Passionate and Unrestrained
Author: José Inácio Candido de Loyola alias Fanchu Loyola
A THINKER TRANSLATED:
Noted son of Goa made available to its people
By Dale Luis Menezes
Writings on Goa – in any language English, Konknni or Portuguese – are
seldom popular and discussed or debated. They are published, they adorn
the bookshelves of Goa’s scant bookstores for a while and eventually
they are forgotten and if Goa’s history is recorded in Portuguese then
we should consider it lost owing to the meager translations and the lack
of command of Goans in that language. The reasons
for such misfortune are many and varied; this however, is not the place
for their enumeration or discussion. The fact that I am reviewing a book
published in 2007 should be a case in point.
ON FANCHU LOYOLA’S WRITINGS
It was a few months ago that while in Panjim, I picked up a copy of José
Inácio Candido de Loyola alias Fanchu Loyola’s essays titled Passionate
and Unrestrained translated by journalist Alexandre Moniz Barbosa.
Personally, I had heard of Fanchu Loyola as someone associated with
Goa’s freedom struggle but anything more; I was blissfully unaware.
Fanchu Loyola wrote in Portuguese – a language in which he had mastery
and fluency. He was an outspoken and fierce critic of the Portuguese
government – the one under Salazar especially. He was arrested and
incarcerated in Fort Peniche jail in Portugal for fifteen years.
The writings of Loyola reflect problems society faced such as
alcoholism, casteism and corruption. Reading through his essays, one
gets the impression that what really bothered Fanchu Loyola – apart from
the corruption in the administration – was alcoholism and casteism:
evils that still plague the Goan society.
The essays are divided in two parts: Socio-Religious and
Socio-Political. In the former section, Fanchu Loyola’s essays are
deeply rooted in Catholic teaching. However, he was not communal but
rather advocated the universal principles of love and brotherhood
(enshrined in Christianity as well as other religions). It was also
interesting to read his musings about the Universe – its origin and
purpose. I should particularly mention one of his essays on the New
Year’s Eve where he personifies the “Old Year” as an old man who walks
into his office and when the clock strikes twelve (the New Year) the old
year vanishes into thin air. The old man is a gentleman (of British
temperament, to borrow Fanchu Loyola’s words) and cordial; he makes
Loyola realize the importance of Time. In this essay Loyola displays
innovation and imagination.
He also shows a deep understanding of such abstract concepts like
happiness and renunciation, humility and charity and the like. He was a
seeker of truth; he wanted to know the mysteries of the universe. He had
a deep love and compassion for the poor. More than anything, Fanchu
Loyola has to be singled out as a social reformer.
In the Socio-Political section Loyola is as eloquent as in the
Socio-Religious one. He never hesitated to take sides in the elections
of October 1926, as he asked the people to elect Mr. Mariano Martins
over Mr. Prazeres da Costa. Fanchu Loyola also expresses some terse and
stern views on the Press Laws and the colonial politics. He minces no
words in pointing out the flaws and short-comings of the Portuguese
administration.
ON BARBOSA AND THE TRANSLATION
I must confess that my first impulse in picking the book off the
bookshelf was not so much due to the indomitable personality of Loyola
but because it was a translation of a potential supplement to the
history of Goa. As a person interested in Goa’s past (and a student of
archaeology also), I regret for not being able to read the voluminous
records left by Portuguese, who were arguably the best record keepers in
this country. Many a time, a (present day) historian of Goa is left at
the mercy of an English translation of a Portuguese record.
The reason why Alexandre Moniz Barbosa should deserve our praises and
approval is because he has used his fluency in Portuguese and English to
make available certain writings that otherwise would have gathered dust
for posterity! Not many Goans know Portuguese and under such
circumstances we just hope that the tribe of the likes of Barbosa grows
and prospers. I too had the experience of finding a long lost writer and
writings (in this case it was my uncle) and the joy is exhilarating when
the task is completed! (See my article Destiny’s Book, GT dated
28.08.2008) May I suggest to you Mr. Barbosa, to take up translation as
a full-time hobby with a book to your credit every year? I hope that it
is not too much to ask!
Another thing that I liked about the book is the retention of the
original essays in Portuguese along with their English translation. In
my opinion it would reduce the lacunae caused due to arbitrary
interpretations as very often happens unwittingly in translations.
However, in the book the Portuguese text should have been distinguished
from the English text by using a different font.
Since the book is published in a dual language (which is a very
innovative approach in a translation having potential historical
significance) I have a suggestion for Mr. Khalil Ahmed of Broadway Book
Centre, under whose aegis this book is published, to market it in
Portuguese speaking countries as well. Goa needs the audience which it
rightfully deserves.
ON THE BOOK’S POTENTIAL FOR RAISING QUESTIONS FOR STUDY
Should we be content just by having the knowledge that Loyola was a
nationalist or should this book serve as a stepping stone stimulating
further research and to challenge conventionally held views? As informed
by the blurb of the book, Loyola chose to settle in Lisbon following the
Liberation of Goa. Can further research answer such questions as to why
he chose to immigrate to Portugal leaving his dear Goa, for whose
liberation he had so vehemently fought for?
Fanchu Loyola evidently had a good command on Portuguese and the
translation done by Barbosa lives up to that level. Neatly printed and
bound there is no doubt in my mind that a student (like me) as well as
any enthusiast of Goan history would find this book at once interesting.
Passionate and Unrestrained
Author: José Inácio Candido de Loyola alias Fanchu Loyola
Traslated by: Alexandre Moniz Barbosa
Publisher: Broadway Book Centre, Panjim, Goa, India.
Price: Rs. 225/-
[This review first appeared on Gomantak Times dated 21 July 2010].
http://waltermenezes.blogspot.com/
http://waltermenezes.blogspot.com/2010/07/thinker-translated-noted-son-of-goa.html
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