“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.”
