Tag: Goa Heritage

International

Goa’s Heritage Shines in Leicester as Historic Tiatr “Devachen Naun Jietam Hanv” Packs Braunstone Civic Hall

Tanisha Cardozo

A landmark cultural moment unfolded on 19 October 2025, when the historic Goan tiatr “Devachen Naun Jietam Hanv”, directed by acclaimed Goan theatre stalwart Mariano Fernandes, was staged at the Braunstone Civic Hall, Leicester, to a packed audience. The event marked one of the largest showcases of Goan performing arts in the United Kingdom in recent years.

The tiatr featured an ensemble of 22 Goan artists flown in from Goa, led by legendary performers Prince Jacob and Varsha Usgaokar. Their moving performances, infused with humor, emotion, and melody, earned standing ovations from the audience, many of whom represented generations of the Goan diaspora living in the UK.

This initiative received strong local support from Espirito Roy Sequeira and Steven Gonsalves, passionate promoters of Konkani theatre in Leicester. Through their dedication, audiences abroad were able to experience the richness of Goan tiatr in its authentic form — complete with live music, kantaram (songs), and social storytelling.

The event became more than just a stage performance; it was a heartfelt celebration of identity, language, and cultural pride. The audience echoed the phrase “Konkani ulloi, Leicester fuloi” (When Konkani flourishes, Leicester blossoms), a fitting tribute to the enduring connection between Goa and its global community.

Festacar Marius Fernandes, who spent many years in Leicester before returning to Goa, described the moment as deeply moving. “It was emotional to hear our mother tongue Konkani fill the hall in this city that has become a second home to so many Goans,” he said. “This tiatr is more than a performance—it’s a living bridge of memory, identity, and belonging. When we keep Konkani alive, we keep our heritage alive.”

The success of “Devachen Naun Jietam Hanv” highlights the growing effort to preserve and promote Konkani theatre traditions beyond Goa, strengthening cultural ties through the universal language of art. As lights dimmed on the final act, one truth resonated deeply — the Goan spirit continues to shine brightly, no matter where in the world it finds a stage.

Human Interest

Sanjeev Sardesai Warns: “Forget Your Heritage, and It Will Be Wiped Out”

Tanisha Cardozo

“If one doesn’t respect their heritage and lets it slip away, then there is every possibility that a foreign culture comes in and wipes out the original culture,” said Sanjeev Sardesai, heritage promoter and cultural storyteller, during a compelling session of the Centenary Lecture Series organised by Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias in Panaji.

Speaking on the theme ‘Unknown Goa, Unknown Goenkar’, Sardesai underlined that heritage is not just about the physical — it includes every intangible tradition passed down over generations. From culinary styles and farming rituals to language and daily customs, he stressed that ignoring these cultural markers leaves communities vulnerable to cultural erosion.

To illustrate, Sardesai referred to a carved stone outside a cemetery in St. Inez that lies neglected despite its historic value. He lamented the lack of brochures and credible information for the millions of tourists who come to Goa but leave without a deeper understanding of its soul.

Sardesai traced Goa’s cultural mosaic with historical anecdotes, including how the Portuguese were aided by the villagers of Taleigao in 1510 after nearly perishing at sea. That single act led to a yearly harvest ritual still observed today — a living tradition that has endured five centuries.

He highlighted Goa’s unique natural heritage as well. From the flame-throated bulbul (Goa’s state bird) to the Terminalia eliptica or crocodile bark tree, Sardesai connected ecology to cultural identity. He shared that this particular tree can provide drinking water in emergencies — a little-known fact that hints at its life-sustaining powers.

Turning to monuments, Sardesai explored the Immaculate Conception Church in Panaji and how it came to house the second heaviest bell in Goa. Originally from the St. Augustine’s Convent, the bell was temporarily housed at the Aguada Fort before making its way to Panaji when the lighthouse was modernized. These silent relics, he argued, have powerful stories that remain largely untold.

Sardesai concluded with a call to action: Goans must fiercely protect both their monuments and their memories. “Until and unless our roots are strong, you will not get a good tree, nor will you get good fruits,” he said. “You must understand that heritage is something which is part of our life.”

Films

Goa to Spotlight Its Soul Through Cinema at Heritage for Sustainability Film Festival

Tanisha Cardozo

Cinema is about storytelling, and on September 28, 2025, Goa will tell its story through 13 compelling films and documentaries at the Heritage for Sustainability Film Festival. Organized by non-profit Heritage First Goa (HFG) in collaboration with the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), SKAL International Goa, and Goa Tourism, the one-day festival will be hosted at the ESG auditorium in Panaji as part of the state’s extended World Tourism Day celebrations.

The festival brings together a curated selection of films created by Goan filmmakers, each reflecting the intricate connections between Goa’s cultural heritage, its natural environment, and the sense of belonging rooted in its land. Titles like Bread & Belonging, Islands on the Island, The Birdman of Chorao, Kharvan, I Am Nothing, and Caazu promise to engage audiences in meaningful dialogue through cinematic expression. These narratives will be brought to life not only through the screen but also via panel discussions and live interactions with the filmmakers themselves.

According to Heta Pandit, Director of Heritage First Goa, the festival is a way to deepen the understanding of Goa beyond its party and beach image. “Goa gets lakhs of tourists every year. We want to highlight that Goa is more than just a commodity — it is fragile, layered, and deserving of respect,” she said. Filmmaker Gasper De Souza believes the festival will give younger voices an important platform, while Sonia Filinto, director of Bread & Belonging, emphasizes the need for conversations that bring together people who care about Goa’s future.

The Heritage for Sustainability Film Festival offers a unique blend of storytelling, reflection, and community engagement. Tickets are priced affordably at ₹250 for general admission and ₹150 for students, with a flexible ‘pay as you like’ option to encourage wider participation and support for HFG’s future initiatives.

As part of World Tourism Day, this film festival is not just an event—it is a call to view Goa with fresh eyes and to preserve what makes it truly Goan.

Events in Goa

A Drink of Story and Spice: Hansel Vaz Reclaims the Soul of Feni

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

Panaji, Goa – July 2025: In the quiet gallery halls of the Museum of Goa, something potent was brewing. It wasn’t just a drink — it was a tale of fire, migration, alchemy, and rebirth. At his immersive session titled ‘Savour Flavour: Feni’s Aromatic Journey’, Hansel Vaz, the founder of Cazulo Feni, unraveled the forgotten and often misrepresented history of feni, Goa’s iconic double-distilled spirit.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DMrmzZGNfLl/

For too long, feni has been dismissed — misunderstood in pop culture and sidelined from serious conversations around craft spirits. Vaz, a geologist-turned-distiller, known widely as the feni dotor, is here to change that narrative.

“Feni has been the most abused spirit in storytelling,” Vaz said. “It’s time to unlearn the clichés and rediscover it as a drink born of migration, spice trade, alchemy and medicinal knowledge.”

Through a blend of live tasting, storytelling, and historical exposition, Vaz mapped feni’s lineage back to the South American spice trade, explaining how chillies and cashews came to Goa by accident — but the transformation of the cashew into feni was an act of brilliant, local innovation.

Among the session’s highlights was Vaz’s deep dive into ancient techniques like fat-washing, botanical distillation, and the use of sarasparilla — an ayurvedic root — in making Dukshiri, a medicinal feni infusion once believed to relieve muscular aches.

“These aren’t just drinks,” Vaz reminded the audience. “They are rooted in history that wakes you up at dawn. Literally.”

The stories weren’t just historical — they were deeply personal. Vaz shared how a group of friends awoke unusually refreshed after drinking Dukshiri, a reflection of its medicinal roots. The anecdote wasn’t just quirky — it was a call to look deeper into what we’ve forgotten and what’s worth reviving.

He urged Goa’s emerging generation of distillers, chefs, bartenders, and foragers to innovate without diluting the drink’s essence. “We need to grow this movement — not bottle it for the masses, but experiment, preserve, and collaborate,” he said.

Vaz’s vision of feni isn’t limited to its taste. He sees it as an ecosystem — a drink made in conversation with nature, history, and local community traditions. A spirit not just of celebration, but of heritage.

Cazulo Feni, under Vaz’s leadership, continues to push the envelope — restoring faith in a drink that was once medicine, then myth, and now modernised through conscious revival.

With each pour, feni is reclaiming its place — not just on the shelf, but in Goa’s evolving cultural identity.

Human Interest

Goa’s Freedom Fighters Remembered at Aguad Port & Jail Complex on June 18

allycaralgoa

Aguada, Goa | June 18, 2025
In a moving tribute to the spirit of sacrifice and patriotism, Rohidas Dessai, President of the Goa Freedom Fighters Association, visited the historic Aguad Port & Jail Complex on June 18 to honor his former associates—freedom fighters who played a pivotal role in Goa’s liberation movement. The event was held at the Core Block, where the names of incarcerated freedom fighters are proudly displayed as a lasting testament to their courage.

Honoring a Shared Legacy

Standing solemnly before the engraved names of fellow freedom fighters, Dessai paid homage to the individuals who, like him, stood against colonial rule and helped shape the destiny of Goa. The visit highlighted not only the personal stories of sacrifice but also the enduring legacy of those who contributed to the state’s liberation from Portuguese rule in 1961.

“These walls hold our stories. They are more than just names—they are voices of courage, unity, and relentless pursuit of freedom,” Dessai remarked during the tribute.

Families Reconnect with History

The tribute was made more poignant as family members of Goa’s freedom fighters also visited the complex. For many, it was a deeply emotional experience—seeing the Aguad Interactive Museum, which brings to life the struggle and resilience of those who participated in the freedom movement.

From historic photographs to immersive exhibits, the museum serves as a vital link between past and present, educating younger generations about the price paid for independence and the values it enshrines.

“Visiting this site, where our father was once imprisoned, makes us feel proud and connected to our roots,” said one family member during the visit.

Aguad Complex as a Living Memorial

Once a colonial-era prison, the Aguad Port & Jail Complex has been transformed into a cultural heritage site and memorial, preserving the stories of those who were imprisoned for their political beliefs and actions during Goa’s long struggle for liberation. The Core Block—the heart of the tribute zone—now serves as a silent guardian of these memories.

The Goa government, in collaboration with the Department of Archives and Archaeology, continues to preserve and showcase this site as a symbol of resilience and national pride.