The magnificence of Goan interior can be seen in the exemplary finishes and the choicest collection of furniture, furnishing and artifacts. Bavarian chandeliers that hung from the ceilings and Chinese porcelain that adorned the choicest of English furniture in Goan houses, is evidence that Goa's trade embraced several continents.
I signed with Habiba and Mario to do this book in November 2005 and it’s been a long time in coming out. Mario gave me quite a number of wonderful drawings which would have made a good book by itself, but I wanted to do something much more serious. It had to be something more worthy of the magnificent variety in his vast body of work. Work that has delighted both the common man and the connoisseur for more than half a century.
Goan folkdances have a history of several hundred years. Many of them reflect the different lifestyles, cultures and aspirations of different origin, religions and castes of Goan society. The Portuguese influence is strong, as you can guess from this picture where we are entertained on a cruise at River Mandovi.
These flowers have a special place in Hindu worship and culture. They are often strung into ornate and beautiful garlands which are used to decorate shrines or as offerings in the temples. Various meanings have been attributed to the flower, and hence for its significance in worship. Some say its saffron/orange colour signifies renunciation, others that its sturdy stem symbolizes a trust in the divine and a will to overcome obstacles.
Raksha bandhan (the bond of protection in Hindi) or Rakhi is a Hindu festival which celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters. Sisters tie a rakhi (a holy thread) around their brothers' wrists. The brother in return offers a gift to his sister and vows to look after her. This festival is typically an occasion for celebration by the whole family.
