Konkani, the vibrant language of Goa and its diaspora, embodies a rich tapestry of sonic, cultural, and historical significations that resist reduction to a singular script or standardized form. However, in contemporary Goa, Konkani faces a scripto-centric reduction akin to Jacques Derrida’s critique of logocentrism, where the primacy of the written word overshadows the dynamic, embodied, and heterogeneous nature...
Jesus as the Rhythmic Beat of the Goan Gumott
In the vibrant coastal state of Goa, where the Arabian Sea whispers tales of trade and conquest, the Catholic faith pulses like the rhythmic beat of the gumott, a traditional Goan percussion instrument. This clay drum, with its earthy resonance, embodies the soul of Goan culture—a harmonious blend of Konkani roots and Portuguese influence. For Goan Catholics, who form...
Intruz and Carnival in Goa: A Tale of Cultural Continuity and Colonial Transformation
Goa, a vibrant coastal state in India, is renowned for its syncretic culture, where indigenous traditions blend with colonial influences. Two festivals, Intruz and Carnival, embody this cultural tapestry, yet they differ significantly in origin, practice, and historical trajectory. While Intruz is a deeply rooted folk festival tied to Goa’s pre-colonial heritage, Carnival is a Portuguese-introduced pre-Lenten celebration that...
Surrendering São João to Government Control: A Cautionary Tale for Cultural Preservation
The São João Festival, a vibrant celebration of Goan Catholic heritage, has long been a cherished tradition in Goa, particularly in villages like Siolim, Anjuna, and Calangute. Rooted in the commemoration of St. John the Baptist’s birth, the festival is marked by young men leaping into wells, colorful boat parades, traditional music, and the sharing of feni, sweets, and...
Language Politics and the Production of Linguistic Subjects in Goa
In Terrorist Assemblages: Homonationalism in Queer Times (2007, 2017), Jasbir K. Puar offers a critical framework for understanding how configurations of sexuality, race, gender, nation, class, and ethnicity are realigned under contemporary forces of securitization, counterterrorism, and nationalism. Puar’s concept of “homonationalism” reveals how certain subjects are folded into the nation-state through liberal inclusion, while others are marked as...
Embracing Joy of Goa’s Sao Joao Festival
The Sao Joao festival in Goa, a vibrant celebration honoring St. John the Baptist, has often faced opposition from those who argue that its festive nature contradicts the saint’s well-known ascetic lifestyle. Critics point to St. John’s austere existence—living in the desert, eating locusts and wild honey, and wearing simple garments—as evidence that such celebrations are inappropriate. However, this...
The Goan Essence of Fr. Antonio Joao de Miranda: Founder of Hospicio Hospital in Margao
In the heart of Margao, South Goa, stands the legacy of a remarkable institution—the Hospicio do Sagrado Coracao de Maria, popularly known as Hospicio Hospital. Founded in 1867 by Fr. Antonio Joao de Miranda, a Margao-born priest affectionately known as Padre Miranda, this hospital embodies the spirit of Goan compassion, resilience, and community-driven service. The story of Fr. Miranda...
The Handmaids of Christ: God’s Compassion in Action
Nestled on the Araddhi hillock in Calangute, Goa, stands St. Alex Convent, the Mother House of the Congregation of the Handmaids of Christ, a beacon of selfless service and devotion to God. Founded in 1934 by Msgr. Herculano Damaceno Gonsalves, a diocesan priest from Benaulim, Goa. This indigenous Goan Congregation for Women Religious has grown from a humble vision...
The Sagarmala Project in Goa: A Threat to Aquatic Ecosystems and Traditional Livelihoods
The Sagarmala Programme, launched by the Government of India to enhance the country’s logistics sector through port-led development, has sparked significant concern in Goa due to its proposed extensive dredging operations in the state’s rivers. While the project aims to boost maritime trade and connectivity, the environmental and socio-economic costs of dredging rivers like the Zuari, Mandovi, and Sal...
The Goan-ness of Uday Bhembre: A Tapestry of Language, Culture, and Identity
Uday Laxmikant Bhembre, born on December 27, 1939, in Margão, Goa, is a towering figure in the cultural, literary, and political landscape of Goa. A lawyer, writer, poet, journalist, activist, and former legislator, Bhembre’s life and work embody the essence of “Goan-ness”—a unique blend of resilience, cultural pride, and a deep-rooted commitment to preserving Goa’s distinct identity. His contributions...
