Jason and Teotonio made me interested in the life of Shenoi Goembab through their posts on the thread: Goenkaranchi Goianbhaili Vosnook in Goa Research Net.
So when I began reading about Wamanrao Varde Valaulikar of the clan of the name Goraksha Shenoi Varde, who assumed the name Shenoi Goembab, a name which he incidentally deliberately assumed, I realised that SG was a kindred soul of mine. At the time when Shenoi Goembab made it his pen-name, the title 'Shenoi' was being discarded by Goan Saraswat Brahmins who were Shenois in order to identify themselves with Maharashtrians; and the word 'Goembab' was an insult which Goan Mumbaikars would bestow upon bumpkin countrified Konkani speaking Goans who came to Bombay. As I said, Shenoi Goembab was a person after my own heart, but if it were not for Shri Kashinathbab Nayak I would not have known about him. R. N. Naik wrote a biography of him in the series of Sahitya Akademi's Makers of Indian Literature: "Shenoi Goembab" which was translated by S.M. Borges (Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, 2007) - Rs 25 (!!). I wish to speak about Shenoi Goembab some other time but right now lets put the spotlight upon Shri Kashinathbab Nayak. Shri Kashinathbab Nayak was to Shenoi Goembab what Boswell was to Doctor Johnson. SG was the soul of erudition regarding the Konkani language and the history of Goa, besides many things, as well one of the most fearless Goans I have read about, but it was thanks to Shri Kashinathbab Nayak who was some 32 years junior to him but who had heard his lectures delivered to the Goa Hindu Association in conjunction with the Saraswat Brahmin Samaj in the 20's and 30's that his thoughts were propagated. Shri Kashinathbab Nayak had opened the Gomantak Printing Press in Girgaum in Bombay and was determined that SG's works be published. I can't help resist quoting from page 45 of R. N. Naik's biography of Shenoi Goembab translated into English by Prof. S. M. Borges: Kashinathbab approached Shenoi Goembab with the proposal that Goenkaranchi Goianbhaili Vosnook be published by him. SG: "Do you envisage that some profit will accrue to your press through the printing of "Vosnook"? KN: "You could forget about the profit. I am positive that I shall not recover even the cost of paper that will be used for the printing." SG: "If that is the case, and if you still desire to go ahead, I shall gladly hand over to you these lectures for printing." Shri Kashinathbab Nayak took those lectures and all the other of SG's papers and went on printing them even after Shenoi Goembab expired. Wow! Normally the word 'Kudos', so overused in letters to the editors of Goan newspapers, is a word I detest. But for once I'd like to use it: Kudos!! Kudos to the Late Shri Kashinathbab Nayak.!! Cheers Augusto -- Augusto Pinto 40, Novo Portugal, Moira, Bardez, Goa, India E pinto...@gmail.com or ypinto...@yahoo.co.in P 0832-2470336 M 9881126350 _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ _/ _/ tambdimati: the Goa review is a community blog of original _/ art, writing, music, news and commentary from and about the _/ smallest state in the subcontinent. check out the newest _/ member of the Goanet family daily at _/ http://www.tambdimati.com. _/ _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/
