Music Concerts

The arrival of dark rain clouds over Goa marks the beginning of one of the most eagerly awaited seasons of the year. The monsoons transform the landscape into a lush green paradise, bringing relief from the summer heat. But while the rains are beautiful, they also bring their share of challenges.  For generations, Goans have developed clever ways of preparing their homes and kitchens for the rainy season. Here are some traditional ways Goans prepare for the monsoons: 1. Stocking Up on Firewood Before the rains make everything damp, many locals collect twigs, branches, pieces of wood and coconut shells and store them so that fires can be started.  2. Drying and Storing Chillies Red chillies such as Kashmiri, musureo and Moira chillies are dried thoroughly in the sun and stored for use during the rainy months.  3. Protecting Spices from Insects Coriander seeds, cumin (jeera) and whole turmeric (haldi) are traditionally treated before being stored for the monsoon. One method involves mixing salt and water in a vessel and soaking the coriander seeds in it. The seeds are then removed and dried under the sun. You can do the same with jeera (cumin) and whole haldi. This helps protect these […]

Ornella Menezes, a teen from Colvale, loves to keep herself busy. She creates crochet jewellery which was even showcased for the Schulen Fernandes for Wendell Rodricks Zentangle Collection at the Lotus Make-up India Fashion Week in Delhi. She tells NT GoGoaNow that her normal days consisted of school and homework but now, during the lockdown, a lot of her time has been freed up for crochet. While everyone else’s businesses have been negatively affected, Ornella reveals that her sales increased in the midst of the lockdown days. The crochet items she usually creates are doilies, table runners, jewellery, and centrepieces. A day in her life consists of mostly creating crochet works, playing the piano, paper quilling, and taking online singing classes. The free time helped her get a lot more ideas by taking inspiration from Pinterest posts. She hardly gets bored and enthusiastically says: “I’m looking forward to buying new threads” for her crochet works. Sheryl Gonsalves | NT GoGoaNow Picture Credit – SHIVANG MISHRA II NTGOGOANOW [siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget] [siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget] [siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget] [siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget] [siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget] [siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]

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 […]

Music is a language everybody understands. Alvaro Pereria, the musician who has helped boost classical Western music in Goa, talks to NT GoGoaNow about his days during the past few weeks. Sheryl Gonsalves – NT GoGoaNow This Goa State Cultural Award holder spent his days mostly playing badminton, reading, and practicing classical music. He was supposed to perform at a music concert in June but it had to be called off due to the pandemic. “We worked on a whole new Schubert trio (for the concert) to try something new. It takes more than forty minutes to perform,” Alvaro reveals. They also practiced Beethoven pieces and a Mozart trio. Alvaro usually composes church music and performs at weddings but all that is now cancelled. He feels that music can help quite a lot and didn’t find the lockdown boring. He says, “Inspiration is there everyday whether there is a lockdown or not.”

Chefs share smoothie recipes to beat the heat.  GRANOLA & FRUIT SMOOTHIE Ingredients:1 banana sliced1 apple medium (Peeled & Diced)1/3 cup plain Greek yoghurt1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder1tbsp. maple syrup or honey1 tbsp. flaxseed powder1/2 cup granola1/4 cup ice Method:Crush granola coarsely in the blenderAdd Greek yoghurt, soy milk, and honey to blend it wellAdd the rest of the ingredients and blend until smoothVoila! Granola smoothie is ready [siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget] AVOCADO SUPER SMOOTHIE Ingredients: 1/2 cup of almonds & walnuts1 ½ – 2 cups of spinach leaves chopped1 firm ripe avocado 1 ½ cups almond milk 1tbsp. of liquid apple syrup or honey1tbsp. sunflower seeds1tbsp. pumpkin seeds Method:Add mixed nuts (almond & Walnut), sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds in a blender and blend it wellAdd spinach, avocado & soya milk in a blender. Blend until smoothAdd liquid apple syrup or honey and blend it for another 10 seconds.Pour into glasses and serve. [siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget] PEANUT BUTTER AND HONEY OAT SMOOTHIE (from Executive Chef Nitin Mathur, Taj Santacruz) Ingredients: 2 cups of rolled oats (pan-roasted)½ yoghurt1 cup almond milk1 large banana3tbsp. peanut butter2 tablespoons honey1tbsp flaxseed powder   Instructions: Place oats in blender and processPour milk into a blender and allow processed […]

Goa got to see wonderful English plays because of a certain creative lady called Isabel Vas. NT GoGoaNow catches up with her to find out what she’s been up to these days. Sheryl Gonsalves – NT GoGoaNow “During the lockdown I was alone. Traffic had stopped. Everything was completely silent. The silence brought the birds back into my garden which I enjoyed. For some days I wasn’t able to get groceries but something wonderful happened. Neighbours and other people helped me get food which was very touching,” Isabel reveals. She kept herself occupied with a bit of reading, gardening, and writing. The days were peaceful and relaxing and she used to sit quietly and enjoy the silence. Isabel reveals that she was holding auditions for a new play of hers, but it got cancelled. Having any plays now is a big question mark for her. She has noticed that people like writers, painters, and musicians have become extremely creative during these days. “Coming up with a play is a slow process so I haven’t done anything specific,” says Isabel. She misses her students at Goa University. When asked about the future, Isabel replies: “I’m looking forward to changes in this […]

“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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

MYTHS ABOUT CORONAVIRUS Cold weather and snow CANNOT kill the new coronavirus. There is no reason to believe that cold weather can kill the new coronavirus or other diseases. The normal human body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C, regardless of the external temperature or weather. Taking a hot bath does not prevent the new coronavirus disease Taking a hot bath will not prevent you from catching COVID-19. Your normal body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C, regardless of the temperature of your bath or shower. Actually, taking a hot bath with extremely hot water can be harmful, as it can burn you. The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by frequently cleaning your hands. By doing this you eliminate viruses that may be on your hands and avoid infection that could occur by then touching your eyes, mouth, and nose. The new coronavirus cannot be transmitted through goods manufactured in China or any country reporting COVID-19 cases. Even though the new coronavirus can stay on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days (depending on the type of surface), it is very unlikely that the virus will persist on a surface after being moved, traveled, […]

Climate change has become a reality, and this year’s prolonged dry spells between periods of rain have allowed insect populations to multiply. The white-winged caseworm moth lays its eggs on rice paddy leaves. The caterpillars that hatch feed on the leaves, rolling them into cigar-shaped cocoons or ‘cases’. They then cut themselves free from the plant to pupate. Damage caused by the caseworm is often mistaken for grazing by small animals until the floating ‘cases’ are seen on the water in the field. Running a rope over the plants helps dislodge the cases, which then float towards the outlet when the field is drained. They can be collected using an empty onion sack or a piece of shade net. Care should be taken to drain the field only when rain is expected; otherwise the crop may suffer from water stress if left dry. The monsoon is also the season when the GI-tagged Khola chilli thrives. If you are growing chillies, capsicum, tomato or brinjal (aubergine), the whitefly Bemisia tabaci is a common pest. It not only damages plants by sucking sap from the undersides of the leaves but also spreads several plant diseases. Symptoms include leaf curl, reduced leaf size […]

A question about why India has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup inspired 14-year-old Curchorem-based singer Nadia Mascarenhas to write and compose her first original song, ‘Oh My India’, which was released yesterday. The idea came during a conversation with her father while discussing the FIFA World Cup. Nadia, a Class 10 student of Sarvodaya Educational Society’s High School says she wanted the song to encourage people to support football and believe that India could one day qualify for the FIFA World Cup. “It took me a month to write the song. My school schedule allowed me to spare only about 15 minutes a day. Later, I made several changes to the lyrics before recording and shooting the video,” she says, adding that she also wanted the song to include references to different parts of the country before it was recorded and filmed. Nadia’s interest in singing began at the age of 10 after watching a performance on America’s Got Talent. “I liked the way the participant sang, so I started practising that song. Gradually, I learned more songs, and that’s how my interest grew,” says the youngsters who has previously done cover songs. The song has been written, […]

Months of innovation, coding, and teamwork have earned five Goan students a place among the world’s top young robotics talent  Five school students from Goa have been selected to represent India at the FIRST Global Challenge 2026, an international robotics competition to be held in Incheon, South Korea, from October 7 to 10. Each participating country fields a single team to design, build, and program a robot. The team, Tech Infinity, secured its place after winning the Vikram Sarabhai Award for National Excellence at the Bharatiya Yantra Khel Mahotsav (BYKM) 2026, the national selection event conducted by STEM Education Trust (SET). It will now compete alongside teams from nearly 190 countries. Besides the competition, the students will also take part in cultural exchange programmes with teams from other participating countries. The team comprises Sparsh Swapnesh Verlekar, Dhruv Samir Salgaonkar, and Soham Mahesh Redkar of Saraswat Vidyalaya, Mapusa; Avaneesh Devendra Phadte of Mushtifund High School, Cujira; and Anam Raza of Podar International School, Old Goa. Mentor Anay Kamat says the students, who have been training in robotics since 2024, were selected through a multi-stage process that included applications, interviews, and technical assessments. This year’s FIRST Global Challenge theme, ‘Igniting Innovation’, focuses […]

After more than two decades of translation work, Aditi Budkuley has published her first full book translation, rendering Dr. Nithyanantha Bhat’s Indological essays into Konkani KALYANI JHA | NT KURIOCITY Translation plays an important role in moving ideas across languages, particularly in multilingual contexts where access to knowledge depends on it. Assistant professor of anatomy at the Goa College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences, Aditi Budkuley, began working on translation more than two decades ago, initially through small assignments. “I started doing translations around 2004. I began with small assignments and gradually realised I could choose the kind of work I wanted to take up – literary, research or autobiographical texts,” she shares. Her work includes the translation of three research articles from English into Hindi on Konkani people and culture, published in Languages of Goa (2024), a volume brought out under the People’s Linguistic Survey of India, Vol. VIII, Part I, edited by Professor Ganesh Devi. Budkuley has now completed her first complete book translation, ‘Adhunik Vishwant Vedant ani Her Bharavidyadi Nibandh’, a Konkani rendering of Dr. V. Nithyanantha Bhat’s ‘Vedanta and the Modern World and Other Indological Essays’. The book is being published by Sanjana Publication, Sanguem for Aksharpath-Goa. This […]