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The Rape of Goa - A photo documentary
by
Rajan P. Parrikar
Venue: Menezes Braganza Art Gallery, Panjim, May 21-24, 2008
http://www.parrikar.org/misc/doc-notice.pdf
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Dear Goankars,
As per Avelino's e-mail below :-
Every Mumbaikar will tell you about the "builders lobby" who are eyeing all
buildings, dilapidated or otherwise in financially viable areas, to make a
"quick buck".
The trustees of these Goan clubs, if honest, should immediately write to MHADA
and ask them to repair the building, where these clubs are located.
Regards,
Jane
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From: "D'Souza, Avelino" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [Goanet] Goan clubs at Dhobi Talao's Jer Mahal
Club class
Radhika Raj
The Goan clubs at Dhobi Talao's Jer Mahal have been around for over a
century, but now their crumbling rooms face the threat of demolition, finds
Radhika Raj. Praxis Remedios is one of the residents of a Goan club at Jer
Mahal. "These clubs are boarding houses for people from Goa," he explains.
"Every village has a club for its residents here. It is a mini-Goa in
Mumbai." Remedios has been living in his club for over twenty years, but
still has a difficult time explaining his address. "If I tell people in the
city of our club, they ask if there is a swimming pool there," he smiles.
Sandwiched between city stalwarts like St Xaviers College and Metro cinema,
Jer Mahal bears the distinction of being one of Mumbai's most beautiful
chawls and a Goan cultural hub, accommodating 50 Goan clubs in its premises.
Jer Mahal however is facing the threat of demolition because of its
location. "Jer Mahal is a Grade III structure and hence can be pulled down
if proven that it cannot be restored," says conservationist architect Abha
Lambah.
The oldest Goan clubs can be traced back to 1857. Later, the Second World
War and an acute food shortage brought people to the newly developing city
of Bombay. Goans were employed as cooks, clerks, musicians and seamen.
Dinshaw Mahal, one of the wings of Jer Mahal contains Goan clubs all the way
up to the top floor. Each floor accommodates 3-4 clubs, along with a single
kitchen and a bathroom. The rent or the baddem is as low as Rs200 per month.
