Goa had long flourished as a port, particularly under the
military protection of the Vijayanagar commander Madhav Mantri, who managed
to protect Goa from the acquisitive Muslim sultans. In the 1470’s the
however, Goa finally succumbed to the Muslims and was ruled by Adil Shah of
Bijapur. Then in 1508 Alfonso de Albuquerque arrived from the Portugal and
captured the port, a victory that led to 450 years of Portuguese rule.
It
is the Iberian aura, the cultural alloy of Latin and Oriental, the
coexistence of Hinduism and Christianity that epitomizes the distinct
identity of Goa. The Portuguese invested a hitherto predominantly Hindu
society with their religion, attitudes and lifestyles, and Goa’s ethos
and élan are the consequences of this encounter. Like the
stained-glass windows on the churches, Goa’s fabric is a mosaic of
bright and variegated colors - the flamboyant designs of Latin exuberance
set against the russet hues of traditional Indian attitudes and lifestyles.
Goa
CultureOne of the most discerning assets of Goa is it’ rich
cultural heritage Goan folklore comprises folk songs, dances, music, visual
arts and folk tales rich in content & variety.
Music flows in
Goan blood and most Goans can pluck at a guitar or pick out a tune on the
piano. Old time taverns in Panaji will invariably have background music
traditional or otherwise. Much Goan music is derived from haunting &lyrical
Portuguese love songs, but young musicians have also taken to hard rock and
many work the nightclub circuit of India ’s big cities.
It is
the Iberian aura, the cultural alloy of Latin and Oriental, the coexistence
of Hinduism and Christianity that epitomizes the distinct identity of Goa.
The Portuguese invested a hitherto predominantly Hindu society with their
religion, attitudes and lifestyles, and Goa’s ethos and élan are
the consequences of this encounter. Like the stained-glass windows on the
churches, Goa’s fabric is a mosaic of bright and variegated colors -
the flamboyant designs of Latin exuberance set against the russet hues of
traditional Indian attitudes and lifestyles.
House
Boat