Fifty Years Later….. A Tribute

It was a very saddening sight. The entire area including buildings was covered with overgrown vegetation. What one could see of the buildings were the paintless and grey exteriors which seemed to cry about their desolate status. The gates were locked and there did not seem to be anyone around to enquire about what had happened. I walked around on the side road which led to the living quarters. The situation was no better there, either. Spotting a small bar restaurant next door, I peeped in and said Hello to the owner.

Dinesh Nayak was friendly enough and curious about what I was looking for. I told him that I had worked in the factory Fabril Gasosa from 1964 to 1966 and had come back 50 years later to see if any of my acquaintances were still around. He said that the place had gone to seed due to wrangling among the heirs and legal disputes. He said that his son knew the son of Joseph who was the Foreman who was there when I had joined. Unfortunately, Joseph had since passed away and Dinesh could not think of anyone who could tell me about what had happened. Dinesh was kind enough and did not accept payment for the Limcas I and my wife drank.

It was 1964 and I had come to visit my sister, who worked in Caranzalem, after completing my BE degree in Mysore, with an idea of getting a job. Erasmo Sequeira was a burly, handsome and likeable personality. When I approached him for a job, he subjected me to an almost grilling interview with a table lamp directly beamed at my face. Obviously, He thought I might do and took me in as an electrical engineer to work in their Coca Cola bottling plant in Borim. With a place to stay thrown in, I was ready to begin my sojourn in a land full of charm and friendship and great music.

Sequeiras were a well known family in Goa with Dr.Jack Sequeira, Erasmo’s father, active in politics. I remember travelling in Erasmo’s luxurious Citreon sedan with hydraulic suspension from Miramar where the family stayed to Borim. The factory was a pioneer in bottling Coca Cola in Goa. A plastic injection moulding plant and an automobile garage were added and the place was brimming with activity. Week-ends and holidays were filled with get-togethers over Urak and Feni. Always present was someone who could sing Konkani songs and played the guitar.

At the Navelim church I passed by on this trip, I could see a wedding party all dressed up and waiting for ceremonies to begin and immediately came to my mind that well known song

Aum Saiba Poltodi Voita, Damulya Laganakku Voita

Maka Saiba Vaat Daakhoi, Maka Saiba Vaatu Kalona

(Saheb, I am going across the river, going to a wedding

Show me the way Saheb, I do not know the way)

With Erasmo, I had the opportunity of meeting the famous cartoonist Mario Miranda and his architect brother Lucio Miranda, and saw their beautiful traditional house in Loutolim. Lucio besides being a partner in Kenkre and Miranda was a very talented singer who could sing Konkani songs as well as Portuguese Fados. I still recall his beautiful rendering of Manhã, tão bonita manhã in Portuguese as well as the soulful Konkani song ‘Daryachi Larari’. ‘Manhã’  became famous in English with Perry Como and Frank Sinatra singing ‘The Carnival’.

Konkani folk songs with the influence of Portuguese were a delight to listen to.

Madgaon Tovyagir, Tovyagir, Mezu Kelare Dhondu

Tachorek Chedu Nachoita Chedu Nachoita

Vankade Karoon Bhendu

Taka Ek Pakalo Choita Pakalo Choita

Burakan Ghaloon Tondu

(In Madgao, Dhondu got a table made

On top of it a girl danced

Bending her body

A Half-breed saw her

With his face thrust in the hole to see)

My colleague at the factory, Purushotham taught me a Hindu Konkani song.

Tya Disa Vadya Kade

Gadada Teensona

Manda Manda Vazata Aylee

Tuzeego Paizana

(On that day near the house

It was thick dusk

Softly, softly came the tinkling sound

Of your anklets)

My interest in music very quickly got me assimilated into the group around me. Cecil Lobo, Vasco Barbosa and the tipple loving Arvind Barros were great people to be with. Their company and friendship gave me the opportunity to attend weddings both Hindu and Christian in villages and towns and get exposed to the culture of the land. I learnt how Brahmin Christians would not marry into non-Brahmin Christian families. And even how Bardez(North) Brahmin Christians would not marry into Salcete(South) Brahmin Christian families and vice-versa. If they say Poloita in the north to mean ‘Sees’, people in the south would say Choita for the same meaning.

 I heard in churches the prayer. Santa Maria, Ora Pro Nobis (St.Mary, Pray for us) and the prayers in the temples at Mangesh, Mardol and Shanta Durga among others.

There were no bridges across Mandovi and Zuari rivers then and ferries were used to cross them. The wide rivers, undulating terrain and the greenery presented a soothing and enjoyable vista.

When I learnt of the problems at the factory and its closure, I couldn’t help remembering the song.

Undira Maza Mama

Ani Aum Sangta Tuka

Mazoricha Pila Lagin

Khel Manu Naka

Undir Mama Aaylo

Ani Kati Pinna Raylo

Ani Mazoricha Pila Teka

Ek Ghasant Khaylo

(My Mama the mouse

And I will tell you

With that cat from Mazorim

Don’t play around

Came Mama the mouse

Stayed under the cot

That cat from Mazorin

Ate him In a gulp)

Ya Ya Maiya Ya

Ya Ya Maiya Ya

It was indeed sad to see the factory where I had begun working in such a dilapidated condition. But the very visit brought back memories of a wonderful period amongst the lovely people of Goa. Though the effects of nostalgia, naivety of a raw graduate may result in a romanticized look back as halcyon days, there is no denying the magic and charm of the place and the wonderful time had.

As the song from Amche Noxib says,

Mogan Ason Boren, Jeevith Sukhi Khare

(If true love is around, living is happy for sure)

Susegath, Maaray.