Music Concerts

At a particular time of the year, rain clouds roll overhead and water the land of Goa heralding the monsoon season. As beautiful as this season is, some ingredients and other things aren’t available at that time. Many locals of Goa start collecting twigs, wood, and coconut shells, and carry it home to use as firewood before the rains hit. Sheryl Gonsalves | NT GoGoaNow Here are some other ways Goans deal with the rainy season:- – Chillies: Drying red chillies (Kashmiri, musureo, Moira chillies) in the sun and storing them. – Coriander seeds/ jeera/ turmeric: Mix salt and water in a vessel. Put the coriander seeds in that water and mix well. Take it out from the water and leave it in the sun to dry. You can do the same with jeera (cumin) and whole haldi. This is to avoid insects from attacking it during the moist rainy weather. – Dry seafood: Goans store dry fish and dry prawns as there may be fish scarcity during the monsoons. – Pulses: They dry pulses like beans (vousane) and small white beans (meerulio) in the sun. – Tamarind: Remove the tamarind seeds and discard, apply salt, and pound a little […]

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

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 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. 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 oats to soften in […]

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, […]

Are you one of those people under lockdown going crazy with boredom indoors? Here are some ideas to help you make your time at home fun and productive:   Catch up with family and friends There must be people you haven’t spoken to for a long time. Call them and recollect cherished memories together. Reach to those who are alone and support them during these times.   Learn something new Sometimes life gets so busy that we don’t get time for other things. Learn to play that piano that’s gathering dust in your house or practice new dance moves by watching online videos. Try your hand at stitching, embroidery, etc. You can even complete an online course, take up the task of speaking a new language, learn to do basic home repairs, programming, carpentry, and so much more.   Have an indoor photo-shoot This is an idea which can be loved by smartphone owners having social media accounts. Take selfies, dress up if needed, and capture creative photos indoors by making use of props, shadows, using window light diffused with shutters, taking macro shots of objects, etc. There are a lot of ideas online where people use items like sieves, […]

‘Guru, Girls & A Dude Without A Plan’, a vibrant graphic novel by Derek Almeida and illustrator Fabian Gonsalves follows a young man’s unpredictable ride through love, luck, and life in contemporary India RAMANDEEP KAUR | NT KURIOCITY Picture Credit: Hemant Parab After more than 30 years in journalism, Derek Almeida wanted to explore a new creative path. Writing a traditional novel felt overwhelming, so he turned to graphic novels—a format he had enjoyed as a child reading comics like Panther and Mandrake. This idea grew into ‘Guru, Girls & a Dude Without a Plan’, a quirky graphic novel created in collaboration with Calangute-based artist Fabian Gonsalves. The story follows Jag, a drifting, relatable character who “just goes with the flow”. While not based on anyone specific, Almeida says the character reflects bits of himself. “Jag represents the kind of people who don’t have a fixed direction,” he explains. “Most of us are like that—we finish school, maybe college, and figure things out along the way. Jag is for those people.” Jag’s look, however, was purely Gonsalves’ creation. The idea for the book first came together around six or seven years ago, during national debates surrounding Gaurakshaks (cow vigilantes). Almeida […]

In an effort to motivate and empower students and competitive exam aspirants, educationist and author Naguesh S. Sardessai has launched his book, ‘Select Essays’ SAILEE NAIK A seasoned academic with over three decades of teaching experience, Sardessai brings both his scholarly insight and grassroots experience with students into his recent carefully curated collection of 15 thought-provoking essays. Titled ‘Select Essays’, the book was formally released by principal of Dempo College of Commerce and Economics, Manoj Kamat recently. The book is meant to serve as a ready reckoner for students preparing for UPSC, GPSC, and other competitive exams. But its relevance doesn’t end there. “Students participating in elocution, debate competitions, and other academic forums will also benefit greatly,” says Sardessai. Topics in this book range from abstract concepts like ‘Time Management’ and ‘There Is No Shortcut to Success’ to socio-political themes such as ‘Indian Republic @75’, ‘Global Warming’, ‘Digitalisation in India’, and ‘India – A New Space Power’. What sets this book apart from others on the market, explains Sardessai, is its accessibility and contextual relevance, particularly for Goan youth. “Many books can be overwhelming for beginners. I’ve written this to be a starting point—something that builds their confidence and ignites a spark for reading and writing,” he says. The essays are designed to reflect national priorities and youth-centric […]

Harish Yadav fought against all odds and today works as a Chef De Rang (head waiter) in a Paris hotel MARIA FERNANDES | NT Born and brought up in a chawl in Mumbai, Harish Yadav’s journey to the City of Love has been a long tedious one. The chawls in Mumbai are a quintessential part of the city’s fabric and emerged during Mumbai’s industrial boom. They are a unique form of affordable housing and represent the city’s history, culture and community spirit. In a chawl, a floor comprises rooms in a single row with a common verandah and toilets. “My father and grandfather were both taxi drivers. We all lived in a single 120 square feet room as a joint family which included my grandparents, my parents, my uncle and aunt and my brother and I,” he shares. Besides space confines, Harish also faced other challenges. His father, Rakesh was a forward-thinking individual and had big dreams for his sons. However, living in a joint family meant decisions were taken after consulting everyone. “My father understood the importance of education, especially how studying in an English-medium school would benefit us, but my grandfather was against the idea. He was of […]

The daughter of India’s only opera singer Celia Lobo, Diedre Lobo, an international vocal coach and concert artiste, will be conducting a vocal workshop in Goa. NT KURIOCITY gets details KALYANI JHA | NT KURIOCITY Diedre Lobo believes that one never stops learning, a principle she imbibed from her mother, India’s only opera diva, late Celia Lobo. And having followed in her musical footsteps, Deidre has been teaching voice since 1988. “I use a lot of my mother’s techniques with regards to breathwork and approaching high and low notes. When you talk about coaching, in her opinion, there is no such thing as not having time to practice. These are the things I use in my coaching,” she says.  The international vocal coach and concert artist teaches vocal techniques in the genres of Pop, Jazz, Rap, Broadway, Western, classical, and Indian classical—Hindustani / Carnatic. These techniques also help speakers and drama students in their performances. Over the years, she has taught over 65+ workshops and masterclasses and worked with names like Tara Sutaria, Meher Mistry, Shiamak Davar, Dhawal Chandawadkar, Aditi Paul, etc. And having been in India since March this year, conducting vocal workshops in Chennai, Pune, and Mumbai, the […]