For THE PRINTED WORD ---------------------------------------------------------- Hidden Old Goa
Frederick Noronha looks at some new and recent books on Old Goa, birds, 'Christian' India, and more.... Old Goa's historicity is perhaps inadequately appreciated by the average visitor to Goa, hiding as it is behind low-priced entry tickets to ASI museums and strict no-permission-for-photography rules in the same area. Recently, by accident, one came across a book, which also seems to be hidden, and not adequately noticed. 'Old Goa' is part of the Archaeological Survey of India's world heritage series publications. It is priced at Rs 99, and comprises 96 pages in colour. 'Old Goa' was put together by the Good Earth Publications Team. Other books in this world heritage series focus on the Qutb Minar, Humayun's Tomb, Fatehpur Sikri, Khajuraho, Konarak, Sanchi, Ajanta, Mahabalipuram and Hampi. Published in 2004, it's ISBN number is 81-87780-20-7 and it has an introduction apart from a focus on the monuments of Old Goa. Also included are chapters on the archaeological museum and an appendix on St Francis Xavier. This can be purchased from the ASI counter at the ASI museum. The latter "has been functioning since 1964 in the abandoned convent of St Francis of Assisi" and has Brahmanical (sic) sculptures, hero stones, sati-stones of the early and late medieval periods, portraits, coins and currency, revenue and court fee stamps, wooden and bronze sculptures and even armoury of the Portuguese period. A book like this could do with more visibility! GIRLS IN GREEN Past-pupils of St Mary's Convent in Mapusa are active chatting online (actually, emailing) via the GreenChillies Net. See http://chilliesnet.notlong.com Some time back, they opted to go ahead with a small book of their writing. Opting for the print-on-demand model was the way out. Using this approach, one can print only a few copies at a time. One place where you can print this is dogearsetc.com/cinnamonteal/ 'Girls in Green' (pp. 136, Rs 200, available via Arlette Azavedo, 2263091) was therefore printed in just a limited run of 45 copies in all. It has 28 essays from past-pupils of that school in Mapusa. Amidst nostalgia and reminiscences, there are also some interesting points related to education. TINY TWO Two tiny books here. The first is a modest 2005 telephone directory put out by the Goa University. Such book(lets) make it easier to stay in touch and find useful people. Is there an update of the same? One restriction though is that these unpriced books are not easy to obtain or buy. Perhaps it's time for the institutions behind them to seriously put such work out on the Net for a free download. TimeOut Mumbai has meanwhile come out with this tiny brochure called 'Goa In Your Pocket'. It folds up to almost become a pocket-sized booklet. On one side, it contains a map. On the other, it recommends restaurants and places to stay, along the coastal belt. Brief, to-the-point, and fairly upmarket. Sponsor-driven too. 'NOT FOR SALE' "Not for sale" proclaims the accomodation directory of Goa's Department of Tourism. How does one get it then? You probably need to find your way to the Goa tourism office, which is anyway more difficult to locate than a suitable hotel in Goa! Eighty pages, containing largely statistical information and phone contacts (also room rates), this could be a useful book. If only it was made available in cyberspace, and not just handed out on printed paper -- which, includentally, also costs the taxpayer in Goa to print. "ROMAN" GOA 'Rebels and Outcasts' is a fairly old book, that carries as its subtitle "a journey through Christian India". Needless to say, "Christian India" is just a tiny part of this vast subcontinent. But author Charlie Pye-Smith has some interesting stories to narrate indeed. Published by Viking in 1997, I picked up a copy of this 304-page hardbound book some time ago from Broadway on 18th June Road at a "special price" of Rs 200. Pye-Smith's book explains the concept thus: Many people think of India as a Hindu country with a huge Muslim minority in which Christianity has a tiny presence introduced by colonialism. Yet today there are dozens of different Christian denominations, a superb architectural heritage and perhaps 30 million believers -- from gold merchants and Anglo-Indians to half-starved fishermen and 'untouchable', illiterate coolies. This enthralling new book uncovers their extraordinary hidden heritage. This book visits Calcutta, Kerala, Madras, Mangalore, "the great cities" of Delhi and Bombay, and even "monkey-invested" Shimla, the summer capital of the British Raj. Of course there's the mandatory visit to Goa too. Nearly 40-pages are spent to focus on "The Roman Conquests", which starts with a trip down Panjim, a chat at Chicky-Chocky, a fascinating run-into Fr Cosme Costa of Pilar, and encountering saffronism here, among other things. One felt transported back in time when the author writes about his encounter with Fr. Ubaldo and Fr. Willie da Silva ("a tall, pale-skinned, wavy-haired man of exceptional good looks"). The latter some time ago taught at the Goa University and lived at the Jesuit House. More than anything, the writer's almost tongue-in-cheek style of narration is both amusing and entertaining. BIRDS AND MORE Anthony Carvalho's "World of Birds" was originally handwritten in Roman-script Konkani, and has been translated into English by John Pereira of Cuelim, Cansaulim. Publishers Acee Publications is based at Quepem. It appears to be linked to the author. The 78 page book is priced at Rs 45 and the first edition of 2004 came out with 1250 copies. The author was a seafarer, and has been deeply interested in wildlife, particularly birds. Says Walter Menezes of Quepem, writing on the back-cover: "This unique book gives a perfect description of the brilliant plumaged birds of Goa ...." Simple printing, some colour pages, and it could be a useful backgrounder where one could get started in the topic. -- Feedback welcome: [EMAIL PROTECTED] or 2409490 or 9970157402 (after 1 pm)