GOAN  OVERSEAS  ASSOCIATION  VIC

 MELBOURNE  AUSTRALIA

EDITORIAL

                   Sports, Dance, Music and Gourmet Food: 

                  The Strengths of Goan Life.  C'est La Vie!     

The G.O.A. VIC has come a long way, and we have completed 25 years of fruitful association, in February 2004. 

We have regularly encouraged sports activity, which has been a part of good Goan life since the beginning of competitive Sport. Besides the annual sports competition, we have regularly fielded a Hockey Team for the VIC Hockey Championship in the Summer Term. Hockey had long been the mainstay of Goan Sport more so in Bombay and Africa which were our first migrant areas. There have been many players of international repute and so many have been Olympians as well. This can also be said of Athletics. 

But "Soccer" has always been the main sport in Goa! This obsession with football has spawned many skilled players and numerous international caliber players. Goa is one of the two champion States in Soccer (in India) even though we are the smallest (and tiny) State, the State team as well as the Goan Club teams have proved their mettle in national and other worthy championships. Goan Soccer Captains and other skilled players are admired and toasted around India. It puzzles me though as to why Goans in Australia, North America or Europe do not go for Soccer and do their thing!

Music both Western and Indian has flourished since time immemorial in Goa and among Goans, wherever they may be. From the initial violin classes at the hands of the Parish Maestro to 'Escola de Musica' and then to accomplishments in Bombay, Lisboa, London and Paris, Goans have excelled in this art of composing, singing and instrument rendering of Music.

Maestro Antonio de Figueiredo, born in Lutolim on 20/8/1903, was instrumental in organising and conducting the Goa Symphony Orchestra, perhaps the first of its kind in the whole of Asia. He also founded the "Academy de Musica", the first institution to impart Western Classical Music, in India. In his honour stands unveiled, his photograph at the "Kala Academy" in Panjim Goa. Also a framed manuscript of the Maestro's composition is in the museum at the 'Kala Academy'.

The Folk Songs and Dances are great! They are lively! The Song "Aum Saiba" is the very Soul of Goa. Goans play a major part in the Bombay Symphony Orchestra, the only such body between Tel Aviv and Tokyo, at the time. I believe there is now a Symphony Orchestra in Goa too. 

Above all, Goa has produced India's first Pop Superstar in Remo Fernandes. Remo composes and sings in Portuguese, Konkanni, English and now in Hindi. He plays a host of musical instruments. I think the community should invite him and his troupe to Australia for concerts in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. Any takers?? And there are many others too and much more that has been achieved in this field, than I can tell of.

I can't end on this note without mentioning the Tiatrists  of Goa , the actors and singers, who have excelled and do produce the second highest standard of Theatre in India. Viva Goa!!

Goa has also seen eminence in other fields of endeavour too! World renowned Artists and Architects, not forgetting  the famous 'Charles Correia!' 

Goan Food delicacies, be it table meals or sweets, they abound! And they are famous internationally! Then there are the 'Chefs' who have used their talent and been very creative in their profession and have become famous! And so, an exquisite Goan Cuisine has prevailed!

More of this in time. Members and well wishers are invited to send such info and statistics, for publishing on the Web!

From: Nasci Caldeira.          Contributions and suggestions are invited!

Prepared by webmaster: Nasci Caldeira for the GOA Vic.                                 Last modified: October 05, 2004