Volume 2
Issue 3
March 2023
Viola Rodrigues:
A Woman With Artistic Vision
A woman achiever, Viola Rodrigues has over the past 12 years undertaken countless art projects and has established herself as the ‘numero uno’ artist of Goa
Priyanka Kudtarkar
A software developer turned travel influencer
jade d’sa
Popularly known as ‘That Goan Girl’, Jade D’sa is one of the most followed food and travel bloggers in Goa
Tanvi Bharne
A lawyer who doubles up in her free time as a content creator
Shruti arabekar
Fashion and lifestyle influencer
Welcome to the March issue of our Being Goan e-magazine. This month, on the cover, we have featured Viola Rodrigues, one of the finest artists in Goa. Viola, who runs an art gallery called Vola Art Escape in Candolim, has been in the field of art for more than 12 years now. Over the past 12 years, Viola and her team at Vola Art Escape have undertaken several art-related projects for several high-profile clients all across Goa, India, and overseas. The quality of the work done by Viola as well as the on-time delivery of projects to clients has led to Viola becoming known as the ‘numero uno’ artist in Goa. Check out the feature inside to know more about this amazing woman entrepreneur.
The 8th of March is observed globally as International Women's Day every year. The day is observed to pay tribute to the role that women play in our lives and society. It is also a day dedicated to highlighting the various challenges and struggles faced by women in their day-today lives.
The United Nations began celebrating International Women's Day in 1975. In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly invited member states to proclaim March 8 as an official UN holiday for women's rights and world peace.
It has since been commemorated annually by the UN and much of the world, with each year's observance centred on a particular theme or issue within women's rights. The UN theme for this year's International Women's Day is “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender
Women have come a long way in terms of their social, economic, and political status over the past few decades. However, despite significant progress, women still face numerous challenges in society, both in India and overseas.
In Goa, women face several issues that impede their progress and limit their potential. One of the significant issues faced by women in Goa is violence against them. Domestic violence, sexual harassment, and rape are prevalent in the state, with many women falling victim to these heinous crimes.
Women's problems are not unique to Goa; they are faced by women worldwide. In many countries, women's rights are still not fully recognized. The gender pay gap is a global issue, with women earning significantly less than men in many industries.
It is essential to address all these iissues and work towards creating a more equitable and just society for women. This can be achieved through policy changes, increased awareness, and active efforts to empower women and promote gender equality.
Well, that's all I have for you dear readers from my desk this month. I hope you enjoy reading this month's issue of our e-magazine. Do share it with your friends all across the globe.
Until next month, cheers!
Jessyl Fernandez Editor
01 Viola Rodrigues
02 Priyanka Kudtarkar
03 Shruthi Arabekar
04 Jade D'Sa
05 Tanvi Bharne
06 Beneath The Smile of a Woman
Introduction
Goa, the tiniest state on the western coast of India, boasts golden pristine beaches, palmfringed avenues, flavourful food, delicious Portuguese-influenced sweets, and warm, hospitable people. Also known as the Ibiza of India for its partying. A tropical paradise of flora and fauna, from the very famous 'almi' (mushrooms) endemic to its forests, that grow only on the red mud anthills, to the solar prawns that are fished immediately after the monsoons, Goa is unique. Tourists are also attracted to Goa for its cultural heritage - from the famous old Portuguese churches like Se Cathedral in Old Goa, the 16th Century Safa Masjid in Ponda and Shree Mangesha Temple in Mardol, the legendary Arvalem or Pandava Caves where the Pandavas of the Mahabharat fame lived, to its two unique festivals - Carnival and Shigmo. Goa plays host to many festivals - the International Film Festival of India that promotes cinema, the Serendipity Art Festival, Sunburn Music Festival, The Grape Escapade to name a few. To showcase this varied heritage of culture, art, tradition, food, and people, in 2015 ItsGoa was born. The main aim was to make it the premier portal for all things Goa. We were able to showcase Goa like never before. Soon our blog-based website transcended the virtual space, with the ItsGoa magazine – a sought-after resource for visitors to Goa from countries like Norway, Germany, UK, USA, UAE, etc.
Editorial Team
Chief Editor
Jessyl Fernandez
Content Manager Steve Antao
Content Curators Prataya Sarkar
Dr. Valerie Pereira
Richelle Brito-Carvalho
Dr. Denise Rodrigues
Sales & Marketing
Donald Fernandez
Graphics & Layout
Shankar Kamble
Aniket Naik
Social Media Manager
Saviola Dias
cover story
viola Rodrigues
Having been in the industry for more than 12 years now, Viola Rodrigues has, though her brilliant works of art, established herself as one of the most sought-after artists in Goa
Article by: Steve Antao
Images by: Vola Art Escape
The 8th of March is celebrated globally as International women's Day every year and in this special Women's Day issue of ours, we decided to bring to you the story of an incredible Goan woman who has, through, hard work, perseverance and dedication, managed to craft a name for herself in the world of the art business here in Goa. And that incredible woman is none-other than the number one artist of Goa, Ms. Viola Rodrigues.
Viola is a name and a brand in the field of art in Goa as she has established herself as a pioneer, working in the industry for 12 years now and breaking new uncharted ground. Director and coordinator of her own art gallery, ‘Vola Art Escape’, Viola is multifarious in all mediums of art. Starting her career at a very early age of 5, she started learning the basics of art and colour by trying out everything be it sketching, doodling or painting.
Her initial paintings and drawings were based on fashion trends of different styles of outfits and garments. Her father, Vernon Rodrigues, who saw her keen interest and talent in painting, encouraged her to pursue a career in the field. “My parents were always open minded and persuasive and encouraged me to follow my goals to the fullest.” added Viola.
Following her passion and love for painting, she opened her own art gallery named ‘Vola Art Escape’ online. Later, she took it offline by opening a physical art gallery in Porvorim on Chogm road. The gallery later moved to its present day location in Candolim. Lying in the heart of the tourist belt, on Candolim's main road near the Candolim health centre, this art gallery is a haven for all art lovers out there.
In the gallery, there are paintings of various genres like abstracts, contemporary, comprehensive religious, detailed doodling and many more Indian variables also available for purchase. There are live artists working in the art gallery, from whom the walk-in customers can personalize their portraits or paintings. Viola describes her art gallery as “a piping hot cup of tea for each and everybody”.
Other than the gallery work, Viola also takes personal orders for portraits, sculptures and culture murals from walk-in customers and word of mouth publicity and satisfied referrals. Viola, who prefers detailed
her customers, their preferences and choices before delivering their masterpiece in time.
Talking about her likes, Viola revealed that she loves oil painting and acrylics the most. She has an interest in contemporary and abstract arts along with renaissance artwork. Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo are two of the painters that she regards as role models. Working as a Pan-India artist, Viola sold 5000+ paintings all across India, the Middle East and Europe in 2020 while the world was still going through the peak of the pandemic.
Achievements
Viola has done professional wall murals and customized canvas paintings for hotels and restaurants, clubs and casinos such as Taj, Hyatt, Strike Casino, Tito’s, Antares, Cohiba, Ritz Classic and many more. “We have also sold paintings to the famous honorable Mr. Narayan Bandekar, who is our prestige client”, says Viola. “Mr. Bandekar has always been of immense support to me. He has displayed a few of the paintings done by me at The HQ hotel in Vasco, which is run by him. He has always been a father figure to me”, Viola added!
Viola Rodrigues has recently completed yet another milestone for an American based hotel chain named "Aiden by Best Western” situated in Vagator in North Goa. Professional wall murals were custom made for the reception area, bar area, lounge, restaurant area, staircases and hallways of the prestigious premises while 60 exclusive canvas paintings were custom made for the rooms and washrooms. The entire project was executed and handed over in just 3 months to perfection.
Vola Art Escape provides customized art for residential and commercial premises as per the client's design and budget. From personalized sketches & portraits to customized wall murals and canvas paintings, they also organize face painting and caricature sketching for corporate events/ private events & birthday parties.
Social Support
Viola has lent her help and support to many budding artists in Goa. Her art gallery offers internships for
students who like to learn the artistry and develop themselves. Vola Art Escape was instrumental in organizing the international art contest which successfully concluded its second edition in 2020. This art contest was a platform to recognize the talents of the budding artists from pan India/ overseas and appreciate their works by handing out cash prizes and certificates.
Gratitude
Reminiscing about her successful journey so far, Viola took time to give credit to Mr. Anshuman Sharma and her parents who have been constantly supportive and played an impressive role in vetting her art. Viola says that connections and financials are a must for any artist starting their career to make it big. But in her case due to the constant and unwavering support from her parents and family friends whom she met in the field with tech savvy and business perspectives, she was able to follow her passion and become a giant in the industry. Speaking about her future goals, she highlighted that she wants to open 1 or 2 more
Website: www.itsgoa.com I Instagram: @_itsgoa I Facebook: Itsgoa
One of the paintings at ‘Aiden by best western’
the pan-India horizon. “I would like to open my own interior design office connected with art which can be a one stop shop for all artistic needs, “added Viola.
Being the role model for many budding artists of the state, Viola doesn’t hesitate to extend her support to the youth. “Join me and we will give you an opportunity to grow as an artist while giving proper exposure and a good platform to showcase your talents. Even a dish needs a pinch of salt. We will sculpt you to be an allround artist” she says.
For more information about Vola Art Escape:
Call/WhatsApp: 079723 55356
Mail: volaartescape01@gmail.com
Instagram: instagram.com/volaartescape/
Facebook: facebook.com/volaartescape01/
Article by: Prataya Sarkar
Priyanka Uday Kudtarkar is a woman who dared to dream big and paved her path to success. Born and raised in Pernem, a coastal town in North Goa, India, Priyanka received her education at Shree Bhagwati High School. From an early age, she aspired to pursue a career that was unconventional and unique. While she initially dreamed of becoming a pilot, she eventually changed her career trajectory and pursued higher studies in Computer Application from Goa University.
After completing her Master's degree, Priyanka secured a job as a software developer at a software company. However, her desire to do something out of the ordinary never faded. She began sharing pictures and videos online as a hobby, never expecting her online presence to grow as significantly as it did. Despite having a full-time job, she remained committed to her passion and gradually gained traction as an influencer.
Priyanka's childhood ambition to carve a distinct path for herself motivated her to embark on her journey as an influencer. She enjoyed capturing and sharing photographs and videos, and her consistency enabled her to grow her online following. Her growing popularity soon caught the attention of businesses, leading to various collaborations. Although balancing her full-time job with her influencer status proved to be a challenge, Priyanka was grateful for the support of her understanding parents and her friends Siya Salgaonkar and Neeta Sawant, who were her pillars of encouragement throughout her journey.
Priyanka at Avo’s Kitchen, Assagao
Challenges and Triumphs
Balancing a full-time job as a software engineer with her social media activities remains Priyanka's primary challenge. Nevertheless, she endeavors to manage her time effectively so that she can pursue her passions while fulfilling her professional commitments. Priyanka's success as an influencer is a testament to her dedication and perseverance, which have enabled her to overcome obstacles and achieve her goals.
Priyanka's inspiring message to others is to have faith in their abilities and to never be afraid of dreaming big. By setting achievable goals and working diligently
Website: www.itsgoa.com
@_itsgoa
Priyanka with her parents
by: Shruthi Arabekar
Shruthi Arabekar is a lawyer turned content creator from Goa. The story of her life is a testament to the fact that one can never predict where life will take them. Hailing from Reis Magos, Shruthi pursued law at V M Salgaocar College of Law, Miramar, and later became an advocate based in North Goa. However, her journey took an unexpected turn when she discovered her passion for content creation.
Growing up, like many other children, Shruthi dreamed of becoming a doctor. But after completing her education, she realized that advocacy was her true calling. Despite being a successful advocate, she felt a void in her life and wanted to explore other avenues.
It was then that she joined a political company to broaden her horizons. However, she soon discovered her love for photography and social media. She enjoyed clicking pictures and posting them on Instagram, where she found a platform to express herself creatively.
Shruthi's Instagram feed is a vibrant and colorful
Undeterred, Shruthi continued to create content, and it was her consistent efforts that led to collaborations with an influencer who runs a cafe in Siolim. She faces no significant challenges as she loves creating content and sees it as an opportunity to learn something new with each post.
Shruthi's passion for content creation is evident in her Instagram feed, which has over 24.7K followers. Her posts are carefully crafted to ensure that they resonate with her followers and convey her message. She is always looking for new ways to engage with her audience, whether it is through Instagram stories
When it comes to her inspiration, Shruthi looks up to content creators like Larissa D'sa and ode_tomytravels. Larissa D'sa's blogs, in particular, resonate with Shruthi as they are realistic and connect the reader to a particular place, culture, or
Shruthi's journey is far from over, and she has no plans of slowing down. She aspires to meet Kartik Aryan someday, but for now, she is focused on continuing to create content and overcome any hurdles that may come her way.
To young people, Shruthi's message is clear : stay true to yourself, don't depend on anyone, and love yourself. Her journey is a testament to the fact that following your passions and being consistent can lead to success.
lifestyle influencer
jade d’sa
Popularly known by the moniker ‘That Goan Girl’, Jade D’sa is one of Goa’s most popular travel and food bloggers
Article by: Prataya Sarkar
Images by: That Goan Girl
Jade D'Sa is a name synonymous with blogging, entrepreneurship, and success. Hailing from the beautiful state of Goa, Jade has made a name for herself as a digital marketing expert, influencer, and blogger. In this article, we take a closer look at the journey of Jade D'Sa, from her childhood ambitions to her current successes, and the message she has for Goan youngsters.
Jade D'Sa grew up in Saligao, a quaint village in North Goa. After completing her graduation she moved to Mumbai to pursue her MBA in Marketing. Jade spent the next seven years working in national-level ad agencies, gaining valuable experience in the industry.
Jade's childhood ambitions kept changing every few months, from wanting to be an artist, a veterinarian, a detective, an event planner, and so on. However, little did she know that her passion for writing, food, and travel would lead her to become an influential blogger and entrepreneur.
Jade began her blogging journey as a pastime during her nights at home in Mumbai. She started her website, ThatGoanGirl.com, as a way to kill time and act as a creative outlet. Jade wrote about her experiences eating out and traveling in and around Mumbai. Her blog slowly gained traction, and Jade realized that there was so much to write about and document. Her passion for blogging grew from a pastime to a full-fledged passion.
Jade's friends and family were supportive of her blogging, as it did not interfere with her work or income-generating activities. She started winning awards, getting recognized, being invited to schools/ colleges/events, and it just grew from there. Jade did not collaborate with any famous influencers in Goa or other parts of India, as blogging was relatively new back then.
Jade's biggest challenge in pursuing her passion for blogging full-time was explaining to people that blogging is not Instagram. Writing 800-1000 word articles is not the same as writing a 2-line caption on Instagram. There is a world of difference between a blogger, an Instagrammer, and an influencer, and getting people to understand the difference is a challenge - and a very tiresome one, at that.
Jade considers Bruised Passports, Shivya Nath, Glographics, and the Travelista as her role models. What she loves about these bloggers is that they put out valuable blog posts and Instagram posts without being swayed by trends. They stay true to who they are, and it's very refreshing.
When asked about any celebrity she would like to meet someday, Jade exclaimed Oprah Winfrey! Her future plans are focused on building Digitally Scrambled, her 6-year-old digital marketing agency.
and make your way up in a competitive space. In Goa, Goans have things very comfortable, and while that's nice, it has a downside. There's often little desire to grow, little ambition, and no drive to improve professionally and personally. Some experience in the real world is invaluable.
Follow Jade on her foodie trails at: Blog: www.thatgoangirl.com Instagram: @thatgoangirl
Article by: Steve Antao
Image by: Tanvi Bharne
Tanvi Bharne is a true inspiration for those who want to follow their dreams and passions. She has proven that it is never too late to change your career path and pursue something you truly love. Tanvi was born and raised in the picturesque town of Panaji, the capital city of Goa. From a young age, she developed a love for law, which she pursued by studying at the V. M. Salgaocar College of Law.
After completing her studies, Tanvi worked as an advocate and practiced law for several years. However, her love for cooking was always present, and she found solace in the kitchen whenever she needed to unwind. Tanvi's passion for cooking was inherited from her grandmothers and mother, who are all excellent cooks and passed on their love for food to Tanvi.
During the pandemic-induced lockdown, Tanvi decided to pivot and join her family's fabric retailing business. She was drawn to the business as it provided a sense of security during these uncertain times. However, it was her love for cooking that really took center stage. She launched her own food page on Instagram, showcasing her unique recipes and quick cooking techniques, which quickly gained her a huge following.
Tanvi's talent for creating mouth-watering Goan cuisine and her engaging content has made her a popular influencer and content creator in the food blogging world. Her Instagram page, which goes by the name of @tanus_treats, has more than 10K followers as of March 2023. Tanvi's page is a mix of pictures, videos, and reels that showcase her delicious food creations and cooking techniques.
Tanvi's passion for content creation has led her to collaborate with several well-known brands, including Maggi, Big Bazaar, and Safola. She is also a certified creator for the popular video-sharing platform, Moj. Her sister Roma, a well-known food blogger herself, has been a vital contributor to her page, helping her to create exciting content. Her other sister Siya also helped her a lot by providing her with various ideas for doing video series’ like Tiffin series, summer drinks series etc. Tanvi's content is not just limited to Instagram. She has also created a YouTube channel (@tanvibharne403 )where she shares longer and more in-depth cooking tutorials.
Looking to the future, Tanvi plans to focus more on content creation, with a particular emphasis on introducing young Goans to their traditional cuisine and sharing simple techniques to prepare it. Tanvi believes that Goan cuisine is often underrated and overshadowed by other Indian cuisines, and she wants to change that by showcasing the unique flavors and cooking techniques that make Goan cuisine special.
Tanvi aspires to open her own restaurant one day, where she can serve her unique recipes. She hopes to create a space where people can come together and enjoy delicious food in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
For Tanvi, following her heart and pursuing her dreams is the key to success. She encourages all young people to do what makes them happy and to chase their passions relentlessly.
Tanvi's success is a testament to the fact that with talent, determination, and hard work, anything is possible.
Website:
DENTAL
Beneath The Smile of a Woman
You know her. The strong and kind woman who moves forward with grace and empathy. She is your mother, sister, wife, grandmother, friend or daughter. Maybe you are here, reading this article. She always brings a smile to your face. And her smile lights up your world.
But what goes on behind a woman's smile in her mouth?
Women's mouths are different from men's due to estrogen receptors in the soft tissues of the mouth. As a result, they suffer from different diseases, especially with hormonal fluctuations. In fact, with poor oral health, women are more prone to cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, diabetes and more. By raising awareness about different conditions, we can help women take care of their oral health and influence better health outcomes -not just for themselves, but also for their families.
Here is a list of changes to watch and monitor from childhood to old age:
a. Puberty
Surging levels of the hormones, oestrogen and progesterone during puberty, modulate the oral environment, predisposing female teens to an increased risk of gingivitis, especially if oral hygiene is not maintained. This leads to an increased presence of microorganisms. The gums usually appear bright red and may bleed. This is easily corrected by scaling and improved oral hygiene.
Also, deficiencies like Iron deficiency, anaemia, and Vitamin B12 deficiency may be observed in the mouth. According to studies, approximately 50% of adolescents ages 12 to 15 years suffer from tooth caries. So, a visit to the dentist by the ages of 9-15 years is a must, also to check for any crowding or mispositioning of teeth. In addition, Herpes labialis, aphthous ulcers and angular cheilitis may be seen.
b. Oral Contraceptives
Women consuming hormonal contraceptives are vulnerable to oral health issues. Contraceptives mimic a state of pregnancy, and a high level of progesterone and estrogen influence an increase in bacterial colonization leading to swollen and/or bleeding gums.
Women must inform their dentist about contraceptive use, particularly if they need to have a tooth extracted because they are likely to develop a painful condition after extraction called dry socket. For these women, teeth may be extracted on days that the woman is not on the pill.
c. Pregnancy
The health of a pregnant woman and her baby are closely linked and affected by the mother's oral health.
75% of women have swollen or bleeding gums during their pregnancy called Pregnancy Gingivitis. Pregnant women should visit the dentist and have a scaling done. Women generally are apprehensive to have the treatment done during their pregnancy, but it is safe to do so in their second trimester. A delay in treatment may result in a risk to the woman and the foetus. Preterm birth, low birth weight, and poor glucose control have been associated with periodontal disease during pregnancy. In addition, periodontal disease during pregnancy is linked with pre-eclampsia.
Also, erosion of teeth can take place because of frequent vomiting in the first trimester.
d. Postpartum
Postpartum, the woman must follow up on her dental care. This is because transmission of Streptococcus mutans, the bacteria that causes dental caries, takes place from mother to child. So, a mother who has decay passes this on to her new-born even before the baby's teeth have erupted!
Also, sharing food and cleaning the pacifier with the mother’s saliva should be avoided to prevent childhood caries.
e. Menopause
The woman's mouth contains estrogen receptors. Menopause results in a decrease in the amount of systemic estrogen causing oral pain and discomfort, burning, mucosal atrophy, and osteoporosis. This causes bone loss in the jaw too and subsequently tooth loss. Implants and other tooth replacement options must be made available to the woman.
Counselling for women who have lost all their teeth and need dentures is a must.
Many other conditions can be seen in a woman's mouth like white lesions, pemphigus or other mucocutaneous lesions. The salivary flow can also decrease due to stones in the salivary ducts or other causes leading to dryness.
Diet and nutrition are important factors to be considered especially for women(Iron, Vitamin C, Calcium, Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin D). Many young girls suffer from eating disorders like Bulimia and Anorexia Nervosa and these show signs in the mouth.
It's important that women monitor changes like pain, bleeding, dryness, oral hygiene and ulcers in their mouths. This should ensure that women have "smiles for a lifetime " which in turn shall light up the world.
About the Author
Dr. Valerie Anithra Pereira is a consultant dentist who specialises in Peridontics (gums), Laser Dental treatment and Implants.
She has done her BDS from AJ Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore. She has practiced at Narayana Hrudayalaya in Bangalore and has done her Masters in Periodontics and Implantology (MDS) at Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in Coorg. She has served as an Assistant Professor in Periodontology at Bhopal University and Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Nashik
She is available for consultation at Pai Dental Clinic, Panjim. She can be contacted on: 8208007184
