Issue No: 45

Friday, October 31, 2014 | Vol. No. 2 | Issue 45 | Price Rs. 10 | www.goastreets.com | G-2/RNP/Weekly/Goa-05/2013-15

Shripad Naik's 'Tourist Circuits'| Halloween Parties | Snake Charmer

The Truth About 'Special Status'

3

Friday, October 31, 2014

A Ghoulish Guide to Deathly Parti

es

By Sapna Shahani

W

hether it’s coffinthemed dessert at the Black Sheep Bistro in Panjim, glow-inthe-dark alien body painting at the West End night club in Saligao or a ghoulish after-party at Club Guru in Anjuna, Halloween, the fun American holiday export is finding its way into Goa ever so creatively.

That’s probably why this celebration gets more popular around the world every year… It’s a great excuse to get dressed up in a spooky costume and

have fun. In Goa, this Friday October 31, there are lots of Halloween parties, and each are celebrating the day (or night) of the deceased with their own creative twist.

Dress up as a ghoul, ghost or another suitably spooky character and you may win a prize at the Halloween Party at the Black Sheep Bistro in Panjim. The chic restaurant and lounge is organizing their first theme party with a special menu featuring creative, Halloween-inspired eats like ‘Herb Cheese Eyeballs’, ‘Roadkill’ and ‘Coffin Pie’.

Of course, the Bistro famed for its handcrafted cocktails has themed drinks planned as well, such as ‘Vampire’ shots served in syringes and the “Blood Clot”.

One of the most rocking Halloween

TURN TO PAGE 4

Oct 31

Nov 1 to No2

The Halloween Theme Dinner The Price for the Event is 1950+Taxes (2400 Inclusive of all taxes) which includes following.

Welcome at Capiz Bar Fire place.

Sparkling wine and pass around canape.

Five Course menu with Two white and Two Red wines at The Verandah.

After Party with DJ Peppy at Capiz Bar. At Capiz Bar/The Verandah, Grand Hyatt, Bambolim, Goa +91 832 301 1234

Marbela Masquerade Live Preformances and Fire Dancers At Marbela Beach Club, Morjim 8 pm onwards +91 9158881180/ +91 832 6450599

Silent Noise Party With DJs Husman, Sam & Azgar Find out which is true, the silence or the noise.

At Neptune Point, Palolem 8 pm to 4 am +91 9822584968

Every Monday

Every Sunday

Halloween Live Music With Elvis Lobo & Cliff De Souza At Guru Bar, North Anjuna 7.30 pm Onwards +91 9960956691 Happy Halloween 2014 Quench your Party Thrist at City’s Prenier Contemporary Restaurant + Lounge At Black sheep Bistro, Panjim 7 pm to 1 am +91 832 2222901 Halloween RePlugged CREATED BY David Emeliano Aguiar At Boomerang Colva Goa 5 pm onwards +91 9823914755 Halloween Party with Vincent Rydell, Jewlung, Vijay Arora, Leon Larce, Funksun At Cafe Lilliput, Anjuna 8 pm onwards +91 9822137767 Halloween Project DJs including Jay Naidu, Ryan Nogar, Amol Reon, Rahid, AK47 and Lester Isaac.

At Zoya Club, Opposite Maria Hall, Benaulim 7 pm onwards +91 9823159639

Nov 1 Halloween Party Featuring DJ’S Tania, Ryan, Aggie At Club Tito’s , Radisson Blu, Cavelossim Beach, South Goa +91 8390097909/ +91 9823499516 1st Pre - Gig Launch to Goa International Jazz Live Festival 2014 Jazz Funk & More At Live Lounge, Baywatch Resort, Colva 7. 30 pm Onwards +91 9323590051 Halloween Glow Party with k run, Nazxcia!m, Zhannet, Nika At Arena, Club Westend, Saligao 9 pm onwards +91 8888929079

Nov 2 Live Electro Festival For sound art and contemporary Electronic Music Featuring Senking, Feldermelder, Diatribes, Thomas Peter And More At Zoya Club, Benaulim 6 pm onwards +91 9920697163

LIVE MUSIC Wahida Carmen Gomes (vocals) Seafood dinner spread At The Fisherman’s Wharf, Cavelossim 7. 30 pm onwards +91 832 2871317 Karaoke Mondays Sabby At The Backyard, Sangolda 8 pm onwards +91 9158372533

Every Tuesday Extraordinary Nights With Emmanuel Antao At Gawin’s Restaurant, Varca 9 pm onwards +91 9822177179

Every Wednesday Karaoke Night With Ashley At Route 66, Panjim 8 pm to 11. 30 pm +91 9623922796 Every Thursday Thursday Sizzling Karaoke Nite With Saby Fernandez – May discover the hidden “Indian Idol” in you At Kudos, Chogm Road, Porvorim 7.30 pm onwards +91 832 6510565 Silent Disco With DJ Mr. R & Flakey Spinning EDM. Nothing ‘silent’ about this disco (unless you’re wearing headphones, that is).

At Alpha Bar, Palolem 9 pm onwards +91 9890281505 Every Friday Live Music Musica guru present always new musician in an around the world playing blues jazz to rook n roll At Guru Club, St Anthony prise north Anjuna 9 pm to midnight +91 9823383257 /9960956691 Reggae Friday

By Graeme Hamilton – for that chilled out vibe At Laguna, Anjuna @ 7.30 pm +91 832 227 4131 Every Saturday ‘Nacho’ dance night Hip hop house retro party At Guru Club, Anjuna 10 pm onwards +91 9960956691 Saturday Nite Jive With Alcatrazz At Cheenos, Baga Bridge, Baga +91 8806564991

LIVE MUSIC Aviv Pereira - one man band At HENDRIX, Anjuna 8 pm onwards +91 8007599945

On-going Cavala Every Wednesday: Cavala Acoustic Latin Retro Every Friday: Tidal Wave Every Saturday: Piano played by Bosco At Cavala, Calangute - Baga Road, Baga 8.30 pm onwards +91 832 2276090 Cantare There’s live music on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, but the big draw is the jazz duo Steve Sequeira and his wife Kittu on Monday nights, often accompanied by Brazilian chef and harmonica player Guto. The place fills up with locals (not many tourists), and its non-beach location nestled amid the Portuguese-inspired architecture of Saligao adds to the great vibe.

At Cantare, Saligao 8 pm onwards +91 832 2409461 The Park, Calangute Every Thursday: Retro Night Every Friday: Karaoke Night with KDJ Tony Every Saturday: Ladies Night with DJ Sunil and Tania At The Park, Calangute 8 pm onwards +91 8805028194 +91 832 2267600 Casinos in Goa Deltin Royale Casino At D.Bandodkar Road, Panjim +91 9820 616515 or email: groups@ deltin.com (If you’re based in Mumbai) +91 7875 024455 or email: groupbookings@deltin.com (If you’re based in Goa)

FROM PAGE 3

nights is sure to be had at the Guru Bar in Anjuna. Their Halloween party will feature live music from Elvis Lobo and Cliff De Souza, plus an after-party at Club Guru. The “Marbela Masquerade” will take place at Marbela Beach in Morjim and feature live performances and fire dancers. It’s taking place on Saturday, Nov. 1, rather than on Halloween itself – yet it’s still counts as one of the most happening Halloween bashes in Goa. For all those in the mood for scary pleasures of a more upscale nature, the place to head is the Halloween Theme Dinner happening at the Capiz Bar and The Verandah on the grounds of the Grand Hyatt Goa. It features a five-course meal and lots of very good wine, both white and red, the colour of blood!

Brendan De Gee (aka Zulumuru), a talented hair stylist who works in the film industry in Mumbai, decided to try his hand at design and give back to Goa, his home for the past three years. He has loaned some of his precious wigs and costumes to dress up scary mannequins, as well as used recycled carpets, mattresses and lots of other knick knacks to design five different theme areas.

“Some pieces are very gory. The main focus is on the dance floor, where we’ll have a diablo (devil in Spanish). We’re building a burial site at the entrance by digging holes and putting crosses.

There will also be a tall woman in a sari with an elfish looking face. It’s a pity it’s only for one night. Halloween should be celebrated every day,” Brendan says.

And besides decorations, planning has commenced on costumes as well, as lashes, glitter and wigs, are gathered.

Brendan himself will be dressed as a geisha and knows of others who will attend as zombies, apemen in capes or famous singers like Amy Winehouse, Dolly Parton or Cher. Music will be original and themed too, with prominent singer Joanne Fernandes lending her impromptu creative accompaniment to the spooky and dark selections of well-known DJ Axailles of Liquid Sky fame.

Fashion designer Miriam Strehlau is fond of costume parties and saw the Nine Bar Halloween art project as an opportunity to bring people together creatively. She collected recycled things lying around her house and managed to get plaster of paris moulds of teeth from her dentist, attached them to bed springs and voila, a spooky art installation was born. Miriam invites everyone to continue making creative artworks at Art Cafe Parra, which she runs. “I love collaborating with all kinds of artists. If someone said “Let’s stitch a massive teepee from all the waste materials from tailors around Goa, I would say a big yes,” she says.

Yet another kind of artist inspired by Halloween is professional makeup artist Pritam Lotlikar who can’t wait to demonstrate his brand new, imported body paints, at the Halloween themed GlowIn-The-Dark party at West End club in Saligao this Friday. Feeling stifled in Bollywood, he felt the need to expand his skills and wanted to explore effects makeup. He was thrilled when a Russian friend introduced him to body art. And another friend who runs an events company Annabelle urged him to jump right in by roping Pritam in to the body art-driven series of Glow-In-TheDark concept parties she plans to organize. “You can transform yourself with body art and it’s a lot of fun,” Pritam says elatedly.

It’s been about a year since he’s been doing body art and has been

Crown Casino At Bairo Alto Dos Pilotos, Jose Falcao Road, Behind Old Secretariat, Panjim For Group Booking Contact: Mr. Nimish Desai: +91 9158883464/ +91 832 6635878 nimish@crowncasino.in Deltin Jaqk Casino At Fisheries Jetty, Fisheries Dept.

Building, D. Bandodkar Road, Panaji Emai id: sales@deltin.comOther: info@ deltin.com Call: +91 77 987 40004, +91 88 0666 3673

You'd cry too if someone carved a face on your butt

Music & Nightlife 5

looking for the right kind of paints.

“I’ve learned that quality in makeup is most important, especially when you’re working with kids,” he explains.

Now that he found the right water-based paints from Netherlands that range from metallics to glow in the dark, Pritam is all set to create ‘bloody alien vampire’ personas on the first 20 people that arrive at the party. He says he also likes characters like those in the Avatar film, because “characters should be pleasantly scary.”

A party at the Tito’s club at the Radisson Blu hotel in Cavelossim also has face painting for those who fancy

themselves pirates for the night. And if you’re otherwise under-dressed, you can buy a Halloween themed mask, t-shirt, or cap, so that you don’t feel left out. Francis D’Sa of Win Events says his company has previously organised lots of Sao Joao and Carnaval events but is trying to introduce this new party concept. It seems to be working since they are already getting a good response with people inquiring from all over south Goa as well as Ponda and Panjim.

So don’t worry if that costume you bought online hasn’t arrived on time, you’ll be able to transform yourself into a handsome monster or pretty witch, with a little help from the party organisers this Halloween. And then enjoy your friends’ comments on Facebook for the rest of the year. 

6 music & nightlife | 4 Halloween in Goa

feature | 7 Streets Exclusive: Tourism Master Plan

food & drink | 8 Marriott's Simply Grills

cover story | 10-11 Goa for the Goans?

what's on | 12 Events in Goa

the corner | 13 The Park & Scarlett Rose

feature| 14 A Goan Snake Catcher

fashion | 15 Ethel Da Costa's Stiletto Diaries

arts & entertainment | 16 The Art of Savia Viegas

mind, body & soul | 18 Scaravelli-Inspired Yoga

Steven Gutkin, the venture’s chief mentor, is an awardwinning journalist who has reported from some two dozen countries in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and the Americas.

An international newsman for 25 years, Steven served as Bureau Chief with the Associated Press, the world’s largest news gathering organization, in Israel and Venezuela, as well as AP’s Chief of Southeast Asia Services in Singapore and Indonesia, and Senior Editor in the US. Steven covered the rise and fall of the Medellin and Cali cocaine cartels, rode into Kabul with a triumphant Northern Alliance and directed coverage of wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Gaza and Lebanon. The Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar was caught because he lingered on the phone with his son to answer Steven’s questions, and the cops traced the call. Steven covered the killing of Daniel Pearl in Pakistan, hurricanes in Puerto Rico and Mexico, the death of Yasser Arafat, a coup in Fiji and the rise to power of Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. He also led AP's coverage of the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Steven has also worked for the New York Times, the Washington Post, Newsweek and CBS Radio.

Marisha Dutt, Publisher and Editor of Goa Streets, is a former Marketing and Advertising Manager with The Wall Street Journal in Singapore. She took a break from work to raise her two boys in Indonesia, Israel and the United States.

She has a Masters Degree in Marketing from The University of Strathclyde in the UK and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Relations. She was born in Assam, India and spent her early years on a tea plantation overlooking a pristine wildlife sanctuary. When she was 10, she and her family moved to Calcutta, where Marisha had the privilege of working alongside Mother Teresa.

Later the family moved to Goa. Marisha and Steven were married 11 years ago on the Candolim beach.

Shubham Gupta aka Shubhs, Content and Marketing Coordinator, is a 22 year old guy from Gurgaon. Being a foodie, music lover, and an avid appreciator of art, Shubhs has been previously associated with Times of India, Dentsu Digital, Channel V and AIESEC. Hippie at heart, Shubham loves to trek & travel to exotic destinations. In his meantime, he enjoys international cinema, singing, strumming the guitar, writing poetry and reading. With his knack in creative writing and passion for photography, he manages both visual and written content along with marketing operations.

Radhika Naik, Marketing Executive. A Mapusa resident, Radhika enjoys siestas and, when awake, spending time with family. She was always a big fan of the news and is thrilled to be part of that world today. Music with a slow tempo is her favourite playlist.

Nilesh Shetgaonkar, Administrative Assistant, is a happy-go-lucky Morjim native who prides himself on living life to the fullest. He spent seven years in Dubai and loves football, cricket and trivia.

Krishna S. Halankar, An integral member of the distribution and collection team, Krishna enjoys music, driving and to everyone’s surprise likes to shake a leg, too. When asked about his favourite drive, he says nothing beats the good ol’ drive from Goa to Mumbai.

Vijay Gadekar, Distribution Team. Aside from being very handy in all things mechanical, Vijay is a big fan of football with an equal passion for quality beach time.

Feature 7

Friday, October 31, 2014

India’s Master Plan for TOURISM

By Crespo D’Souza

I

n a bid to boost tourism and bring in much needed money into the Indian economic ecosystem, the central government is setting aside money and other resources to capitalize on the potential of 21 tourist “circuits” and 9 tourism destinations.

While bits and pieces of this information have been reported piecemeal in other publications, Goa Streets is the first media outlet in India to put it all together in a single, comprehensive report.

Are you listening, adventurers, pilgrims, vagabonds, voyagers and other assorted excursionists? Are you paying attention, would-be investors in Narendra Modi’s booming future India?

A list drawn up by the Union Tourism Ministry, headed by none other than North Goa’s very own MP Shripad Naik, outlines the tourism spots the central government now plans to promote.

The “circuits” are defined as “a route on which at least three major tourist destinations are located such that none of these are in the same town, village or city.

At the same time they are not separated by a long distance.”

Without any further ado, here are some of the highlights of the list:  Promoting the “Churches of Goa” and turning the state into a “world-class international conventions centre.”  The “Buddhist circuit” - a series of pilgrimage sites located in Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, once the site of flourishing Buddhism. (More on this below).  The Tirupati Heritage Circuit and the Kadapa Heritage Circuit, in Andhra Pradesh.  The Jagdalpur-Tirathgarh-ChitrakoteBarsur-Dantewada Circuit in Chhattisgarh.  The Illumination of Monuments Circuit in Delhi.  The Dwarka-Nageshwar-Bet Dwarka Circuit in Gujarat.  The Panipat-Kurukshetra-Pinjore Circuit, plus the PanchkulaYamunanagar in Haryana.  The Paonta Sahib Circuit as well as the Eco and Adventure Circuit (KulluKatrain-Manali) of Himachal Pradesh.  The Spiritual Destination of LehLadakh in Jammu and Kashmir.  The Hampi Circuit in Karnataka.  The Muziris Heritage and Culture Circuit (Trissur and Ernakulam Districts) of Kerala.  The Vidarbha Heritage Circuit of Maharashtra.  The Bhubaneswar- Puri-Chilka Circuit in Odisha.  The Desert Circuit (Jodhpur-BikanerJaisalmer) in Rajasthan.

 The Pilgrimage Circuit (MaduraiRameswaram-Kanyakumari) in Tamil Nadu.  The Haridwar-Rishikesh-Muni Ki Reti Circuit in Uttarakhand.  The Agra Circuit.  The Varanasi-Sarnath-Ramnagar Circuit in Uttar Pradesh.  The Ganga Heritage River Cruise Circuit in West Bengal.

These circuits are an attempt to infuse new blood (and infrastructure) into the Indian tourism industry that has long relied on a sense of mystique surrounding the cultures of ancient India rather than any actual plan.

What does all this hold for us here in Goa? The “Churches of Goa Circuit” is part of what’s called the Integrated Development of Infrastructure for Heritage and Hinterland Tourism (Modi may want more red carpets and less red tape, but he apparently has little aversion to long policy titles).

In announcing the government’s plans for tourism promotion, Finance

Minister Arun Jaitley mentioned “the importance of Goa emerging as a major international convention centre as a destination for high-profile conventions and conferences.” There was a need, he said, to develop world-class convention facilities in the state. He said achieving this, as well as upgrading the state’s status as host of international film festivals, will be done through joint public-private investments.

This, of course, is not the first time a major convention centre has been proposed for Goa. But the idea never took off because the state government couldn’t finalize a site for the centre (will the Modi-Parrikar marriage of convenience solve this impasse?). No timeline has been set for the Church and Hinterland tourism circuit, and the same goes for many of the other 20 circuits.

One area where many specifics HAVE been offered, however, is the Buddhist Circuit. Of course it may seem somewhat counterintuitive that India’s Hindu nationalist BJP government has suddenly

decided to wring the nation’s Buddhist past for every paise it’s worth. But such is the pragmatism of those holding the reins of power today. Besides, there’s no “bikini and pub culture” in a temple.

Back in July, Naik released a strategy document titled ‘Investing in the Buddhist Circuit’. Coordinated by the Ministry of Tourism, the project is expected to cost ` 4.5 crore (45 million) and will be partly funded by the IFC (International Finance Corporation, an arm of the World Bank), which will contribute `180 lakh (40 per cent), with ` 225 lakh (50 per cent) coming from the Ministry of Tourism, and `22.5 lakh (5 per cent) each from the state governments of UP and Bihar. The Sarnath-Gaya-Varanasi Buddhist circuit would also be developed with excellent tourist amenities to attract tourists from all over the world, the ministry has promised.

The Buddhist Circuit is a globally important route for over 500 million Buddhists around the world, a kind of Eastern version of the Holy Land in Israel and the Palestinian territories. It follows the life of Buddha across Nepal and India, from Lumbini, where he was born, Bodh Gaya where he attained enlightenment, to Kushinagar, where he achieved salvation. Statistics indicate that the trail attracts only a small fraction of potential Buddhist tourists each year.

For the other projects that the Ministry is promoting around the country, the government is hoping to attract both domestic and international private investors.

In the union budget announced earlier this year, Jaitley announced an allocation of ` 500 crore (5 Billion) to develop just five circuits within the year 2014-15. The central government has also allocated `200 crore for a National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana, aimed at preserving the heritage of places such as Mathura, Amritsar, Gaya, Kanchipuram, Vellankani, and Ajmer. This is in addition to Rs. 100 crore allocated for the preservation of archeological sites.

Jaitley also proposed a National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD), to be started this fiscal, with an outlay of Rs. 100 crore to develop pilgrimage and spiritual sites. Most of these projects require the active participation of the local state government, which has to conceptualise the project while funding is arranged by the centre.

Of course, it would be nice if our bars, beaches and shacks here in Goa could receive the kind of resources now being devoted to “spiritual” tourism around India. But hey, we’ll take what we can get.

After all, they ARE the BJP.

8 Friday, October 31, 2014

Simple Living and High Tasting at Simply Grills

At the Goa Marriott Resort & Spa

By Shubham Gupta

A

breeze from where the Arabian Sea meets the River Mandovi gently caresses your skin and wafts through your hair. The sight of the river and the sea combines with the aroma of charcoal emanating from the grills.

This is a story about unwinding, taking in a magnificent view and dining poolside with a refreshing cocktail.

Spending an afternoon or evening at Simply Grills, the outdoor restaurant at the Goa Marriott Resort & Spa, is undoubtedly one of the finer pleasures offered anywhere in the Goan capital. If you haven’t experienced it yet, this is a good time to do so – with the weather cooling off and the season heating up.

Simply Grills puts you right on the banks of the Mandovi, and treats you to a memorable culinary experience. And now, the restaurant is offering a whole new menu and concept that’s unique in Goa. Instead of your typical à la carte menu, there’s now a series of wooden planks featuring delightful offerings that allow you to build your own savoury masterpiece. In addition to being scrumptious, it’s also a lot of fun.

You are given a choice of meat, seafood or vegetables spread out on a plank. After selecting the basic ingredient of your meal, you can choose from a number of preparations that suit your palate. These include the marinade, the seasoning, the dressing and the style of cooking (Grill/ Barbeque/Pan Fried). Having chosen the preparation, just sit back and wait for it to be put together by one of the finest chefs in Goa, and VOILA! Did you ever imagine that the recipe for a perfect date or lunch meeting, with exactly the kind of flavours and texture

your taste buds demand, could be so SIMPLE? With the launch of Simply Grills’ new menu, it is now! Traditionally continental, Simply Grills is now also emphasizing Goan and other Indian coastal cuisines in their latest makeover.

Honestly, being a barbeque freak myself, I wondered how all this would work and wanted to experiment. What if I wanted to pair a preparation primarily made for salmon with, say, pork chops?

Well, as I entered the restaurant walking by the pool where people were still enjoying a dip, I saw a couple of planks lined up right before the seating area with the ingredients. I made a mental note of what suited my fancy before I even took a seat.

For all you hydrophobics, let me warn you that you’ll be dining with a pool on one side and continuous splashes of tides hitting the rocks on the other. Of course for anyone who’s

NOT hydrophobic, it’s sheer delight. Not to forget the water that will rise in your mouth just thinking about the food here.

Turned out that two out of four dishes that I thought I’d have were Chef Nitin B.K.’s signature dishes. Having previously worked at the Cochin Marriott and hailing from Kerela, chef Nitin specializes in coastal preparations with a hint of continental flavours and plating.

“Being trained in Italian cuisine, I put strong emphasis on plating and visual aesthetics of the dish. They say that you eat with your eyes first so I strive to make the first glance delectable,” says Nitin. Trust me, the dishes did not just look good.

Some of my choices, including Prawns Peera, tiger prawns wrapped in subtle coconut and mustardbased ‘masala’, and Red Snapper in Polichathu, a preparation with a strongly flavoured roasted onion, tomato-based ‘masala’, went well beyond my expectations. Even though I was expecting the snapper to be wrapped in a banana leaf, I didn’t miss that at all as the flavours were rightly infused into the perfectly cooked snapper.

Another rocker, but a slightly lighter and healthier option, was the microgreen balsamic caviar salad with lettuce, tomato and basil.

The salad went well with the freshly baked bread served with coriander chilli paste, pineapple relish, and home-made barbeque sauce. Next up on the

table was the apple-smoked barbeque pork chops and mashed potatoes. It was cooked marvellously and tasted great.

The potatoes were also delicious, and I wish there would have been even more of them. And finally moving on to the dessert, chocolate terrine stuffed with berry compote served with cocoa soy, put my palate in just the right place after all the savoury offerings. It was a luscious conclusion. _______ • The Food: Grilled, Simply and Deliciously • The Service: It’s the Marriott. ‘Nuff said • The Ambience: Unless you have something against the Arabian Sea, the River Mandovi and a deepblue pool, you will be pleased • Something Special: Build your own meal with ingredients laid out on planks • The Cost: Not bad for a five-star.

Expect to pay around Rs 2,500 for a hearty meal for two (that’s without drinks).

• For reservations, call: (+91) 832 6656200, (+91) 832 2463333

Food & Drink 9

Friday, October 31, 2014

Every Wednesday Grand Goan Buffet For lunch and dinner. Each week’s menu is again different. Keeping tradition alive!

At The HQ, Vasco +91 7709003237

Every Sunday Sunday Brunches@ 899/head Burger Pizzas Beer Salads Cocktails Desserts House – Spirits Beverages At Cheenos, Baga 12 pm to 4 pm +91 8806564991 Bikini Brunch Sunday BBQ Brunch @ Rs. 950 ++ with unlimited drinks Enjoy Live Karaoke with Emmanuel At The Park, Calangute 12.30 pm to 4.30 pm +91 8805028194 Sunday Brunch This is one of the more interesting spots in town to have a meal. Under the supervision of Vandana Naik, a former top chef in New York City and easily one of Goa’s most notable culinary experts, there’s a wide variety of delights on offer, including pizzas, soups, salads, hummus and meat balls, plus an eclectic mix of Indian, Mediterranean and other world cuisines. That’s not to mention the desserts, another top draw here.

Noon to 4 pm At Cantina Bodega, Sunaparanta, Panjim. +91 832 2421315

Baga, Calangute & Around Go With the Flow Brazillian, Mediterranean, Fusion The restaurant has relocated to a new enchanting location on the Baga river bank, offering stunning views of the river, and sea beyond.

At Calangute, Baga +91 7507771556 Fiesta Beach Shack Dinner: Every night 6pm onwards except Tuesdays.

Lunch: on the weekends Friday, Saturday and Sunday 1pm onwards.

Fiesta Shack will remain closed on Tuesdays.

At Tito’s Road, Baga +91 9822104512 Golden Eye Restaurant Chinese, European, Indian This Family run Restaurant serves the Choicest Goan Delicious At Holiday Streets, Gauravaddo, Calangute 9 am to 3.30 pm & 6.30 pm to Midnight +91 832 2277309 Caravela Goan, Indian, Chinese and Continental The lawn of the Goan Heritage offers a wide variety of well-prepared food and cocktails.

At Hotel Goan Heritage, Calangute Noon to 2.30 pm & 7 pm to 11.30 pm +91 832 2276761/64

Casandre Goan, Indian, Chinese and European Set in an attractive old Goan house, this restaurant serves steaks, sizzlers and Goan seafood.

At Calangute Beach Road, Calangute 9 am to midnight +91 832 9453243/ +91 9890467062 Curry Leaf Chinese, European, Goan, North Indian and world cuisine.

A good place to grab a bite after hours.

At Hotel Calangute Towers, Calangute +91 832 6636000

Ciao Bella Restaurant Authentic Italian food The décor is charming and romantic, and the ambiance, relaxed and inviting.

At Assagao Badem Road, Assagao +91 832 2273065/ +91 9767557673 Coba Indian, Grills, Seafood It’s at a five-star hotel so how bad can it be At Double Tree by Hilton, Arpora 10 am to 11 pm +91 832 66556672

Danny’s Grill European, Goan, Mughlai, Oriental With a varied selection of dishes including tasty Tandoori kebabs.

At Hotel Riverside, Baga-Calangute 7.30 am to 11 pm +91 9767591368

A Reverie European, Asian One of the finer establishments in the state. Popular dishes are seared fillet steak tournedos, smoked Australian duck breast, insalata caprese, basil oil, baby bocconcini, smoked tuna, chicken liver pate.

At Holiday street, Calangute 7 pm to 12 am. +919823174927 /+919823505550

A Varanda Chinese, European, Goan, Italian, North Indian, Thai.

Check out the seafood platter, fish curry rice, chicken cafreal and beaf Xacutti.

7 am to 11 pm At Resort Marinha Dourada, Arpora +91 832 2276780/ 84

After Seven French, European Try the camembert soufflé, warm squid in balsamic vinegar and rum, steaks and lemon infused prawns At Gauravaddo, Calangute 12 pm to 11.30 pm +918322279757/+91 9226188288

Avalon Sunset Bar & Restaurent Goan, Indian, Chinese, Seafood & European Some popular orders like paneer pasanda, fish masala, chicken vindaloo, seafood pasta, seafood sizzlers.

At Anjuna Beach, Anjuna 8.30 am to midnight +91 9822586268

Anjuna & Around Guru Bar Chinese, European, Goan, Indian and Italian. Great food, great music, chilled out ambience. What more can you ask for At Praisevaddo, Anjuna 7.30 am to midnight +91 832 2273319 Frangipani Global Cuisine Start with the chicken satay- skewered chicken grilled in Chinese marinade.

At Sun Village, Fankwadi, Arpora 7.30 am to 10.30 pm +91 832 2279409/14 Biryani Palace Goan and North Indian Fare Take a wild guess what this place specializes in?

At Anjuna beach Road, Anjuna 11 am to midnight +918323257586 Blue Tao Italian & Seafood Organic Food Ever notice how many places these days are touting their ‘organic’ food?

We’ll take their word for it.

At Anjuna Beach Rd, Anjuna 9 am to 11 pm +918975061435

Alcove Restaurant & Bar Chinese, Goan, Italian, North Indian & Seafood Dine on chilled Avocado and prawn salad, or get stuffed with the prawn stuffed calamari.

At Ozrant Beach, Anjuna 8 am onwards +918322274491/2273349

Baba au Rhum A coffee shop with a twist A favourite among the foreign crowd, this popular eatery offers lots of tasty choices.

At Kudachwaddo, Arpora 8 am to 4 pm +919822078759

Candolim Caravela Chinese, European, Goan, Italian, North Indian, Thai A long-time favourite haunt among Goans and visitors alike At Vivanta Holiday, Sinquerim 7.30 am to 10.30 pm +91 832 6645858 Addah Indian & Barbeque Enjoy the sea view deck on the beach and the soft music of a live two-piece band, with appealing cuisine.

At The O Hotel, Candolim 7 pm to 10.30 pm +91 832 3047000/ 9/ +91 9890800073 Angaara Tandoori, Goan, North Indian & Seafood. With excellent Indian and Goan fare and a lot for vegetarians as well.

At Murrodwaddo, Candolim Beach Road, Candolim 9 am to 12.30 pm +91 832 6647601-4

Banyan Tree Thai An open air restaurant surrounded by lush green lawns At Vivanta Holiday Village, Sinquerim 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm & 7.30 pm 10.30 pm +918326645858 Casa Sea Shell Chinese, European, Indian, Seafood The European fare tastes excellent and is mostly made up of steaks At Vaddy, Candolim 7 am to 11 pm +91 832 2489131/ +91 832 2489555 Barbeque and Grill 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 Goan, Portuguese & Seafood A Goan specialty restaurant that was long the base of the renowned chef Rego.

At Vivanta Holiday Village, Sinquerim 7.30 pm to 10.30 pm +918326645858 Bob’s Inn Goan Something of a Goan institution, this place offers up some fine curry rice and other satisfying fare.

At Calangute-Candolim road, Candolim 11.30 am to 3.30 pm, 7 pm to 11 pm +91 832 2489402 Bon Appetite Chinese, European, Goan, Italian, North Indian, Thai Check out the crab in butter garlic sauce or the seafood platter Near Vivanta holiday village, Sinquerim 11 am to 11 pm +91 832 2479477

Panjim & Around Saffron Restaurant An Authentic Indian Cuisine Home Delivery and Take Away Available At Model Marine ii, Caranzalem 11 pm to 3.30 pm & 6.30 pm 11.30 pm +91 832 6523353/ +91 7755927408 Forrest Veg Food Court Continental, Chinese, Thai & Mexican Serves a wide range of fast food from different parts of India At Bhagwan Mahavir Bal Vihar, Panjim 11 am – 11 pm +91 832 6454353/9225903392 Goenchin Specialising in Chinese and Pan Asian cuisine At Mandovi apartment, Dr Dada Vaidya Road, Near Mahalaxmi Temple Noon to 3 pm, 7 pm to 11 pm +91 8322227614 TAO Asian Cuisine Asian Chinese Restaurant & Bar 12 pm. To 3 pm. & 7 pm. to 11 pm.

At Campal, Panaji 083222226262

Route 66 Smoke House n Grill From the owners of Tin Tin in Vagator, this joint offers up extremely well prepared American fare like burgers, pizza, steak and ribs.

At Fontainhas, opp. Patto Bridge, Panjim From 12 pm to 11.30 pm +91 9623922796/ +91 8805389714 Aunty Maria Coffee & Bites Available Fresh home-made breads, cakes, chocolates and cookies At Hotel Fidalgo, Panjim +91 832 2226291 Casabela A cosy place to chill out with family, this establishment in Porvorim has been around since the 70s and has good pizzas Off Chogm Rd, Porvorim 7 am to 11 pm. +91832241558 Mum’s Kitchen Goan. 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 George Bar and Restaurant Goan; Excellent local seafood Near Mary Immaculate Conception Church, Panjim 10 am to 3.30 pm, 6.30 pm to 10.30 pm +918322426820

Margao & Around Brews & Bakes Brewing Smiles & Baking Memories At Shop No: 250, Abade Faria Road, Comba, Margao +91 8308800080 brewsnbakes@live.com Café Mardi Gras Goan & North Indian, coffee & snacks.

Panfried Pomfret Recheado, Chicken Xacutti, Pork Vindaloo and Goan Fish Curry are some of the popular offerings.

At Holiday Inn Resort, Cavelossim All-day. +91 832 2871303 Café Tato All day pure vegetarian eatery. Menu offers puribhaji and lunch in Goan style At Apna Bazaar complex, Margao 7 am to 10 pm. +91 832 2736014

Canacona Ourem 88 French, Italian. The charming and intimate courtyard seating area adds to the experience of sampleing the delicious seasonally inspired bistro menu. Behind Rococo Pelton, Palolem +91 86 98 827679 Casa Fiesta Mexican. The menu is comprehensive, with Tacos, Enchiladas, Burritos, Fajitas and other Mexican dishes. Does it taste exactly the way Mexican food is supposed to taste? You be the judge 8.30 am to 11 pm At Palolem Beach Road, Goa +91 9823928548

10 Cover Story

Goa for the Goans?

The Truth About ‘Special Status’

Friday, October 31, 2014

12

Friday, October 31, 2014

Waterfalls in Goa Arvalam Waterfall With an altitude of 70 feet, it falls in a straight drop and is at its most glorious during the monsoons. The spectacle of the thunderous gush of water, with the mountainous terrain as background, is nothing short of stunning.

At Valpoi, North Goa Dudhsagar Waterfall Another amazing waterfall best seen in the monsoons. It’s Goa’s largest and highest waterfall, and well worth a visit.

At Mollem, South Goa Kesarval Waterfall Emerging from hard rocks and flanked by swaying betel palms, the spring is surrounded by fantastic tropical beauty. Also well worth visiting.

At Verna, South Goa Tamdi Surla Waterfall You have to make a quite a trek to get here, but once you do, you’ll be very happy. You pass through dense forest and a number of streams that make for a highly refreshing experience. Also in the area is the temple known as Tamdi Surla, made under the Kadamba style of architecture.

At Sanguem, South Goa

July to October White water river rafting River rafting is subject to availability of rapids and adequate water currents, and suitable weather conditions. There will be two trips, beginning at 10.30 am and 2.30 pm every day. The program is open to both adults and children above 10 years. White water rafting activities are carried out in accordance with internationally accepted norms.

The instructors are highly trained and the operations run with a ‘safety first’ policy. Each passenger will be provided with safety equipment like life jackets and paddles. reservations@goa-tourism.com.

Lifestyle & Fashion Cheshire Cat Jewellery Gallery This Gallery showcases jewellery, accessories and fashion, among other delights.

At Bairo Alto, Assagao 10 am to 7 pm +91 9822580898 Sacha’s Shop A little shop of resort wear, Prints and stationary, bags, jewellery, art books, handmade soaps, leather lampshades and wooden toys!

At Casa Mendes, Panjim 10 am to 8 pm +91 9823805897

Baba’s Furniture Store The store displays some of the most breathtaking delightful pieces available anywhere in Goa Open All the time Closed on Tuesday At Baba’s Wood Café, Panjim +91 99 23414098, (+91) 83 23256213 The Private Collection Features an eclectic collection of sophisticated women’s apparel, bespoke jewellery, colorful accessories, lifestyle, furniture, design pieces and more.

At Anavaddo, Candolim 10 am to 8 pm +91 832 2489033 Wendell Rodricks a stylish boutique featuring luxuriously comfortable fashion items by celebrated Goan designers Wendell Rodrick At Luis Gomes Garden, Campal, Panjim. +91 832 2234082 Maria Elena’s Wardrobe Elegant Ladies party wear and accessories Behind Fidalgo, Panjim +91 9049079769/ +91 7769043301 People Tree Its First Outlet in Goa, Creating and selling contemporary crafts and cool clothing.

At Anavaddo, Candolim 10 am to 8 pm +91 832 2489033

Nov 1 Opening Goa Chakra Museum The new museum showing various modes of ancient transport from carts to carriages to a fabulous vintage car will be inaugurated by Chief Minister of Goa Manohar Parrikar.

At H.No 498/1, Monddo Waddo, Benaulim, Goa @ 4 pm +91 8322772910

Oct 29 to Nov 2

Supermarkets in Goa

Beauty N Beast 2014 Organized by Fairytailz this 4 day, 5 night event attempts to take ordinary people from their everyday lives, match them with celebrities, and make them live their dream. +91 9822155805

Borkar SuperMarket At Lake Plaza Building, Margao +91 832 2743680/ 2743699

Oct 14 to Nov 5 Cotton of India Special Handloom, Handicraft & Jewellery Exhibition cum Sale At Shri Dev Bodges war Mandir, Mapusa 10 .30 to 9 pm +91 9663292148

Oct 17 to Dec 23 Camera Our City, OUR Angle An Exhibition of photography on culture & Heritage of Go Oct 17 - 26 2014 - Photo Submission Nov 6 - 9, 2014 - Public Place Exhibition Dec 19 -23 , 2014 - Gallery Exhibition +91 9370757910/ +91 9474990892 Nov 1 and 2 Growing plants and composting workshop “Ray’s Atelier Green Initiative, will hold a hands on class in Kitchen /Garden waste Management & Composting, Kitchen /Orchard/ Terrace Gardening, Soil enrichment and various methods of plant propagation by Ashok Dande,Taligao-Goa.” At Ray’s Atelier, 91, 2nd Ward (Gandaulim), Colva Salcete 10 am to 5 pm +91 9604212769 ray4art@rediffmail.com

Nov 2 to Nov 7

Lecture - Do nuclear power plant operations impact biodiversity, agriculture & health

By Dr. S. K. Apte, Director, Bio-Science Group, BARC, Mumbai At Conference hall, Goa University, Bambolim @ 12.15 pm +91 832 651 9048

Celebrity dance workshop

by Amardeep Natt, India’s Dancing Superstar, Ashutosh Pawar (Dance India Dance, season 4) in collaboration with D.I.D Supermom Cecille’s Academy of Performing Arts At the Don Bosco Oratory Hall, Panaji 10am to 1pm +91 8308699784 capadancestudio@gmail.com

Nov 7

Nov 8 and Nov 9

Nov 3

Kids Party Costumes optional Face Painting, Tattoos, Chocolate Fountain, Pizza, Themed Cupcakes At The Courtyard, Mamma Mia, Chicalim 5.30 pm to 8 pm +91 9730001412

The Ganga - Zuari Academy in association with the NIO Staff club will pay tribute joinly to the film maker rituparno ghosh by screening four of his top National Award winning films At Cardium, NIO Dona Paula From 4 pm to 6.30 pm +91 9822486204

Big G Big G has eight levels of exclusive shopping with a restaurant, supermarket and the best of brands of various items to boot.

At Margao, Salcete +91 832 2702995 Maple Leaf Supermarket Maple Leaf Supermarket is a selfservice grocery store offering a wide variety of food and household merchandise, organized into departments.

At Porvorim, Bardez +91 832 6454099 Ajay Supermarket At Morod Village Road, Mapusa +91 832 6520196 Magsons Supermarket Hopping off Shopping On At Caranzalem +91 832 2464704 At Porvorim +91 7507807004 Newton’s Supermarket At Major District Road, Candolim +91 832 2489056 Delfinos Supermarket Delfinos HyMart has something for everyone—the widest range of items manufactured locally, in the country and imported.

At Candolim. +91 832-2489972 / 73

Museums Goa Chitra With a collection of over 4,000 artefacts, Goa Chitra is an ethnographic museum that focuses on Goa’s traditional agrarian lifestyle and technology.

At Mondo Waddo, Benaulim 9 am to 5 pm +91 832 6570877 Email: goachitra@gmail.com Museum Of Christian Art Open all days of the week At the Convent of Santa Monica. You may pray if you wish to, else just soak in the ambience of peace.

At Old Goa From 9:30 am – 5 pm +91 832 2285299 Goa State Museum Has some 8,000 artifacts on display including carvings, paintings, manuscripts, rare coins and stone sculptures.

A museum shop is planned soon with the aim of popularizing Goan culture through museum objects.

At EDC Complex, Patto, Panjim 9.30 am to 5.30 pm +91 832 2438006 / +91 832 2437306

Goa Science Centre The Centre has a science park with interactive exhibits, 3D shows, galleries on oceanic science, explaining mysteries of the underwater world.

Experience science through fun. There are some interesting exhibits explaining scientific principles.

At Miramar 10 am to 6 pm +91 832 2463426 Xavier Centre of Historical Research See exhibitions of paintings, browse through rare books and attend symposiums with particular emphasis on contemporary cultural & social issues affecting Goa. At BB Borkar Road, Porvorim +91 832 2417772 Naval Aviation Museum Displaying a number of vintage aircraft and armaments used at different stages

by Naval Aviation dating back to the 1950`s and a vast number of memorabilia related to Naval Aviation history.

Near Bogmalo Beach 10 am to 5 pm +91 832 2538668 Archaeological Museum Check out the sculptures of Hindu gods and goddesses, antiques from the Hindu period and currencies leftover by the Portuguese.

At Old Goa 9 am to 5 pm +91 832 2285333 Monsoon Heritage Studio Treat yourself to some amazing collection of mirrored mosaic art and handpicked artifacts at this upscale studio by Yahel Chirinian.

At Mainath Batti, Arpora 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM +91 9822122771

Go Karting Track I Goa Karting Single and tandem go karts are available for Rs: 180 for ten laps or Rs 200 for ten laps tandem At Panjim - Margao Highway, Nuvem 4 pm to 10 pm +91 832 2757899/ +91 9850736334 Track II Goa Karting Single and tandem go karts are available for Rs: 180 for ten laps or Rs 200 for ten Laps tandem At Anjuna - Calangute Rd, Arpora 4 pm to 10 pm. +91 832 2914526

Water Park Splashdown Water park At Calangute - Anjuna Main Road, Anjuna +91 832 2273008/ +91 9637424023/024 www.splashdowngoa.com

'Dolls and Devils' pop up at the Bikini Brunch at The Park, Calangute

A

threat of cyclone Nilofar, a mild earthquake in South Goa, a wet day with the rain seemingly in no mood of relenting, a perfect recipe to spend your Sunday indoors, but a drive up to The Park in Calangute on 26th October 2014 changed all that and was enough to lift the gloom and raise one’s spirits.

Every Sunday, The Park has its very popular Bikini Brunch for its guests to party, dance to foot-tapping music and karaoke with drinks and delicious cuisine to tingle one’s taste buds. This Sunday was no different, the rain was not going to be a deterrent and the management was certainly not going to give the guests any reason to complain.

The General Manager of The Park, Mr Sourabh Khanna, and the rest of the staff had everything planned perfectly; drinks on ice, appetizers, and music and karaoke courtesy Mr. Emmanuel Antao who is a regular at The Park every Sunday. If Mr. Khanna had left any stone unturned to

A

make your weekend special, his lovely wife Manisha Khanna and their little girl made their presence felt by dancing to the music and welcoming and mingling with the guests ensuring that everybody had a perfect day and for a moment the spattering rain on the outside was no longer going to be a distraction.

The Park regularly organises pop-ups on Sundays, and the star attraction for this particular day was the “Dolls and Devils” store owned

by Sunaina Misra, a young, yet now proud owner of the Dolls and Devil label that was started by her grandmother, passed on to her mum and now run

by Sunaina herself, an eighteen-yearold brand spanning

three generations. The store was like a magnet attracting little, yet fashion-conscious, kids to the clothes, fashion accessories and other goodies up for sale.

Sunaina’s store can be found in Anjuna on other days, and going by the response from the guests business is going to pick up.

If all of the above was not entertainment enough, then the food courtesy Chef, Kapil Muchandi, would surely bowl you over. Pastas, fresh salads, grills, the thincrusted pizzas with the prawn balchao pizza deserving a special mention, and the delicious buffet and desserts lined up were enough to make sure the day was complete. The smiles, contented faces of the guests and the expression of the kids certainly told a story. Speaking from experience, all in all it was a great afternoon, and as we wound up the day with spots of rain hitting our faces we promised ourselves that we would turn up at The Park again another Sunday and we could do this all over again!!!

Goan model wins Splitsvilla 7

ctor Mayank Gandhi and Goabased bikini model Scarlett Rose have emerged as the winning couple of dating show Splitsvilla 7, beating Abhishek Malik and Khushi Bhatt in the finale.

Mayank, 30, who was known for his open display of affection for cocontestant Rashi Sharma on the show, says the win would have made him happier if he had his lady love by his side.

"It feels good to have won a big show like Splitsvilla but the win would have been sweeter had Rashi been with me in the finals. I wanted to win with her. Nevertheless, my aim was to beat Abhishek Malik and in that respect this win is special and amazing," Mayank said.

He was left with three female contestants to

choose from to go in the finals, after Abhishek eliminated Rashi and though Mayank did not share a warm relationship with Scarlett, he chose her as his partner.

When asked why he selected Scarlett, Mayank said, "Scarlett was friends with all in the house so I knew she had a huge vote bank and to compete in the finals, we needed votes. If I would have thought about bonding, I would have chosen Priyanka but my goal was to defeat Abhishek hence I went for the girl with maximum support."

Scarlett, 22, says the win has been a miracle for her as she never expected Mayank would choose her.

"I was stunned when Mayank called my name to be his partner because we never got along. I had the option to say no but then I thought that I supported Abhishek on the show and he has come to the finals, then why should I not think about myself. It was the most important decision of the game," Scarlett said.

The winners say the show, which is the adaptation of American reality show Flavor Of Love, has increased their popularity and helped them bag some good projects.

While Scarlett is seen on another MTV show Fannah, Mayank will be seen participating in reality show Box Cricket League.

14 Feature

The life and times of a Goan snake catcher

Julio Quadros - the snake catcher

By Dr. Charlane Pereira e Rebello

Julio Quadros was bitten by a Russel’s Viper as a 7-year-old and then feared snakes. That, of course, was a very long time ago.

Today, at 43, he is a snake catcher who has handled the deadly King Cobra in Netravali and rescued many animals. Dr. Charlane Pereira e Rebello catches up with Julio in an tête-àtête about his passion for snakes and other creatures on earth…

A

s I met the khaki-clad Julio for a scheduled interview on an October evening, I came face-to-face with the animal lover. A man who has overcome his fears; a man moved by passion; a man driven by determination…

Guided by his philosophy of conserving the environment, Julio says, “I believe in respecting nature and giving my best to nature. That’s when nature will respect humans.”

Working as an animal attendant in Margao, South Division of the Goa Forest Department, Julio has handled King Cobra, Spectacled Cobra, Russell’s Viper, Saw-scaled Viper, Common Krait, Rat Snake, Fostern’s Cat Snake, Wolf Snake, Green Vine Snake, Python and rescued animals such as pangolin, crocodile, leopard, monkey and many more.

From 2005 to 2011, Julio covered areas from Netravali to Vasco, Cabo de Rama to Borim-Ponda. Currently, he focuses on the areas of Cuncolim

to Vasco, Borim to Paroda.

Back in 2005, he handled 5 to 6 calls in a month. Gradually, the calls increased to 10 – 12 in a day. More recently, he’s begun regularizing his work hours from 9.45 am to 5.45 pm, and has settled into handling about 5 or 6 calls a day.

Julio smiles, “Some of the calls are fake calls.

People spot the tail portion of a lizard and assume it’s a snake. At other times, it is a harmless garden snake.”

“We educate the people when we catch a snake. Snakes keep a check on the rodent population and maintain the balance of the ecosystem,” elucidates Julio.

He recalls, “I was bitten by Russell’s Viper when I was 7 years old. I was going for the veneration of Our Lady along with my friends. As the wound was not healing, I was hospitalized for about 3 months.”

As a child, Julio loved animals; however, the traumatic experience of a snake-bite instilled a fear for these slithery reptiles. But he was able to overcome it, and his interest in snakes grew. Sainath Shirodkar from Forest Department, Campal Branch taught Julio the basics of handling snakes.

Julio explains the method of handling the most feared reptiles, “We handle the non-venomous snakes with our bare hands. However, venomous snakes require the use of grab stick or hook stick. The snakes are eased into a bag after which they are released in

the wild.”

“Whenever we get a call, we calm the person. We also try to ascertain whether it’s a venomous or nonvenomous snake, and its whereabouts - inside or outside the house. At the same time, we request the person to keep a watch on the snake,” adds Julio.

Julio enlightens me about the different snakes found commonly in Goa. “Rat Snake, Sand Boa, Checkered Keelback, Russell’s Viper, Cobra, Python, King Cobra, Bamboo Pit Viper, Hump-Nosed Pit Viper….”

Julio says, “Most people think that snakes take revenge. Or one has to give milk to snakes. But, these are myths about snakes.”

A fan of the National Geographic Channel, Animal Planet and Discovery Channel, Julio admires the late Steve Irwin, the famous Australian wildlife expert and conservationist who was killed in 2006 after being stabbed in the chest by a stingray barb.

Julio says, “People are taken aback when I introduce myself as a snake catcher. The next question is posed with increasing curiosity ‘How did you get into this line?’”

An enthusiastic Julio shares his views about educating the public.

He avers, “There is a need for more awareness programmes to be organized for the public at large.

People should be made aware about the illegal trade of poaching.”

Having been awarded the State Award for Government Servant/ Civilian for an act of bravery rendering out of routine service in 2011, Julio shares his views about the limited involvement of today’s youth in saving wildlife.

Talking about his challenges, Julio says, “At times, I have to answer calls when I am out with my family. So, I always carry my kit with me even on Sundays. There are times when all of us have ended up at the site.”

“My 8-year-old son Zion knows to identify snakes. My daughter Zara is a little scared though she is interested in this field,” comments Julio.

Though Julio has been bitten 4 times by non-venomous snakes, his passion is palpable. On a concluding note, Julio says, “Snakes are human’s friends. Animals play a vital role in our environment. We should not kill animals. We need to protect and conserve our wildlife.”

Fashion 15

Friday, October 31, 2014

By Ethel Da Costa

My boots are made for walking. That’s just what they’ll do. Depending upon the mood of the day, they could be an accessory, a weapon or a tease, says Goa’s Fashion and Lifestyle writer ETHEL DA COSTA, who believes the more shoes a woman owns, the more dangerous it is to cross her.

M

y green tea, for the seventh time, has run cold. The feisty kitten Ms Kikki has ambushed the household, marking her turf like a pro, fiercely defending her litter box and bringing the kitchen to a standstill when feeding time arrives.

Ms Kikki watches me, learning my moods, as she purrs next to my laptop, fighting hard to catch my attention, then giving up to cuddle near the heat vent, claws dug into the keyboard. As I prowl the internet at 2am catching up with world fashion trends springing up with eccentric couture and ramp dare-devilry, closer home friendin-design Hema Nagvenkar burns the midnight oil stressing between sundry tantrums and genius that comes as a package deal with fashion. Ms Kikki purrs in a dream, as if instinctively tapping to the play of cat fights in my head… I believe it takes one kitty to know another (said with a cat-whoate-the-mouse smile lurking on my lips).

One man who I suspect secretly loves

cat fights is one of my favourites, the 37-year-old Chilean born, London raised, New York-based artist and designer Sebastian Errazuriz, who took art classes in Washington DC, film courses in Edinburgh, and obtained a design degree in Santiago. If all this globe trotting wasn’t heady enough, Sebastian, a prodigious and obsessive workaholic who received the title of `Chilean Designer of the Year’ in 2010, added envious notoriety to his illustrious feathered cap by designing an entire almost poetic shoe collection – yes, all 12 of them my darlings – based on the exploits of his past ex-girlfriends.

Exploring the question of love and sex through the memory of 12 previous relationships, reflecting on the re-collection of his personal and sexual stories with former lovers, each of whom became the influence for a series of his 12 shoe sculptures. I smirked till dawn, as I read how each day he released one image per day of a new heeled design, completed by an accompanying photo of the footwear’s naked muse and a small, explicit story about the duo’s sexcapades together.

If it had the exgirlfriends frothing at the mouth, I would not be surprised. Quirky Sebastian nicknamed each shoe according to each lover’s distinctive idiosyncrasies, peculiarities, and character traits, the women and their narrative materializing through each wearable shoe’s varying aesthetics, defining each lover’s design…Each shoe story, lip smacking candid with personal photographs in the nude. My heart rate thumped a couple of beats louder. A controversial artist or designer makes for great headlines.

Another cup of hot green tea with a dash of honey, lemon and brandy to accompany my voyeuristic glee, Sebastian amused me with the public

display of his tell-all how-he-played `footsie’ with his muses. The 12 shoe narrative collection kicked up a storm: Shoe No 1 `Honey’ Natasha (the girl who baked him cookies while nursing his broken leg, he dumped her for being too nice); Shoe No 2 `Cry Baby’ Alexandra (the masochist girl on rebound who cried over the last boyfriend while making out, albeit several times); Shoe No 3 `Gold Digger’ Alison (the gorgeous TV journalist who wanted a holiday in Brazil Sebastian couldn’t afford.

She dumped him); Shoe No 4 `Heart Breaker’ Laura (with one fake, one real boob); Shoe No 5 ‘Ice Queen’ Sophie (the close-to-frigid tall model girlfriend who was no fun in the sack); Shoe No 6 `Hot B’ Caroline (a cheating bombshell in a miniscule dress, attention seeking tease); Shoe No 7 `The Virgin’ Anna (who gave up on sex to become a nun); Shoe No 8 `The Jet Setter’ Jessica (of the high living, high flying, all talk flake); Shoe No 9

`The Boss’ Rachel (hardcore feminist, power-tripping, role playing); Shoe No 10 `GI Jane’ Barbara (daughter of a Colonel with an over zealous father who went commando); Shoe No 11 `The Ghost’ Valentina (a local girl at a small seaside town, beautiful, wild, weird, lost, free spirited who disappeared); Shoe No 12 `The Rock’ Alice (the girl he fell in love with, he will always love, but who got away)…

Need I say Sebastian was a sell-out tabloid rage. Did his exgirlfriends hunt him down? Intrigued by such a ballsy shoe statement, I immediately shot Sebastian an email letter marveling at his creative genius and cheeky story telling. He replied the very next day… a creative, artistic, straight man who gave back shoe for boot. He had loved creating every bit of his shoe-saga and had settled his scores, once and for all.

Meanwhile, Ms Kikki by now has laid claim to a corner of my walk-in closet lined with my shoes. It’s almost work time. With alarm I watch as Ms Kikki daintily steps on each shoe as if tempting a shriek out of my throat. This is sacred space, yeah, she knows that.

And nobody toys on hallowed ground.

We lock eyes, stare hard at each other...

An old line pops in my head. I transmit it via telepathy `Thou shall not bite the hand that feeds you.’ Message received, loud and clear, Ms Kitty breaks gaze, curves her tail and walks straight to her food bowl. It does not hold good stead to mess with she who brings the bread and butter home. You see, a cat with a shoe fetish learns quick.

The same way we women (err.. some of the smart ones) understand that a man is like a cat too; chase him and he will run – sit still and ignore him and he’ll come purring at your feet. I’m betting Sebastian is a cat man, who likes his milk and mice. Did his tell-all get him a new girlfriend? Should ask him next email. Meantime, wear your happy feet people. Be nice to each other

Ethel Da Costa: Is a Goa-based award-winning Fashion, Lifestyle, Music writer-journalist, Radio Head, Creative Entrepreneur, Media and PR Consultant, Stylist, commentator and columnist of all things political and socially incorrect. She’s worked with Femina, The Times of India, Radio Mirchi 98.3FM, the International Film Festival of India, OHerald Publications among others. Founder, Creator of Think Geek Media Entertainment (a label for Music, Fashion, Lifestyle, Media), she is passionate about music, fashion and travel.

Email: etheldacosta@gmail.com Website: http://about.me/etheldacosta

16

Friday, October 31, 2014

In Conversation With Artist Savia Viegas

By Bina Datwani

I

f you’ve roamed the shacks and beach beds of the Goan coastal belt in recent years, you may have come across a delightful little novella titled “Tales from the Attic” – a detailed reflection of a typical local village with its joys and woes in modern times. The book by Savia Viegas turned out to be something of a hit among the beach crowds after it came out in 2007. Savia grew up in what she describes as a “dark” era in Goa – the 1960s when there was a mass exit of people who preferred to work overseas. The desire to write, she says, grew out of a need to express “the heaviness of loss”.

Savia’s artistic style – be it as a painter or writer (minus any formal training) - is cross-genre, with both acrylics and words used to weave

similar stories. Within the canvas is a form that at first glance might appear simplistic, but scratch the surface and you’ll find a deeper meaning - that of the challenges faced by all those who wish to express themselves in non-conforming ways. One of her top inspirations was her mother’s embroidery classes, where the infusion of colours and sewing styles helped develop her visual sensibilities. “There were orders to make traditional pillow covers with the words ‘Love You Forever’ and ‘You Are Mine’ stitched in!”

Her recently concluded exhibition unveiled at the Sunaparanta Gallery titled ‘Mementoes’ was a vibrant series of paintings based on personal memories, offering glimpses of local histories, social issues and political conflicts. Mercifully, these were

Arts&Entertainment 17

Friday, October 31, 2014

October 31 Friday Nights Chhote Rahimat Khan (Sitar)/ Nishikant Barodekar (Tabla) Emam (Precussion) Goa World Music and Dance Project presents: An Evening of Indian Classical & World Fusion Music At Art Chamber, Calangute 8 pm onwards +91 98232 17435

Oct 27 to Oct 31 Natya Utsav - Multi-lingual theatre festival This Multi-lingual theatre festival is organized by the Department of Art & Culture, in collaboration with Kala Academy.

Various groups from all over India such as Delhi, Gujarat, Bengal, etc., will present plays in their respective language.

At Kala Academy, Panaji +91 832 2404600

Oct 31 to Nov 22 ART EXHIBITION - Entwined Beauty by Rajesh Salgaonkar “Entwined Beauty” an exhibition of recent paintings by Rajesh Salgaonkar At Carpe Diem Art & Learning Centre – Majorda 7.30 pm +91 88888 62462

Nov 1 to Nov 2 Hema - Art & Fashion Company Presents Goa Couture Fashion Week 2014 At Tito’s Courtyard, Baga 7 pm onwards +91 9822765002/ +91 9923586659

Galleries of Note Off The Wall Daily Art Exhibitions At Fort Aguada Road, Sinquerim 10.30 am to 11.30 pm +91 9820083497 +91 9823289123 San Thome Museum A well-presented display of old machines and artefacts demonstrating techical evolution.

At Varca 9 am to 8 pm +91 9822363917/ +91 832 2771000 Panjim Art Gallery Get a dose of local culture: figurative work

by Goan artists.

Near Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, Panjim 9 am – 8 pm +91 9822168703 Casa Araujo Alvares A 250-year-old mansion showcases our heritage in Goa’s first automated sound & light museum.

Entry Fees Charged Rs.50 At Big Foot, Loutolim 9 am – 6 pm +91 832 2777034 Email: bigfoottrust@gmail.com

Mario Art Gallery Original paintings and other memorabilia of the great Goan artist/cartoonist Mario Miranda.

Buy “The Life of Mario”, as well as prints, mounted prints, frames, tiles, mugs, card sets and other books.

At ‘Houses of Goa’, Salvador-doMundo, Porvorim area 9 am to 5.30 pm +91 832 2410711 Gallery Gitanjali An elegant art gallery in Panjim’s Latin Quarter; worth popping in when you’re in the area.

At Fontainhas, Panjim 9 am to 9 pm +91 9823572035 Moksa Art Gallery Salvador’s paintings. Salvadoran Fernandez, that is, and others.

At Naik Waddo, Calangute 9.30 am to 8.30 pm +91 832 2281121/ +91 9326717386 Gallery Attic More local talent on display: paintings by Goan Artists.

Opposite Don Bosco, Panjim 9 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 7 pm +91 832 2420929/+91 2257931 Art Chamber - Galleria de Belas Artes Featuring works by Goan artist Yolanda Dsouza and others. Whilst you’re there, check out their programme of musical performances.

At Gaura Vaddo, Calangute 10 am to 1 pm & 4 pm to 8 pm +91 832 2277144/ +91 9823217435 Sunaparanta- Goa Centre for the Arts The centre houses several exhibition galleries, a large multi-functional space for workshops and lectures, an in-house film club, sketch club, open air amphitheatre, pottery studio and an open courtyard that houses the al fresco café, Bodega. Open to the public with highly recommended grub.

Try the salted caramel cake and carrot salad; brunch on Sundays.

At Altinho, Panjim 10 am to 6 pm. +91 832 2421311 Gallery Esperance Go back in time: Retrospective of art in Oils, Watercolors, Crayons Portraits, Landscape and Still Life Photographs.

Near the Our Lady of Merces Church, Merces From 9 am to 6 pm +91 9545536437 Arte Douro Art Gallery Even if you aren’t into serious art, check out these paintings on canvas - originals and prints, international and local.

AtPorba Vaddo, Calangute 9 am to 9 pm +91 832 22882266/ +91 9822147148

not stereotypical images; instead they offered a unique dimension on the eccentricities of Goa. For example the painting titled ‘Goan Dreaming’ (my personal favourite), tells of the dreams of migration-prone Goans. Vividly striking and suffused with shades of blue and white that appear wholly Goan, this artwork has a quilt with graffiti scribbled in some of the patches which words like ‘Goa to Portugal’ and ‘Portuguese Passport’. In the canvas named ‘Girl Child Saga 1’, Savia “symbolically recalls Goa’s multiple faith histories” – Islam, Catholicism and Hinduism. And the Saxtti Chronicles, a series of six works, depict Goa’s history from the 1960s – for example the rise of tiatr and the birth of tourist taxis.

This artist’s style bears testimony to her insight and empathetic nature.

She currently manages a pre-primary school (Saxtti Kids) in the backyard of her ancestral home (where she was born) in Carmona because she believes “people and houses have roles to play and I wanted to help rear a thinking generation”. Hailing from an old Zonkar lineage, Savia spent over two decades in Bombay, where she donned many hats – teacher, writer, researcher and art historian. In fact the last job played a major role in her art form as explained

by Mumbai University’s sociologist Gita Chadha: “Savia’s work is surely

influenced by her academic training in Ancient Indian culture. The layered canvas … doing away with perspective yet creating depth… the simultaneous use of the symbolic and the figurative clearly reflect a hybrid.”

Her tryst with paints began with a chipped cement board that she picked up on impulse from the family home to use as a painting surface as opposed to a regular canvas because “I felt that this board had been part of the house for so many years and came with a story of its own; it held more meaning for me”. A Fulbright Scholar in the U.S. in 2003-4, Savia feels that this time abroad helped get her creative juices flowing. But it is her experience among the slums of Dharavi in Bombay that had the most profound effect. “The collisions and power struggles within this environment taught me more than any university degree could; it sensitizes you to real life”.

Upon finishing my second cup of green tea, the freakish October rain thankfully slows to a gentle drizzle. And although one is reluctant to leave the wonderful setting of the Sunaparanta café, I sense that Savia is eager to wrap up her paintings and begin the long drive home. I throw in a final question: do you see yourself as a painter or a writer?’

“I’m a narrator” she promptly replies.

Good answer. 

18 Mind, Body & Soul

‘Yoga must not be practised to control the body: it is the opposite, it must bring freedom to the body, all the freedom it needs.’

– Vanda Scaravelli

The Scaravelli-inspired approach to yoga is unique and revolutionary. It’s not about getting into a particular pose or posture.

It IS about undoing and letting go. The Scaravelli approach is an intelligent and subtle way of working with the body – without pain, punishment, aggression or even a determined will. This unique brand of yoga is now being practiced and taught in our very own Goa at the Shala 142 centre in Assagao. Next week one of Scaravelli-inspired yoga’s leading practitioners – the legendary Diane Long – will be in Goa to lead workshops. Below, Nancy Mendonsa, who heads up Shala 142, tells us about Scaravelli yoga and how it has changed her life.

By Nancy Mendonsa

W

hat is Scaravelli inspired Yoga? It’s a feeling Yoga, not a doing Yoga... That’s the first thought that comes to mind.

I was introduced to this practice by my teacher Rupert Johnson, and it changed my life. It inspired me to open Shala 142, so I could share my experience with others.

It’s more about preparing the body to move into the posture rather than the posture itself. It’s about enquiry, awareness and using body intelligence rather than the mind. It’s about letting go and undoing rather than following a sequence or a series of movements. It’s working from the inside out. It’s about connecting and allowing rather than pushing and pulling.

It’s about getting to know yourself better on all levels - physical, mental and emotional. It changes perception, and gives you endless possibilities for growth. It’s not about right or wrong.

It’s not about the teacher or Guru, rather it teaches you to be your own Guru, to own your practice and to allow your body to show you its intelligence - something we have forgotten.

All it requires is presence, patience and being in the moment with awareness.

It’s subtle but intense. These are qualities we all have, hence it’s for all age groups, all body types and all levels of fitness.

There’s something in it for everybody. It’s a reminder of what you already know but have perhaps forgotten. You will be surprised at the possibilities once you tune in.

It’s based on the principles of gravity, spine and breath. Once you find the ground and stabilise, you find a lightness in the body to fly.

The lady responsible for this approach, Vanda Scaravelli, came into yoga in her late 40s. She learnt from the late BKS Iyengar, but later moved into her own practice. Through her own exploration she became aware of the simple principles of gravity, spine and breath.

She found that if you could find the ground/gravity, use it as your base and rest in it, then the body will stabilise. The spine then frees itself and elongates and you experience a certain lightness, you begin to feel a wave in the spine which then allows movement. The breath brings about change.

She never commercialised her practice, only shared her experiences with students one on one. One of her first students is Diane Long, who studied with Vanda for 23 years.

I am happy and honoured to have the legendary Diane Long teach at Shala 142, from the 8th to the 12 of November. This is a fabulous opportunity to deepen your practice, and to experience this amazing process.

We also have another workshop by Paddy McGrath, a long-time student of Diane and a teacher par excellence. She will be doing a workshop on backbends.

It’s a great workshop to break all your inhibitions and fears and limitations.

More information is available on Shala 142 Facebook page (https://www. facebook.com/shalaonefourtwo).

Vanda Scaravelli wrote a book much later in her life, called Awakening The Spine, where she shares her experience.

She writes, “Yoga cannot be organised, must not be organised. It is a living process that changes moment to moment.”

“The way to do yoga is for it to be relaxing, without the slightest effort.

Going with the wave, with the movement, with the breathe, without strain, from an ‘intelligent heart’”.

Thank you Vanda!

Shala 142 is also open for workshops, retreats, breath and energy work, healing and sharing other holistic experiences.

We also have a women’s circle in season.

I invite you to come and share your experiences with us.

Contact Nancy at 9821138131.