Dedicated to the people of Goa, Goan musician O’luv has come out with his new music video ‘The CASHEW song of Goa’ Goan musician O’luv has released his new music video single ‘The CASHEW song of Goa’ on his YouTube channel O’luv Goa. The video has been created over a span of three months, with site visits to understand the process and to draw inspiration for the lyrics and to create the visuals. From the picking of the tree-ripened cashew apples with the ‘tochni’ or ‘kantto’ [ a stick with a spur or thorn near the tip], to the separation of the nut from the cashew apple for the extraction of the juice at the ‘kollbi’, to the fermentation and the two distillations at the ‘battie’ using the traditional clay-pot ‘lavnni’ as the condenser, most of the processes involved are covered in a song. The aim of the song is to celebrate the cashew (anacardium occidentale) that came from Brazil and became one of our own in Goa. We have found a number of uses for the tree, its nut and the cashew apple and it is now an integral part of the Goan culture and traditions. It is used […]

Fish is considered as the staple diet of the Goan people. All humans use readily available edible resources and slowly develop a culture around it and the knowledge is passed from generation to generation. Fish became an integral part of Goan diet from prehistoric times (50000-60000 years before present). Goa has an unenviable culture showcasing different ways communities look at, understand, worship, love/hate, catch, cook and serve fish. Goa being rich in freshwater and marine ecosystems offers free, highly diverse (about 250 species of fish and shellfish) fisheries resources so the culture of catching fish developed much before animal husbandry or agriculture. Due to early semi-nomadic settlers who camped first in Mandovi and Zuari river basins about 50-60000 years ago and developed the practice of catching fish using different gears. Fish was a staple diet in ancient Goa even before the caste system was developed so almost all ethnic Goan communities are found to utilize fish in their food but there are clear taboos about meat. After the advent of GSB (Goa Saraswat Brahmins) migrants the legend of Sage Saraswat saving the Vedas by consuming fish from Vedic river Saraswati became popular and the Brahmins too justified consumption of fish […]

The premiere of Konkani film ‘‘Amori’’ directed by Dinesh Bhonsle was held at Inox, Margao. The chief guest for the same was Minister for Power, Nilesh Cabral while the guest of honour was Fr Jose Costa and the special guest was Leader of Opposition, Digambar Kamat. Produced by Opus Gala, the film aims at showing to the younger generation where water comes from, for example, aquifers, ponds, springs and streams that nourish all life and how precious a resource it is. The dialogues in the film highlight socio-environmental issues are affecting Goans today. The film also shows how those working for the betterment of society are met with resistance from multiple places along with the negligence of the ecosystems and occupations and the allowance of the cultural traditions to become commercialised, etc. The cast comprises Salil Naik, Sobita Kudtarkar, Mayur Mayekar, Prashanti Talpankar, Tanmay Kharpe, Shaina Mirashi, Daksha Shirodkar along while the crew comprise of director, Dinesh P Bhonsle, screenplay and scriptwriter R M Vardhan and music director, Schubert Cotta among others The film is being screened simultaneously from September 13 onwards at Panaji, Margao, Bicholim, Valpoi, Vasco da Gama, Cuncolim and Curchorem. The producers of the movie have appealed […]

“I’m looking forward to a new normal. I haven’t thought that far ahead. Let’s take one step at a time and this too shall pass,” says Sharmila regarding the lockdown and the Covid-19 situation. Sheryl Gonsalves – NT GoGoaNow Sharmila, the owner of ‘Kitsch Bits’ creates beautiful items out of waste material. The pandemic affected her sales, which she expected, as nowadays people are more careful with their money because of the economic situation.  During the lockdown, her time was spent doing housework, practicing woodburning, different painting techniques, experimenting with new waste products, and creating new looks for her works. The lockdown wasn’t boring for her. She even tried to knead her own bread when bread wasn’t available. However, Sharmila did get frustrated sometimes as she didn’t always have the material she needed to create her craftworks. All the housework led to tiredness, but what made her feel good was performing kind acts like feeding stray animals. She had plans to go to France this October but unfortunately had to cancel her trip. Sharmila suggests buying groceries once a week and carpooling instead of coming and going to the market so often and causing more pollution. She says: “We need […]

CELEBRATING BIODIVERSITY: On the occasion of World Environment Day 2020, a special webinar on celebrating biodiversity will be held June 5, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Listen to the best minds who have devoted their lives to biodiversity protection, conservation and the sustainable development agenda. The speakers will include director, TERI Southern Regional Centre, Bengaluru, DN Narasimha Raju; chief naturalist, Jungle Lodgers and Resorts, Kartikeyan S; deputy conservator of forest, Bengaluru, Urban Division, Sidramppa Chalkapure; founder-director, Green Hub Project (north east network – Dusty Foot Initiative) Rita Banerji; marine conservationist, IUCN SSC Marine Conservation Society, Aaron Savio Lobo and research associate, TERI Goa, Shalita Dourado. Details: saltanat@teri.res.in/ 25356590/91 FASHION DESIGNING COURSE: Fashion designer, Philu Martins, is conducting a fashion designing course. The course syllabus includes Introduction to Fashion Designing, The History of Fashion, The Elements and Principles of Fashion: Mood Boards, Design Development and Sketching, Understanding Textiles, Fibers, Yarns and Fabrics, Fabric Sourcing, Patternmaking, Sizing and Measurements, Completing your Pattern, Construction and Draping Techniques, Garment Structure, Creating, Financing and Marketing a Clothing Label, the Fashion Industry, Career Opportunities and Developing your Brand. Register before June 11 to avail a 20 per cent discount on the course. Details: 2424421/ 9822580070/ philumartins@gmail.com […]

If you live in Goa, you have probably seen D’ziners- a bespoke tailoring clothing store. Andrew Fernandes, the proprietor, has a little chat with NT GoGoaNow to share what changes have happened in his life.  Sheryl Gonsalves – NT GoGoaNow Picture Credit – Shivang Mishra I NT GoGoaNow Andrew used to be a very busy man. He used to start with his Margao store and end up at his Mapusa store. Now he uses his time to play badminton, help out in the kitchen, pray with his family, and spend time with the Bible. He even worked on some paintings which have Biblical themes. Andrew opens up about his difficulties and shares that he may have to close down some of his stores as he’s currently unable to pay the rent, electric bills, and salaries. He reveals, “We are hardly getting customers. Clothing is a lifestyle business. Now, food is more important for people than clothes.” Also, there are no events for people to dress up for. When things are well in the future, Andrew has a dream of using his beautiful Benaulim house to open up a boutique restaurant. He says, “No one can predict anything. I’m looking forward […]