Neeta Bhat Goa, a coastal region, boasts of its shell craft.  Neeta is one such person who practices this beautiful craft. He ingeniously incorporates shells into various household items like flower vases, table lamps, hanging balls, shell mirrors, and showpieces. Since Neeta is registered at the Handicraft emporium, their branches sell his products. Additionally, private shops from Mapusa & Panaji buy his items. He believes in keeping a low-profit margin of only 20%. The price range for his products are approximately between Rs.17 to Rs.290.” In the future, he intends to dabble in making necklaces out of raw material like sari borders.  The gentle-natured Neeta says this about shell craft, “ Of course I enjoy it!.” Maya Shetkar  The down-to-earth person- Maya Shetkar uses simple seashells which she buys from the market to create beautiful pieces of art. At a young age of 16, Maya’s neighbour taught her this craft and over the years she has put her own creative input into seashells crafting. She makes showpieces, table lamps, curtains, flower pots, mirror work, shell flower bouquets, and earrings. Maya’s items are available at Goa Handicraft showrooms.  She also sells her work at exhibitions. Her prices start at Rs.50. She admits […]

A cool breeze blows and the water laps gently against the river bank. A man walks towards the river carrying his floating net. He gets into the boat and uses his strong arms to expertly row to the desired spot to cast the net for catching fish. SHERYL GONSALVES | NT GOGOANOW This happy-go-lucky Goan is Prakash. He goes fishing 2-3 times a week as it is one of his ways of earning a living. During his childhood, he had a tough life as his parents struggled to feed him and his seven siblings. From a young age, he was a keen learner. Just by watching different people at work, he was able to pick up various other trades like carpentry and vegetable cultivation. He has observed that during the summer there is more fish to catch. According to him, the months of April, May, and June are the best months to fish. During the rainy season, he avoids fishing as the river waters get choppy. In the past few years, fishing has become a bit tougher for him because of crocodiles and seals. Seals move very quickly to steal the fish they catch and even come to bite them. […]

Sunaparanta – Goa Centre for the Arts, Altinho recently launched an online series ‘Surviving SQ (Self Quarantine)’ inviting artists to share creative strategies of survival. Christine Machado | NT For many, this long-drawn lockdown has mea0nt hours of boredom, restlessness, anxiety, and uncertainty. However, for artists, isolation is not a new concept. Indeed, many are known to go off on their own, away from the crowd and the noise, to get in touch with themselves, and to create better. And indeed, perhaps, the rest of us could learn a tip or two from them? It is with this thought process in mind that in late March, a little prior to the imposition of the Janata Curfew, that Sunaparanta – Goa Centre for the Arts, Altinho, decided to launch a new online series of sorts titled ‘Surviving SQ (Self Quarantine)’. “The team along with our patron Isheta Salgaocar were brainstorming on ideas on how to stay connected with our audiences given that by March 20, many had already begun to self-isolate,” says curator and programme director, Leandre D’Souza. And given that artists are at their creative best when they are in isolation, they decided to try and reach out to them […]

For Maria Martins, the proud owner of Mum’s Kitchen restaurant, the lockdown has been quite eye-opening. She has a heart to heart chat with NT GoGoaNow and shares her thoughts and reflections during Covid-19. Sheryl Gonsalves | NT GoGoaNow Picture Credit – SHIVANG MISHRA II NTGOGOANOW The lockdown was a bad phase for her as Maria was used to a hectic life and had to adjust to a slow-paced lifestyle. However, it was good in a way because she realized many things about life like the fact her worries are fewer in comparison to other people who are less fortunate. She has now comprehended what is actually required or not required in life. The bond between her and her workmates became stronger as she got to know the problems that they go through.  “We can do away with a lot of things and still be happy. Life doesn’t revolve around money. It needs human touch, love, and respect. We’ve to respect everyone no matter what they work as,” Maria says. During these days she spent her time gardening and also brushed up on stitching and embroidery which she hadn’t done since her college days. At the moment she is selling […]

The perfect mouthwatering accompaniment Ingredients: 50 mangoes {Tip: while purchasing the mangoes, prick a mango with a toothpick to ensure that the seed is soft} These mangoes should be put in a bucket in layers and the below ingredients should be put for these layers. Lastly, a wooden lid should cover all the mangoes and a heavy weight should be kept evenly on top of it.  After every 3 days stir the mangoes. Keep the mangoes for 10-12 days. Gradually you will notice that water comes out. ½ kg salt 100 grams small chillies 2 grams asafoetida (hing) 1 tsp methi seeds 2 tsp mustard seeds 1 garlic pod (smashed)   Method: After 12 days take the mangoes out and slit them halfway from the top and discard the seed which is inside. Then stuff the mangoes with the below mentioned stuffing: Masala: Roast the following separately:  ¼ kg mustard seeds(rye),  1 tablespoon methi,  Handful of Coarse salt (sea salt). In a vessel, put one litre of oil and heat it and let it cool. Take a little oil and brown two pods of garlic pieces in it. Take a little of the above oil, add to it 10gms of […]