The heat is intense but it’s the time of the year that seasonal fruits are available in plenty Seasonal fruits are popular among locals in Goa, especially during the summer. With the popularity of social media, these summer fruits are searched on Google and tracked down in the markets. This has increased demand and has caused the prices to go up. Mangoes, the king of fruits, have always been the favourite. The ‘Mankurad’ is so superior that in the Panaji market, people spent about Rs 4,000 a dozen after the mangoes came to the markets in March. The rates have stabilised but ask the elders around and they’d say, “People would give them to us for a song (free). We never had to think twice before buying Mankurad mangoes but today it’s out of the common man’s reach.” Raw mangoes are coveted too. Used for pickles, preservatives and to go along with urrack with some salt and chilli, the markets are flooded with raw mangoes. ‘Panne’ is a cooler made from raw mangoes. Fresh tender cashews (bibbe) are used in various recipes. These cashews are plucked and peeled to get tender cashews. A favourite of Goans, there’s so much joy […]

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. […]

Life changed a lot as a lockdown was imposed on Goa. Some people loved the free time while others got jittery. Philu Martins, a fashion designer from Goa, speaks to NT GoGoaNow about her life during lockdown. Sheryl Gonsalves | NT GoGoaNow Picture Credit – Shivang Mishra I NT GOGOANOW There is quite a difference between Philu’s daily routine before the lockdown and now. The bubbly fashion designer keeps herself busy with reading, housework, and exercises. “It’s a much healthier lifestyle. I’m eating more nutritious food and I love playing with my lovely dogs.” Philu doesn’t think she’s a good cook but that hasn’t stopped her from trying out Goan recipes. “I really miss going out but this is a much required break which allows me to spend time with my family, and we are praying together and eating together. I’m blessed to have this housewife experience and I’m enjoying but I wouldn’t want it to last forever,” she reveals.  Philu also misses her clients, staff, working with weavers, and the practical part of being a fashion designer as her workshop is closed but she grateful for the holiday. For Easter Sunday she was supposed to have a fashion show […]

Pork sausage is one of the traditional food items of the Goan cuisine. It is mostly loved by the Catholic community of Goa. Pork sausage is basically a boneless pork meat that is seasoned with the required spices and is marinated with vinegar. This mixture is then kept in an earthen vessel over a period of two days. This process allows all the spices and the vinegar to blend properly with the raw meat. The filling is then stuffed into casings which are made up of a layer of intestines of beef meat. They can be eaten boiled, fried, as pork chops and as a pie filling in sandwiches. The most common dish that is prepared by using the sausages is the ‘Choris pao’; bread stuffed with sausages. Pork sausages are easily available in New Margao Municipal market, near the old Margao Municipal building and the Mapusa Market. Pics Credit – Shivang Mishra I NT GOGOANOW.COM [siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]

Why should you talk about art during the coronavirus? Subodh Kerkar, founder of Museum of Goa, answers this question while in conversation with NT GoGoaNow –  “Art helps a lot during lockdown. Things like music, drawing, and cinema, makes life more bearable and enjoyable. Art is what makes us human.”  Sheryl Gonsalves | NT GoGoaNow Subodh reveals that he’s been working on five children’s books which he didn’t get time for before. He has spent his lockdown days reading, drawing, and having online lectures for schools. This passionate artist is also studying art education for children and is trying to come up with new syllabi for kids. He is inspired by an eye-opening book that says that a person doesn’t have to be an artist to teach children art. “I’ve never had a better time in my life than this past 1 month. Because of the uninterrupted time, I’ve done a lot more works this month than I’ve done in the past 1 year,” Subodh says. Normally he used to work at his museum till 7 pm or later, but now he walks near the fields of Saligao everyday for 3-4 hours and has lost weight. When asked about the […]

Velha Goa Galeria    Velha Goa Galeria is a place full of various creative pieces. They sell products like ceramic tiles, clay items, glassware, tableware, and cutlery. The majority of their products are Azulejos (hand painted glazed tiles). The price range of the products is approximately between Rs.300 and Rs.15,000. They also conduct workshops and hold exhibitions.  . .  Address- H.No.191, Rua de Ourém,                Fontainhas, Altinho,                Panaji, Goa .  Telephone: 98221 59881        Azulejos de Goa   The Portuguese style craft, Azulejos, is beautiful. These hand-painted tiles take hours to make. Orlando Noronha went to Portugal and started getting into this craft. He says, “ I always wanted to do something different. It’s an art that I learned in Portugal in 1998 as a hobby and later on when I returned I thought of reintroducing this beautiful art in Goa with Goan designs, motifs, etc.” He is of the opinion that it will always be trendy. His place in Panjim, Azulejos de Goa, is crowded with these tiles and the most popular items are Azulejos tiles and plates. Orlando’s products are also available at Taj Khazana, Magsons […]