The Santo Estevam Blog

Jackson Dias Jezuk kiteak khursar jivexim marlo? Ho proxnn mhoje lagim zaito kall suttavo zainaslo. Jezuk khursar marunk nam apli dotorn xikoita mhonn. Jezuk khursar marunk nam to apunn Devacho put mhonnta mhonn. Jezuk khursar maruk na to milagri korta mhonn. Punn Jezuk khursar marlo to vaittacher zhuzta dekhun. Aiz somazant kitlem vaitt ailelem asa? Veta thoim bhroxttachar (corruption). Ami tor atam vaittacher zhuzo naum zalear fuddle pillgek ekdom vaitt zatelem. Atam vechnnuko lagim pavleat. Boream munxeank vinchun kaddunk zai. Zaito lok mhonnta apleak dan (scheme) dilea. Ti kosli dan? Rajkarbari (politicians) “vattli bhor ditat ani panttli bhor vhortat”. Lokacheam dolleank panam bandtat. Osleam vostuncher Jezu aplea jivitant zhuzlo. Look backward to move forward Patthleam disani Ponnje Regional Plan-hacher meeting zali te meetingek konnuch Zunvencho lok ajir zavunk nam. Konn montri apoit zalear lemddeam bhaxen dhanvon vetat punn osleam gorjecheam kamank konn ienam. Halim Gr...

Marcelant Zatrek Vetam. Lyrics: Jackson Dias Music: Mukesh Ghatwal Video: Aggy Dias

News item in Herald dated 14 Sep. 2011: Kala Yuvak Sangha, Juve, St. Estevam felicitated the following stage artists: Jackson Dias, Xavier Gomes, Alwyn Gomes, Domnic X. Monteiro, Tania Rosa, Veleni Dias, Chiara Gomes, and other Marathi artists at Juve, St. Estevam at the hands of Chief guest Tapobhumi Pithadhishshwar Param Pujya Srimad Sadguru Brahmeshanandacharya Swami Maharaj.

Here's wishing one and all a very happy and prosperous New Year 2011. I am glad to announce that my new CD of Konkani songs entitled Mogachi Kanni (Love Story) composed by Jackson Dias (that's me!) and sung by local singers namely Aloma, Alwyn Gomes, Antoneta Dias, Astria, Chiara Gomes, Joylita Silveira, Reiny, Snayha, Tania, Veleni and Xavier Gomes, and set to music by the talented Mukesh Ghatwal, was officially released on the auspicious occasion of St. Stephen's Feast on 26th December 2010. The CD costs Rs. 200/-. If you would like to avail of a copy you may contact me on my mobile no. 919657031787. You may also obtain the CD from "Jameel" - the residence of Mrs. Soccorina Dias in Marcel, Goa. The house is right by the main road in Marcel. I'd like to thank Joseph de Santo Estevam for posting a review of my CD on the Niz Goenkar blog. Here's the link to the review: http://nizgoenkar.blogspot.com/2011/01/jackson-dias-mogachi-kanni-konkani.html Viva Goa! ...

Jackson Dias has recently released his Konkani CD entitled Mogachi Kanni (Love Story) featuring Konkani songs by local youngsters. Singers: Veleni Dias Snayha Menezes Alika Mascarenhas Tania Rosa Astria Fernandes Cindy Mascarenhas Joylita Silveira Carran Monteiro Other credits: Conchita Mascarenhas - Violin Weslee Dias - Guitar Darwin Pereira - Ghumott Jackson Dias - Composer & Instructor Aggie Dias - Video For details on how to obtain the CD please contact Jackson Dias (Mobile: 919657031787).

Lucas Mattos This year we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the International Youth Year. Pope John Paul II started the International Youth Year in 1985 and Pope Benedict XVI has taken the same theme for the jubilee year and he speaks of “Youth and Hope”. What does it mean to have hope? A person has hope is a person who has got eternal value, eternal life. We say that the young people are the hope of the world. But you must know that you are the hope not only of the world but of the church – the hope for us – the bishops, the priests and religious and the church at large. 25 years ago, under the able guidance of our parish priest Fr. Almir D’Souza, our parish youth got together and celebrated a 3-day Youth Festival in our village. I remember the banner with Thomas Hardy’s words, “Days of our youth are days of glory”. All our youth participated with full enthusiasm and by the charisma of our youth our elders, especially the seamen, showed the youthful charisma in them and rejuvena...

by Jaime Afonso From the 2006 Souvenir of St. Estevam Sports Club Late Prof. Luis Manuel Afonso wrote an article in the second last edition of this souvenir wherein he had given us glimpses of the earliest developments of our village to the present facade of our church and mentuioning about priestly ordination of his brother Late Fr. Antonio. He is no more among us as this edition unfolds today. He left for his heavenly abode on 4th April 2006. May his soul rest in peace. L. M. Afonso as he was popularly known among the teaching fraternity, obtained his educational degrees from the University of Bombay and served in Mumbai for some time before coming to Goa soon after liberation for which he had made his personal contribution and was later recognised as freedom fighter by the State and Central Governments. An honour to the village indeed! In Goa, he was first appointed as professor of English language in the prestigious Portuguese medium Liçeu Nacional de Afonso de Albuquerque, a leaga...

By Jose Lucas Mattos (From St. Estevam Firgojechi Zap, February 2010 issue) This year (1759-2009) we Zunvenkars got together to celebrate 250 years of our structural church. If we go back to the history of our faith, it is not of suit, boot and glamour of today, but our faith is of our poor "fottekars" who were ready to mortgage their lone possession "fottem" to build this magnificent architectural grandeur. As we see it today, it is not only the faith but a strong commitment and hard work which we inherited and flourished throughout the world. Under the spiritual guidance of our Parish Priest Fr. Olavo D'Souza, our village grandson, and Fr. Alexandre Fernandes, our assistant to the Parish Priest, we began this year's celebrations with a spiritual renewal of heart and mind and family life too. As the saying goes, "The family that prays together stays together" we began a five-day family mission conducted by Fr. Kenneth Telles of the Diocesan ...

Emidio F. Monteiro President of Carnival Committee (2003) - His message in the SECASA 2003 bulletin - All "Honrad Zunvenkars", specially as cultivators of our popular "Bhenddes". When a group of us decided to participate in the Traditional category of the Carnival Parade in differnt towns of Goa, in spite of opposition and criticism form disgruntled elements, we opted for the concept of vegetation with "Bhenddes" as prime product and the slogan "Be Vegetarian For Healthy Living" which ultimately conquered the cities of Panjim, Mapuca and Vasco and we deservingly got the 1st prize, while in Margao we had to be content with the 2nd prize. The large number of participants in ur floats which constituted an impressive number of females, and the original music, is something for all of us to remember for years. All this was possible due to the generous donations from all our villagers. The historic achievement has proved beyond doubt that we Zunvenkar c...

By Late Prof. L. M. Afonso Amidst the picturesque islands of Goa surrounded by the magnificent and placid waters of the River Mandovi one comes across a colourful island with a colourful history. The isle of Jua today glories in the memories of old kingdoms and mighty kings. The story goes back to the sixth century when it was known to the people around Konkan desh as “Shakecho Jumvo”. This green jewel originally consisted of three small islets viz Jua, Tolto and Vantso with a canal connecting them. It has been observed thanks to the silt deposits of the River Mandovi, that these small islets have been joined together into one island - that of Santo Estevam which has expanded rapidly, especially since the Second World War. Around the hill on which stands the imposing statue of Christ The King is a vast expanse of rice fields and in the distance rise small hillocks and dunes covered with forests, which are fast vanishing. Relieving the monotony of the scene there are lines of tr...

Manddo composed by Jackson Dias -I- Mudans korunk kednaim tunvem Goeam ieunk zai Zunveam oslo gaum tuka meuncho nam go bai Pordesant ami astanam, ugddas tuzo ietanam, Poddta amka tujim sopnam.   Ch: Ubo raulear dongrar, Nodor marlear ganvar, Polounk to srungar Mhonntat amkam bhenddekar, Purvoz amche varvemkar HONRAD AMI ZUNVENKAR   -II- Amchea Zunvear lhan vodd asa sobit tim ghoram Picavoll zaiti hanga khuxal tim poram, Sobit igroz kopelam xetamni rongoilam, Doria deger nettoilam   -III- Voddvik tuji sogleamkuch naum tin letramchem Lhan-tiko mapar tum istimossamchem Bhangar tum putamchem, Douloth tum dhuvamchem, Sobit JUA naum tujem.

By Late Prof. L. M. Afonso History is not just about quests or conquests. Beyond the ramparts and battlefields there were the ordinary men and women, the farmers and vegetable cultivators and the housewives who helped them, to keep life going. But their narratives lie frozen and unheard amid the dead debris of times. If you look around carefully you will find that every place has a nook or cranny which records history. It could be a decaying log or thatched hut of a farmer. All these have their own stories to tell. Jua then was a group of seven islets intercepted by swamps and marshy areas of the river Mandovi, Mangueral, Polvado, Tonca and St. Francisco was the biggest islet followed by the twin islets of Tolto, separated by “Karem Bath” Bairo Santissm and Aldeia Grande, Palmar and Cupa were the tidal islets. All these islets were systematically joined together by constructing culverts and causeways and by building defending bunds by our ancestors and later maintained by Comunida...

By Dr. Rufino Monteiro Viva Jua!! Honrad amu Zunvenkar!! Lovely Green Island!! These are the exclamations we are used to hear and feel proud of and this year at Carnival time in Goa, we are all delighted to see our Zunvenkars all in true Goan Traditional attire and way thrilling the crowds in all the major cities of Goa and winning laurels besides the hearts of people from Goa, other parts of India and abroad. Thus, the villagers of our great Green Island of Santo Estevam proved the point that if they come together for doing something constructive, they can surely be second to none. Over the years, our islanders have been shining lights all over Goa and even abroad with their hard-work, dedication and clever minds. Our village has produced many holy priests, famous architects and engineers, renowned doctors, illustrious teachers and artists, good sports persons and numerous other well known and respected people in their fields. But alas! What is the state in recent years? Despite hav...

Courtesy O Heraldo Jackson Dias, a noted singer, writer, conductor and composer from Jua has come out with an audiovisual CD titled "Iliana" under Bhenddekar Productions where Jackson pays tribute to his mother, who inspired him to follow his heart in Konkani music. The CD consists of Cantaram, duets and groups singing Mando in expression of Jua style and Goa in general. Jackson has trained some of the village youth to sing and dance in his album. This album introduces some new voices, mostly from Santo Estevam, such as Chiara Gomes, Antonetta Dias, Alwyn Gomes who are the new finds of Jackson Dias. The CD also features Xavier Gomes, Reniy Dias and Velany Gama a young co-producer. Mukesh Ghantwalhas rendered melodious music for the album while Marthalisa Afonso, Jelda Fernandes, Lee Ann Monteiro, Eden Marques, Anna Lisa Silveira, Diasa D'Costa, Stanley Marques and Anthony Sylvester have lent their voices for the chorus.

By Jackson Dias The idyllic village of Santo Estevam, the island called Ilha Verde (Green Island), has been the cradle of distinguished achievement in various fields and has produced several eminent personalities in diverse fields of endeavour. It may be sheer coincidence that the first Goan Chief Justice of the Goa High Court, Dr. Jose Maria De Remedios (1825) and the last of them, Dr. Alvaro Dias (1962), were both from Santo Estevam. One has to mention a few of them for illustration: the famous artist, Angelo da Fonseca, known as the father of Indian art; General Dr. Miguel Caetano Dias and his sons, Lt. Col. Victor Dias, and Dr. Antonio Dias, the first two becoming Directors of Goa Health Services and a third a medical scientist of renown; Mr. Eufemiano Dias, ex-Director, Goa PWD and eminent architect; Venith Alphonso, the documentary film-maker of "Bapuji" fame; Fr. Crescencio Monteiro, the eminent linguist and professor in the seminary; Dr. Bailon De Sa, ex-UN advisor, e...

Prof. Agnel Crasto sings praises for Jackson Dias’ latest CD “Iliana” (Courtesy Gomantak Times) Jackson Dias needs no introduction in Santo Estevam. He is a well-known singer, writer, conductor and composer of Konkani music. He has prepared an audiovisual CD which consists of cantaram, duets and group singing in memory of his beloved mother Iliana who inspired and encouraged him to follow his heart in Konkani music. The cantaram is his expression of the appreciation of his love for Santo Estevam in particular and Goa in general. He has trained some village youth to sing and dance the cantaram and the mando. This CD also includes some new voices of youth singing Konkani like Chaiara Gomes, Velany Gama, Antonetta Dias, Alwyn Gomes. The CD will be a discover of new talent I Konkani music. The album of Jackson Dias entitled “Iliana” is presented by Bhenddekar Productions with music by Mukesh Ghatwal and lyrics by Jackson Dias. Mukesh Ghatwal has done justice to the CD. This CD is the contr...

A review by Olivinho Gomes (Courtesy Goa Today) Music and song runs naturally coursing enthusiastically in the Goan blood. That has been happening mostly in fulsome blossoming in the emotional language of the Goan heart that is incontestably Konkani, however much other languages attempt to usurp that place. As a matter of fact there is in the market a growing spate of such cassettes, compact discs and albums featuring songs and charming music by well-known composers and singers as well as upcoming artistes among boys and girls who are making their debut on this scene. Among the latter figures Jackson Dias, a talented yet maverick poet, composer and singer who had confined himself to this date to catering to the needs of rural circles, particularly in his native village of Santo Estevam, and he was not taken very seriously. However, he appears to have graduated now from that rung of music makers and made a splash of sorts at a higher level in his first Konkani album entitled ILIANA that...

By Andrew Pereira (Courtesy Times of India ) From the serene silence that is St. Estevam’s hallmark, the island village has burst into a riot of colours, laughter and unbridled joy since Christmas. “This is one time during the year when I see most of my parishioners”, says a smiling Fr. Olavo D’Souza, parish priest of St. Estevam. At other times, the 1961 hit Where Have All The Flowers Gone? could well have been written for the village. The St. Estevam men haven’t, however gone to war as the song’s men have, but have boarded ships and dropped anchor in the sea-faring profession to bring home the bacon. Saturday was the feast of the village patron – St. Stephen – and the missing men were home for it. This year, the feast celebrations are on a grander scale. The present church was built in 1759 by the village communidade with local support and the islanders are commemorating its 250th anniversary. “It’s three days of joy on the island: Christmas, followed by the feasts of St. Steph...

Romancing the Isla Verde http://trifter.com/asia-pacific/india/romancing-the-isla-verde/ Santo Estevam Igorjent gelear tum kitem polletolo? http://www.v-ixtt.com/client/details.asp?id=1046&cid= The History Behind Church of St Estevam http://www.navhindtimes.in/buzz/6652-the-history-behind-church-of-st-estevam GOA-Santo Estevam Hill http://www.flickr.com/photos/elferns/4114137577/ St Stevens Church -Santo Estevam Goa - Pulpit http://www.flickr.com/photos/elferns/3683172865/ HISTORY HOUR http://luisdias.wordpress.com/2009/12/08/history-hour/ Jua Bridge, Santo Estêvão http://wikimapia.org/415934/Jua-Bridge-Santo-Est%C3%AAv%C3%A3o-Goa Santo Estêvão Church http://wikimapia.org/326435/Santo-Est%C3%AAv%C3%A3o-Church St Stevens–Santo Estevam Church http://www.goaholidayhomes.com/info/94/st-stevens%E2%80%93santo-estevam-church/ Sant Estevam http://www.goaholidayhomes.com/info/153/sant-estevam/ The Goa that you may not know http://www.colaco.net/thegoaUdontNO.h...

by Jackson Dias This island is a God-gifted piece of paradise and a product of the hard work and intellect of 21 vangodds (clans) who call this place home. In the mid-40s, almost the entire population of around 4,000 living on this island were involved in agriculture and more than 10,000 square meters of land was under cultivation. Since Jua has many low-lying areas, during monsoon, paddy would be cultivated and as soon as this crop was harvested, vegetables would be planted in the fields. The ladyfinger vegetable from Jua is famed; they not only possess a unique taste relished all over Goa, but they grow pretty long and are used in preparations of different types of dishes including the stuffed ladyfingers. The other distinctive feature of ladyfingers from Sto. Estevam is that they have seven ridges thus giving them more girth. In fact, the Sto. Estevam ladyfingers are locally known as Sat Xirancho Bhenddo (of seven ridges). It is believed that the unique soil of the area, especially ...