MARGAO
Tucked away from the hustle and bustle around a giant wheel and an amusement park on the sprawling SGPDA grounds and rows of stalls selling readymade garments, a handful of traditional stalls showcasing the rich culture, tradition and heritage of Goa stand out.
These Goan stalls may be outnumbered by the hordes of migrant hawkers who have set up shop on the occasion of the seven-day old market fair. Unlike the giant wheel and amusement park, which see a beeline of the young and old, these stalls might not have evoked a similar response, but the owners have kept a date with the fair, keeping alive the rich tradition, handed over from generation to generation, now forming part of Goan heritage.
Amid the giant wheel and the amusement park, the Niz Goemkar Chanekars, Khajjekars, the carpenters, pottery makers etc may feel lost out, but the patronage from the locals over the decades seemed to have helped keep the tradition alive.
While one may come across the old faces churning out hot chanas or selling the much-sought-after delicious khajje, a couple of youngsters too could be seen helping their parents or taking over the occupation. Carpenters, in particular, are sore over the entry of outsiders at the fair, saying the dumping of machine-produced furniture items has affected their products churned out by their hands and hard labour.
Damodar Naik
This bare-chested elderly man stands out at every village feast fair and the old market fair is no exception as he churned out hot roasted grams and nuts from his makeshift tent. Damodar is a familiar face at the village feasts, selling roasted grams and nuts, maintaining the over-century-old tradition handed down by his parents and grandparents.
Business is not good as usual after the Covid pandemic, but Damu, as he is popularly called, keeps dates with the village feast throughout the year. “This occupation must have been practised by my grandparents over a century ago, which was later handed down to my parents and me. Business is not that good, but we keep a date with the village feasts to maintain our tradition,” he said.
He added: “I do not think my daughters will continue this tradition. But I can tell you, I will continue this occupation as long as I have the strength in me.”
Rohidas Sawant Talaulikar, Ponda
Meet this khajekar, wearing glasses and sporting a beard. Sitting on an elevated makeshift stall, Rohidas is another familiar face at the village feast fairs across Salcete and outside. Hailing from Talaulim-Ponda, Rohidas pointed out that he is continuing the legacy left behind by his ancestors decades ago. “After my father, I am carrying forward the tradition of churning out the traditional khajje and sweets. There is hard work involved in this occupation. The occupation cannot be maintained with Rs 5,000 or Rs 10,000 incentives, but through our sweat and blood,” he said.
Involved in the business throughout the year, setting up stalls at the village feast and zatras, Rohidas was candid enough in admitting that the rich traditional business has survived because of people's patronage. “I am involved in this business round the year. My wife and daughter help in this traditional occupation,” he said.
Like many a traditional Goan artisan and sweet maker, Rohidas too feels that business is down post-Covid and the lockdowns. “I had set up a stall at Old Goa, but there was not much business. The business has slowed after the pandemic,” he added.
Elvis Noronha, Margao
Son of Antonio Noronha, young Elvis is a diploma holder in production engineering. Unlike many youngsters, who have migrated to the UK or the Gulf or are working for others, Elvis has decided to keep alive the carpentry occupation of his father.
Says Elvis: “My father has been involved in churning out furniture products for over 40 years. I decided to take over after I passed out with a diploma in production engineering to carry forward my father’s occupation.”
He added: “Many youngsters are heading to the UK and the Gulf by leaving behind their occupation and traditions. A day will come when our rich culture may become extinct if the trend continues.”
Saying the people of Goa have patronized the local carpenters over the decades, Elvis, however, said the inflationary trends in the economy have increased the production cost in recent times. “We find the price of raw materials rising. The manpower cost is also coming in the way of the occupation,” he said while making a plea to the elected representatives for a helping hand.
Benerdene Vales, Soccoro
Pottery items may be fast becoming extinct in the State, but the husband-wife duo of John Paul and Benerdene Vales seemed to have kept the rich tradition alive. With people going in for aluminium, stainless steel and innovative products, pottery items may not be in big demand. But, the husband-wife duo kept alive the rich tradition handed down by their parents over the decades.
Say Vales: “We showcase pottery items, both cooking as well as fancy items. The cooking items may not be selling like hotcakes, but people do evince interest in these items again. But, there’s a demand for the fancy items and show pieces,” he said.
She added: “We have a workshop at Soccoro. We showcase our pottery products at the village feasts at Old Goa, Cansaulim, Margao, Raia, Curtorim, Loutolim, Mapusa and other places. Our children too help us to keep the tradition alive.”
Carpenters Joao Lawrence, Benaulim
and Sebastiao Fernandes of Madel
These two carpenters have been in the business for years now, participating in the old market feast fairs and at other places, showcasing their furniture made with their hard labour.
The duo, however, rued that the traditional carpenters have not received the support they deserve from the authorities and government agencies.
Says Joao: “My father was in the carpentry occupation before I took over. At the village feast fairs, we showcase our items such as beds, cupboards, and tables, but the entry of outside furniture businesses and huge fees levied by the local authorities have adversely hit us."
“The outside furniture is machine-made, but we churn out furniture with our hands and labour. We need protection before this tradition is lost forever,” he said.
Sebastiao also echoed similar sentiments: "The local authorities charge us lakhs of rupees as fees, but there is no business here. Outsiders are bringing in factory-made furniture from Delhi and Mumbai."
Showcasing rocking chairs and sofas, Sebastiao feared the rich carpentry tradition will die if the local carpenters are not protected by authorities.
