Dear Augusto, I am also gald that I waited in putting this out since now I have seen a couple of comments, particularly happy to read the rare Jose Pereira's post--and that too on Joseph Furtado. It was invigorating to read Furtado questioning identity as in--Indian and Goan. Rigtly so. Perhaps the words "Faltam assuntos? Certamente não"[Are subjects lacking ? Certainly not]!"-- is something that we should carry forward in our minds when we hear the often repeated, "What can I do?" Perhaps that could be the title of a book on his collated works. But, having read some of JFs works, put a small post on GN on 02/18/08, I was hapy to see your piece provide a context to his life. Thank you.
This will happen. Lets talk face to face next month. In the meanwhile trust me and collate the works. Lets also talk about a preface and accompanying essays. Other than you, are there serious Joseph Furtado scholars OR rather--have people focused on his work. I am aware that JF appears in a few anthologies. I have the one by R. Parthasarathy. I do not feel the statue belongs in Pilerne. Thats just my though. It also does not necessarily belong in the city. It would be ideal if a mainstream publisher or two was given first dibs. Lets bring Hartman de Souza in on this. (Hartman scream if you want out--which I doubt). Perhaps VM would be interested too in being a part of this. I will talk to him. + + + + + + + + Dear People, What do you think about making this happen. A response on your part will not be construed as a invitation to solicit money, other than to see whether it resonates with your sense of being Goan. Quite cheap really. However, contribution will not be turned away. It would be good to hear from those who are interested in contributing, either for the statue or the book or both. In any case I would like to make this possible. Lets hear what the goodwill sounds like. More later. venantius j pinto ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ > From: Goanet Reformat <[email protected]> > Subject: [Goanet] An Ode to Joseph Furtado (by Augusto Pinto) > > An Ode to Joseph Furtado > > By Augusto Pinto > [email protected] > > There is no statue to mark the memory of Joseph > Furtado. A pity; for his patrician looks and his > long flowing beard would have made a fine figure. > The house in Pilerne where he passed his childhood > is in ruins. Only a few of the oldest residents > have any recollection of him and fewer are aware > that he was one of the finest Indian English poets > of his time. We are fortunate that many of his > poems still survive -- though they only just > survive in a few slim volumes in Central Library's > rare book section. > > (del) > > One way of honouring Joseph Furtado would be to erect a > statue to him. But the poet himself would surely have > appreciated it more if a fresh collection of his best works > were brought out and bought by every lover of Goa. > > However, who will pay the printer? >
