Recently, Engineer Agnelo Gomes, a long time and active Goanetter in its early days, passed away. He was based in New Jersey, USA. In remembrance, Goanet shares a review which Gomes wrote of a novel which came out some time back, and authored by another Goanetter.
Reviewed by Agnelo Gomes P.E. ----------------------------------------------------------- Novel: The Sixth Night Author: Silviano C. Barbosa Review by: Agnelo Gomes P.E. Engineer, Founder, Goan Causes ----------------------------------------------------------- 'Sotve Ratri', or the Sixth Night, is a lovely and well-written novel written by Senhor Silviano Barbosa from Canada. It is his excellent portrayal of the Goan Catholic culture and traditions during the Portuguese regime in rural Goa. It depicts the village of Cuncolim as an example. Basically, in Goa, if you grew up in one village it is almost as if you have grown up in all villages, with so many common traditions shared among them. A fine description of village life is brought to life in this novel. It is reminiscent of childhood happenings of those Goans who were born and bred in Goa, and for those brought up [amidst Goan communities] in other parts of India like Bombay or abroad, in East Africa or Portuguese Africa of at Beira, in Moçambique or in Portugal, UK, Australia, North America USA, Canada. The author has touched lot of places. In Bombay, he tells us how tarvottis (the Goan seafarers) lived in the kudds (temporary club-house boarding homes for Goans in Bombay) and how people lived in kottris. Barbosa has connected all towns in Bombay or Goa with a sequence of stories, wherever Linda's -- the protagonist's -- family had to go to make ends meet. For those Goans who grew up outside Goa: While you read this novel, all the childhood growing up that you might have missed in Goa, will appear item by item. As you turn the pages of The Sixth Night/Sottieche Rati, you'll come across all the four seasons and events unfolding during each season in Goa. You name it -- festa, batismo, weddings, the kind of food prepared, sorpottel, vindallo, renchado pomfrett or bangde, and how it's prepared using all hand-made tools like the rogdoe, atore, adorre (granite stones). All types of fruits that you get during each season in Goa, you will find here too. You will read about famous places and restaurants connected with the story-line. You'll read about carnival, about cocottes, etc. Do you know the link between Dona Paula and the Gaspar Dias love story? In which Dona Paula, a rich lady jumped off a rocky cliff and committed suicide, because she was not allowed to marry Gaspar Dias? Read this novel the way these stories are narrated by Silviano. He will take your breath away, what a beautiful romance between an unsophisticated country girl and a Portuguese paclo (White), Carlos Soares, a diplomat for Portuguese missions in various embassies all over the world. It's all about Sottieche Ratri story. After a child is born, going by the old Goan tradition, popular belief of both Hindus and Catholics in Goa, holds that the sixth night is very important. It is held that the goddess of the Sixth Night approaches the child and writes his or her destiny by night, on the infant's forehead, in a way that no one can change the fate of the child, whether good or bad. The child will follow that path until its soul departs. This Sotve Ratri is so important that the household welcomes the goddess in the hope that she will shower good blessings on the child. Good food is prepared to entertain the goddess of the night on which she is believed to arrive. The Hindus bring some special flower, fullam of sottieche ratichem, special zollo buds which are white with reddish pigmentation mostly grown by the banks of Rio de Sal (Sal river in Salcete). This zollo blossoms that nigh with special aroma. The xitdhi -- sweet rice boiled with godd (jaggery) -- is served to all people in the neighborhood. * * * SILVANO BARBOSA'S STORY is about a child named Linda Cardoso, born in Cuncolim to a tarvotti family of a 'lower' caste called Sudra, the brown-skinned people. The 'upper' caste in Cuncolim is made up of Chardo, the light-skin people who have a dominance over this 'lower' caste. The author describes, something I learned for the first time reading this novel, that the Sudras were the original inhabitants (gaunkar). And that the so-called gaunkar who exist now are not from Goa; but they are instead Aryans from Central Asia, a violent and bossy people, whereas Sudras believed in equality among their people. Once you finish reading this book, you may not like those high-caste rednecks, for the way they treated Linda's family, as she too obviously didn't like them either. One thing this girl knew very well was that the only way she could climb up the ladder was through higher education and by ascending those steps of Altinho leading to the Liceu of Afonso de Albuquerque. She was a beautiful young lady with long hair and a high pony tail. She grew up alright in Cuncolim, but she was determined to break through the caste barrier, what with its ugly head of horrible inequality that existed there and promoted by even the so-called religious hierarchy of the times. Her father, as a tarvotti, had travelled the seven seas, satto samandar par, and gained a lot of knowledge. He also observed that Europeans did not believe in the caste system. Once, when he was on leave after working for two years on a viage on the tarvar, the padre vigar asked him to give a speech to the Chardo confraternity members of church. In this speech he highly advocated that the caste system is evil, that all Sudras should be treated as equals and that equal recognition be given to them in all church services. The day after the speech, the high-caste Cuncolkars ransacked his house; his wife and poor Linda were very scared. Word in town was that he had to recanted over his earlier sentiments favouring equality. The only good Sudra is a dead Sudra, they said. Young Linda took a note of this caste hatred which existed against her kind and determined that one day she would fight to bring equality to her people. As time passed, Linda grew up into a beautiful lady. In the Liceu, she finished with top honors in the fifth year. She was still only sixteen, and a boarder at the Institute de Piedade, the hostel for girls, well known as a Catholic institute run by madres and the Mother Superior. That institute was located near Mandovi Hotel. By the way, the Lar de Estudantes for boys was well known too. The Instituto de Piedade was mostly inhabited by illustrated Goan children of batkars, the Catholic landed gentry. A village girl of a Sudra family felt very insecure there, quite like a fish out of water. Linda was upset during her early days at the Institute. The other rich Brahmin girls called themselves Goan-Portuguese, spoke fluent Portuguese, dressed well, applied lipstick and make up. Linda felt that the treatment she received there was as if she never even existed in the Institute. Her only true friend was the nice riverside breeze, or the xittol varem of Mandovi doriachem, just like in the song sung more recently by a group called Suriya de Portugal. In spite of that, she managed to get one male friend named Rama Naik, who helped her with her Mathematics and one female friend named Heidi, a hooker's daughter from Baina. Her German father had made his colvont gurvar or impregnated his mistress, and so a filha de putta was born. But she turned out to be a real traitor as their friendship grew up. Once you read the novel you may not like Heidi too much. The day of the ceremony had approached. It was time to give away the top prize of merit, and, of course, that went to Linda. General Vassalo e Silva, o Governador de Goa, was invited as the chief guest to give away prizes and the ceremony held at the five-storey Hotel Mandovi. Linda was quite nervous as she had never been to the Hotel Mandovi. When her name was called out, she approached the podium to receive her certificate of honour. The immediate news about Linda, a simple village girl, beating all the odds to be the Numero Uno at Liceu had appeared in local newspapers such as A Vida, O Heraldo, Diario de Noite and A Vanguarda. Why not The Navhind Times? Because The Navhind Times did not exist during the Portuguese regime. Up until now there had been no time for romance for sixteen-year-old Linda. But, from here onwards, everything goes downhill for poor querida Linda. As you read the novel further, you would need to carry a box of tissues.... The event of the Sottieche Ratri unfolds here, on a very sad note. Governador Vassalo e Silva had a certificate of merit signed for Linda that he had forgotten to hand over. So, he sends his male secretary to complete the errand. A tall, six-foot handsome young Europeu paclo approaches Linda and hands over the certificate on behalf of Governador Silva. Linda was overwhelmed, and quite murgottlem by the good looks and personality of this handsome paclo, named Carlos Soares. In no time, Linda was in the seventh heaven, as if God had sent down an angel from heaven exclusively for her. Carlos Soares introduced himself, his duties to the Governador and to his father-nation of Portugal. He told Linda he knew everything about her after reading the local newspapers. Carlos says to Linda, "You're very beautiful Senhorita Linda! Or, should I say, Linda Senhorita? I would like to see you again." Linda had never fallen in love. She was only sixteen. Her mind, until now, had been always focussed on studies. Carlos was only a little older than her. But the two were perfectly meant for each other. The next day, Carlos came on his BMW motorbike to the Liceu. All eyes were focused on both of them, a White Portugues Europeu dating a brown girl. Carlos said to Linda, "I'll give you a ride to the Institute Piedade Hostel." Linda replied, "I like to go on ride with you. my love, but please drop me couple blocks from the Hostel, otherwise there will be gossip and Mother Superior may even have me expelled." That night, after Linda felt the warmth of Carlos on the motorbike, she couldn't sleep at all, she was completely in love, turning and tossing over her body, she wanted to see Carlos more and more. She was also afraid of what her mother and neighbors in Cuncolim would say about Goan girl having parode com paclo. Besides she was only sixteen and the paclo was a foreigner. But she was in love, she would not care for those village people, who anyway despised her kind of people and Carlos' love was sincerely honest and he was very sensible. Linda was daring even to confront her mother over her love to Carlos. One day Linda and Carlos took a ride to Cuncolim to see Linda's mother. Carlos stopped his bike in front of their house in Cuncolim. At once, all the neighbors started peeping to see Carlos Paclo with Linda in love. Linda introduced Carlos to her mother. "Mãe this is Carlos Soares, I love him very much." Her mother was shocked, she was thinking in her mind he was not their kind, that he was a foreigner. She told Carlos that her mother spoke only Konkani. Linda had trained Carlos to speak a few words in Konkani. Linda's mother sent someone to get some cerveja for Carlos and prepared some sausages. She knew pacles were used to eating sausages, because we've learnt from them all these manners how to treat our guests in a fair way even if we did not like them. Civilized manners are a part of our Goan culture. Linda stepped away from Carlos for a little bit and walked straight to the kitchen to see her mother's reaction. Her mother admonished Linda and ordered her to break the relationship, because she was simply too young to begin with this romance. Her mother was wise and knew this was not right, well in advance; but Linda was determined to ignore her mother's advice. Linda was completely in love with Carlos and vice-versa. Carlos took her in posh restaurants and to the Governor's Palace at the Cabo. Everything was beautiful for both of them. Linda started missing classes of the sexto ano at Liceu. Then came her birthday. Carlos invited her for a birthday dinner and booked a room at the Mandovi Hotel. She sipped some wine and both of them had one too many; they were also intoxicated with love. Carlos took her to bed and held her in his arms. Linda was completely out of control, she could not say no to Carlos, she lay next to him and they made love many times that night. They broke an innocent barrier that of forbidden love, which Goan cultured girls hold sacredly very dear to their hearts. Poor Linda was all confused; she never liked some of our Goan traditions especial that of caste system, so she dared. My wife Maria Imaculda, on reading the book, disagreed with Linda's behavior. She was not exactly mad with Linda for having an affair with Paclo. Although pacles are foreigners, they may not be Goan born, but we've a strong relationship with Portugal, as Goa as filha de Portugal. Her father was in the Portuguese military. Maria Imaculda agreed that there is nothing wrong having an affair with Portugues pacle in itself, but as a Goan girl one should not break our good old traditions by having sex before marriage. I told her not to forget that this fiction, a novel, and it should not be read as a real story. I think Goan women have a different culture from that the men have. We have to respect their feelings as women. As for me, I've nothing to say against Linda's behavior, they both knew very well it was not one night stand. Linda becomes pregnant with Carlos' baby. Subsequently, India invaded Goa, not long later. Carlos and other Europeans had to leave Goa for Portugal, they were afraid of the advancing India Army. Goa was evacuated before 18 December 1961. The Americans and NATO surveillance had warned Portugal about the movement of Indian advancing army. Carlos was appointed in-charge of the mission to safely evacuate Europeans from Goa through Karachi, Pakistan. In the process, Linda lost complete touch with Carlos, although he had left his forwarding address. Linda never got Carlos' letters, as her best friend Heidi took away letters from Carlos and did not pass them on to Linda. Poor Linda was now pregnant, without Carlos by her side. She was only sixteen and pregnant and still in school. As a single mother, she couldn't raise the baby and go to school. Her mother suggested to her that after the delivery of the baby, she should hand over the infant for adoption to nuns at Provedoria de Assistencia Publica. Poor Linda delivers the baby and hesitantly hands the baby to the nuns. She loved her baby very much. She has second thoughts, but finally did what was best for both of them. She was devastated about this deal, she felt like nursing the baby but the baby was not in her bed with her. Heidi eventually marries Carlos in Germany, as the story progresses months later. It's not over yet. Baby Lucinda Carlos, Linda and Carlos Soares -- all three -- are nowhere together for about 17 years, widely apart from each other. The Sottie Ratri Goddess is however still working to get them together. You've to read this novel to see how. It's getting more and more exciting, you will not give the book a rest, lot of tears will roll down your eyes if you're soft-hearted. Senhor Siviano Barbosa created this novel with a beautiful touch. You will learn from this novel about many aspects of the charming Goan culture with its rich traditions. Author Barbosa was very fair to all people whom he portrays, and careful not to touch the hard feelings of people. I would rate this novel a "10" on a scale of one to 10, an excellent presentation. I congratulate him for his work and recommend all my Goan brethren to support this Goan cause and order this novel and read its 314 pages or give it as a lasting gift to your friends. You will never miss Goa from any part of the world that you live in. The hard cover book costs only $20 dollars plus delivery. You can order from Goa RAJ Books, Toronto, Canada Or email to place an order to: goarajbooks at yahoo.com Or goaraj at rogers.com Or check out website: http://ca.oocities.com/goa...@rogers.com/ [The author's current email appears to be goa...@hotmai.com or WhatsApp +91-90756 80937] https://www.oocities.org/goa...@rogers.com/reviews/bookreviewbyagnelogomes.htm ### Goanet Reader is edited by Frederick Noronha fredericknoron...@gmail.com