"A Goan Crucible of Memories" by Dr. Renato Gracias The book brings to life snippets of the author's "quasi-centenary life" in and around Goa. The book's audience is the nuclear generation to whom the book is dedicated; and which the author laments is evolving into a "cellular" generation that "threatens the survival of the family." The author is hoping to stem this march away from our roots and I applaud him for his efforts. The 120-page paperback certainly lives up to its title with its twenty-three mini-chapters that touch on various aspects of Goan life. As I read the book, I picture a butterfly that goes from one flower to the next. Yet the butterfly's genetic map connects the flowers to complete the story of its journey. Dr. Gracias does not give us this road-map to connect the "flowers" of Goa as he outlines them in the book.
To one familiar with Goa and has the road-map, A Goan Crucible of Memories is a walk down memory lane. Such a reader will appreciate how Goan life has changed (for better or worse depending on your outlook) from the early and mid-twentieth century to today. The many traditional songs and recipes in the book, part of traditional Goan culture, is a handy collection and also provide the nostalgia of Konkani. To the tourist and the second generation Diaspora Goan, and also the seasoned Goan, the vignettes will likely stimulate a more detailed and structured reading of what ever interest them about Goa. Given the compact sequence of the "memories", one cannot help but draw parallels in Goa's long history and social life. One pearl of wisdom that revealed itself to me as a reader and writer of Goan culture, is the non-theological similarities (rituals and practices) between Hinduism and Catholicism especially as seen in Goa. One will need to read the book for the specifics. It was a going astray of both religions from their original roots, that led to reform off-shoots - Buddhism, Jainism and other reform movements in India and Protestantisms in Europe. A Goan Crucible of Memories certainly belongs to a "Goan library" in a Goan home. This "Goan library" is something which I highly recommend to Diaspora Goans, who truly seek to maintain their culture and their links to Goa. The 94-year old highly decorated Dr. Gracias shares a lot of personal views. He keeps up with modern terminology including the last line in his book about the modern "DINS syndrome (double income no sex)" families with no or only a few kids. Kind Regards, Gilbert Lawrence PS: The book has no list of references, and certainly not that I would expect one. Can a Hinduism scholar please reference me the period when the "Rig Veda in the Purusha Sukta" and the "Manusmriti" mentioned in the book were written? Thanks _____________________________________________ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list ([email protected])
