GOEM MODDLEM ANI ZUNVEM GHODDLEM

By Jackson Dias   Goa! Cradle of his roots, a land of bright light, of sun and torrential rains, of green fields of rice and coconut trees, with flowers embellishing the place; of united cultures and religions, reflecting various influences.

In the course of more than 5,000 years, India and Goa have had a rich cultural heritage. A land of fisher folk and cultivators who refer to God Parshuram in legends of Hindu mythology, incarnating in God Vishnu in the creation of Goa-Gomantak, the meaning of which in Sankrit is – fertile land, land of the Gods – reflects its innumerable attributes! In the late Vedic period, sung in the epic poem of Mahabharata, the reflex of oriental civilization is manifested.

A fusion of cultures since immemorial times: of the Sumerians, with the first written mention of Goa in documents of cuneiform writing, around 2200 BC; of the Phoenicians; of the Mauryans, with the great Asoka; of the powerful dynasties of the Kadambas, with their capital in Chandrapur, the present Chandor, 1356 BC; of the Bahamanis; of the Mongolians, which preceded that of the Portuguese (1498), following the silk route and the spice empires.

Conquered from Adilshah of Bijapur, by Afonso de Albuquerque, in 1510. An axis of fusion of Oriental and Western arts. From the centuries-old palaces of Maharajas to the cathedrals of the 1600’s, with teak wood worked in unique lacework, to the precious jewelry stores which reflect its tangible technological development.

Jua (Santo Estevam) is the fourth largest island in Goa. With an area of roughly three sq. miles, it is today the abode of about 8,000 people. The ganvkars belong to the Rajanya caste which is India's highest caste. The countryside has a lot to offer to the traveller and the farmer. The soil is alluvial and fertile. Dense forest that once covered the island have now been cleared for cultivation. And the river that rims it lends charm and beauty to the island.

The remnants of an ancient heritage, the ruins of various convents and monasteries, schools and colleges scattered all over the erstwhile isle of Tolto are but silent reminders and milestones of the glory that was when this was a suburb of the flourishing city of Goa under the Muslim ruler, Saboya. Even during the days of Afonso de Albuquerque it was a land of peace, prosperity and plenty where people lived in a luxury unknown to contemporary man. It was a paradise, where one could sit on the verandah listening to the soft music of the breeze blowing in from the river Mandovi.

The residents of Old-Goa settled in Jua, especially at Tolto after the destruction of Old-Goa city by plague 1635. Ancient deities of Jua are Lord Ravalnath and Devi Parvati. It is said “Goem moddlem ani Zunvem ghoddlem” (From the ruins of Goa rose the island of Jua).

This article is dedicated to my friend late Prof. Dr. Olivinho Gomes, former Vice-Chancellor of Goa University.