just go away. My father went into a big long speech about the need for girls to be modest and the evils of jean wearing. Now I’m feeling I don’t want to live this double life any more. But I think if I told them the whole truth they would just die. What do you think I should do?

Signed, Anandi – Panjim Dear Anandi, This is an age-old problem that is common in every society that straddles the netherworld between modernity and tradition. The character Jesminder in ‘Bend It Like Beckham’ handled it memorably, respecting her family’s traditions while at the same time working to gradually bring them to her side. It seems to me you have three goals: 1) To live freely on your own terms, 2) to live honestly without lies and, 3) not to upset your family. If you do No. 1 and No. 2, then perhaps No. 3 is not possible. And if you do No. 3, perhaps No. 1, living freely, and No. 2, living honestly, won’t be possible. Anandi dear, this is a tough one. But here is my advice: Do all three, but do it with sensitivity, like Jesminder did, and hope your family will come to accept your choices.

Let them know that you appreciate their warm embrace, that you love them. And that you are also an adult with views of your own in a changing world. It might be a rocky road. But I think it’s worth a try. Good luck to you.

Love, Acaricia May Dear Acaricia May,

I m 27yrs n i m havin a problem of pimple on my face n it luks horrible. I used many ointment but it does nt wrk. It luks very bad when every1 ask 2much of pimple u got. Is dis cuz of shaving? Ther is any way 2 cure it? Pls suggest me d cure 4 my pimple.

Signed, Alibrown Rodricks Dear Alibrown, I d sex colmnst, not d drmtolgst.

Love, Acaricia May

Humour 21

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Crazy Courtroom Exchanges It may be difficult to believe, but the below exchanges actually took place in actual courtrooms. They’re a collection of things people said while in court, recorded word for word by court reporters. It’s from a book called Disorder in the Courts.

ATTORNEY: What was the first thing your husband said to you that morning?

WITNESS: He said, ‘Where am I, Cathy?’

ATTORNEY: And why did that upset you?

WITNESS: My name is Susan! ____________________________________________

_________________________________________

ATTORNEY: ALL your responses MUST be oral, OK? What school did you go to?

WITNESS: Oral... _________________________________________

ATTORNEY: What gear were you in at the moment of the impact?

WITNESS: Gucci sweats and Reeboks. ____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Do you recall the time that you examined the body?

WITNESS: The autopsy started around 8:30 PM ATTORNEY: And Mr. Denton was dead at the time?

WITNESS: If not, he was by the time I finished. ____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: What is your date of birth?

WITNESS: July 18th.

ATTORNEY: What year?

WITNESS: Every year. _____________________________________

ATTORNEY: How old is your son, the one living with you?

WITNESS: Thirty-eight or thirty-five, I can’t remember which.

ATTORNEY: How long has he lived with you?

WITNESS: Forty-five years. _________________________________

ATTORNEY: This myasthenia gravis, does it affect your memory at all?

WITNESS: Yes. ATTORNEY: And in what ways does it affect your memory?

WITNESS: I forget.

ATTORNEY: You forget? Can you give us an example of something you forgot? ___________________________________________ ATTORNEY: Now doctor, isn’t it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn’t know about it until the next morning?

WITNESS: Did you actually pass the bar exam? ____________________________________ ATTORNEY: The youngest son, the 20-year-old, how old is he?

WITNESS: He’s 20, much like your IQ.

ATTORNEY: Are you qualified to give a urine sample?

WITNESS: Are you qualified to ask that question? ___________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Were you present when your picture was taken?

WITNESS: Are you shitting me? _________________________________________ ATTORNEY: She had three children , right?

WITNESS: Yes. ATTORNEY: How many were boys?

WITNESS: None.

ATTORNEY: Were there any girls?

WITNESS: Your Honor, I think I need a different attorney. Can I get a new attorney? ____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: How was your first marriage terminated?

WITNESS: By death..

ATTORNEY: And by whose death was it terminated?

WITNESS: Take a guess.

___________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Can you describe the individual?

WITNESS: He was about medium height and had a beard ATTORNEY: Was this a male or a female?

WITNESS: Unless the Circus was in town I’m going with male. _____________________________________

ATTORNEY: Is your appearance here this morning pursuant to a deposition notice which I sent to your attorney?

WITNESS: No, this is how I dress when I go to work. ______________________________________ ATTORNEY: Doctor , how many of your autopsies have you performed on dead people?

WITNESS: All of them. The live ones put up too much of a fight.

______________________________________ And last:

ATTORNEY: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?

WITNESS: No. ATTORNEY: Did you check for blood pressure?

WITNESS: No. ATTORNEY: Did you check for breathing?

WITNESS: No..

ATTORNEY: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?

WITNESS: No. ATTORNEY: How can you be so sure, Doctor?

WITNESS: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.

ATTORNEY: I see, but could the patient have still been alive, nevertheless?

WITNESS: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law

22 Feature

Treasures in the Trash Extraordinary items turn up in scrapyards Photographs by Ananda Krishna

By Jonathan Rodrigues

Y

our grandfather’s gigantic rocking chair was perhaps very old even when he sat on it with you on his lap years ago, tossing around on rainy days. Same goes for the metal hook doors, the huge clocks, the king-size arm chairs, the gramophone, the record player and many other pieces that may have adorned his home.

These are the sort of extraordinary items that often pop up at Goa’s scrapyards and antique stores. How do they get there? People on the move often don’t mind giving it away in exchange for cash or kind. Sometimes, as we’ve seen in recent news headlines, they get there illegally. One way or another, these gems from the past, so common in Goa, often do find new homes - the latest stop in a journey that often began a hundred or more years ago.

“Goan Catholics who return from abroad, and are building new houses, come searching for antique pieces.

Business is low because today’s youth are not as much interested in collecting antiques as their parents. Our customers are mostly from other parts of India who want to take back a piece of Portuguese Goa with them”, says Akhil Khan, who owns a shop called ‘Woodstyle’ at the Essar Trading Centre in Mapusa.

Folks who shift out of Goa often want to get rid of their furniture. There are also people who shift from their ancestral houses to urban settings and don’t want to take such large and heavy furniture; hence the barter system. They simple exchange the old for the new.

Items that are sold as scrap are bought

by ‘specialists’ in Indo-Portuguese and English furniture. The dealers follow a simple procedure of repair-restorereprise and sell them at soaring prices.

But furniture is not the only thing they deal in. “We also have old coins, notes, stamps, table-lamps and crockery”, says Rafik, owner of ‘Rafik Art House’ at ParraMapusa.

Suspected ‘anti-social’ activities at scrapyards have made headlines in recent times along with other scraprelated incidents. After demolition of scrapyards in Ponda, scrap dealers across Goa pleaded before the court, seeking assistance for relocation from residential areas to industrial estates. Last year, the Goa police apprehended some people from Colvale for stealing bike parts. It was later found that these people work for the yards. Interestingly, these antisocial characters were brought in from Karnataka and given fake ration cards.

“Stolen stuff won’t generally be sold in Goa. Rather, it is transported to different parts of India like Mumbai, Bihar and Delhi”, says Rafik, adding that it would be foolish for dealers to sell stolen items in Goa, simply because the state is too small to have a ‘chor bazaar’ (thieves’ bazaar, like the huge one in Mumbai which sells stuff from all over). He insists that he carefully vets clients who wish to sell antiques. “We make it a point to confirm that the item belongs to the client.”

There are standard procedures for scrap dealing. “When we are approached by clients,

we go visit their place and check the item. We then get a signed document to confirm the proof of sale and only then bring the goods to our showroom,” asserts Akhil Khan. Fifteen years into the business, he says that he studies his client thoroughly and does not engage in business with street vagabonds who could be involved in theft.

“If Goa is the source to find Portuguese furniture, Gujarat holds treasures of ancient Hindu customs and traditions.

Mumbai and Kolkata, which were strongholds of British rule, give us colonial masterpieces of interior designing,” says Naser Khan who, along with Akhil, looks after his scrapyard business in Mapusa. They also import antique items from the UK and China.

A single bed made of pure teakwood will cost you around Rs 15,000 whereas a double-sized bed will fetch nothing less than Rs 25,000. The dealers also have vintage armchairs and grandpa’s rocking chairs. Traditional sacred cabinets that house the statue of Mother Mary (fondly called ‘Saibinni’) can also be found.

Hotels and restaurants are regular buyers of antique items which are usually displayed at lobbies and rooms for the viewing pleasure of tourists (both domestic and international). Big old clocks, long mirrors and wardrobe drawers are among some of the popular purchases.

Akhil Khan concludes, “The lifespan of the modern wood furniture is not as much as the ancient pieces, but people don’t seem to mind that. They get tired of interiors soon and look for a change every now and then.”

Maybe that’s what will keep this business alive: People getting tired of the status quo and looking for something new. If your furniture is modern, something ‘new’ could mean purchasing an antique. 

“Granny, you’re my favourite antique”

Photographs by Ananda Krishna

Bartender Eugenia mixes it up at IANOS

More IANOS action

IANOS hosts GIM La Fiesta freshers party

Samannvita from Tortilla Entertainment celebrates birthday at Malts n Wines

Saturday Night at Malts n Wines