[Goanet] Sisterhood of Swans a Goan novel set in London
Dear members, Just a brief note to let you know that my novel 'Sisterhood of Swans' (Speaking Tiger, 2021) is now stocked by Dogears Margao, who also ships the books overseas at a very reasonable price. Dogears also stocks a number of my non-fiction books. Do support this Goan bookstore and this Goan author. Although Sisterhood is a fiction book, it is an observation on the changing face of British-Asian identity and looks at the many ways we come to belong to a nation. It moves Goan characters outside of the 'casa grande' and the parochial village, where traditionally Goan literature has tended to pivot, and reinvents them in the diaspora thrusting them into a new literary modernity. As a work-in-progress this book was shortlisted for the Mslexia Novella Prize 2018. It has been praised for the beauty of its language, and endorsed on the cover by Dr Shashi Tharoor and Dr Maria Aurora Couto. https://www.thedogearsbookshop.com/shop/books/fiction/literary-fiction/sisterhood-of-swans/ Please note, I do not stock copies of this book, and although you are welcome to write to me to say hello, please don't write about copies of the book. All best wishes,Selma
[Goanet] Comparing the Goan diasporas of Pakistan and East Africa
It is an extraordinary feature of Goan migration, and certainly one which must intrigue the anthropologist, that wherever satellite Goan communities sprang, and mostly these were located in port towns whether in India or East Africa, the trajectory of their formation and organisation followed analogous patterns. One aspect of Goans arriving in frontier towns was the pioneering spirit with which they embraced nation-building. Manuel D’Abreo who arrived in 1846 was the father of Cincinnatus D’Abreo, who initiated ‘Cincinnatus Town’ (now Garden East) in Karachi. Rodrigues tells us, the idea of building such a town, a sort of model or smart city, originated with A. N. Menezes, and the foundational stone of the first house was laid in December 1907. My own research documents in Baker Butcher, Doctor Diplomat: Goan Pioneers of East Africa, a similar pioneering spirit in the townships of Zanzibar, Mombasa, Nairobi Entebbe and Kampala, where Goans enthusiastically built churches, schools, club houses, large European-styled retail stores and palatial houses of their own. The zebra-riding Dr Rosendo Ribeiro was a member of the Nairobi Township Committee constituted in 1900 to comprise of ‘four of the leading merchants or other residents of the township.’ https://www.joaoroqueliteraryjournal.com/nonfiction-1/2021/5/25/revisiting-pakistani-and-east-african-goan-diasporas All best,Selma Carvalho
[Goanet] The definitive list of 2020 you have all been waiting for
In 2020 when lives were disrupted in a most unexpected manner, 17 of Goa’s writers spread across the world, from established figures Maria Aurora Couto and Victor Rangel-Ribeiro to the newly published Jane Borges, tell us of the books they found comfort and meaning in. This splendidly diverse list which includes everything from love, sex, spirituality, self-healing, decolonisation, and displacement to World War II and queer writing, makes for curious reading. A most enjoyable read. https://www.joaoroqueliteraryjournal.com/nonfiction-1/2020/12/12/wqzla80kvfhpl82pu8i70vuue7tahs Best wishes,Selma Carvalho
[Goanet] Joao Roque Literary Journal Winter Issue 2020
Dear members, Our winter issue is now online for viewing. It contains among other things: A wonderful story about caste written in Konkani by Felicio Cardoso as translated into the English by Augusto Pinto. A romantic short story by Cecile Rischmann An interview with Canadian-Goan poet Gavin Barrett on his debut collection.An interview with academic and writer Jason K. Fernandes on his new book. Exquisite poetry and its audio readings by Siddharth Dasgupta, Bene Ferrao and Pragya Bhagat. Do enjoy. https://www.joaoroqueliteraryjournal.com/ All best wishes,Selma Carvalho
[Goanet] The Brave New World of Goan Writing & Art 2020
The Brave New World of Goan Writing & Art 2020 book can be viewed here. This book features new writing from Goa and reflects on the lives and creative processes of Goan writers and artists spread across the globe, through essays, reviews and interviews. Support Goan writing if you can. https://www.joaoroqueliteraryjournal.com/ All best,Selma CarvalhoEditor
[Goanet] Lives of Bombay Goans
In this interview with Jane Borges author of Bombay Balchao, we look at the lives of Bombay Goans. https://www.joaoroqueliteraryjournal.com/ All best wishes,selma
[Goanet] India's debut fiction writers includes one Goa (me)
Every year, BLink (The Hindu newspaper) does an annual print and online issue featuring 12 writers who will make their fiction debut with India's top publishers. This year, I'm greatly honoured to be included in this list, making my debut with a novella titled, 'Sisterhood of Swans' to be published by Speaking Tiger. You can read all the stories, including mine, here. https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blink/sixth-anniversary-special-edition/article30644104.ece All best,selma
[Goanet] The Goan Festive Season through History
Dear Goa Book Club, Wishing you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a fantastic New Year. I leave you with this article which looks at the Goan festive season through history, and includes photographs of Goans celebrating in Lisbon, Nairobi and Canada. The Goan Festive Season Through History — Joao-Roque Literary Journal est. 2017 All best wishes,selma | | | | | | | | | | | The Goan Festive Season Through History — Joao-Roque Literary Journal es... By Selma Carvalho Issue no. 14 a 1930s ‘Christmas in Goa’: “Our host and hostess were a charming couple who li... | | |
[Goanet] The December issue of the JRLJ
Please do visit and enjoy the December 2019 issue of the JRLJ. There are short stories including two graphic stories and poetry. In the non-fiction section, we have: A discussion on African Slavery in GoaThe Public art of Solomon Souza, the grandson of F N SouzaA short memoir of colonial Goa by Edith Melo FurtadoA photo-essay and travelogue about Israel and the Holy City by Bene FerraoAn interview with artist Viraj NaikThe forgotten history of Ugandan GoansAnd spotlight on writing from Canadian Goans We also announce our 2019 winners, as well as our top ten most read topics. https://www.joaoroqueliteraryjournal.com/ Seasons' greetings to all.Selma
[Goanet] Forgotten Histories of Ugandan-Goans
Selma Carvalho in conversation with Canadian writer Tina Athaide uncovers the history of the Athaide family and the basis of her book 'Orange for the Sunsets.' Our ties to Uganda date back to 1927. My grandfather, Anthonio Athaide, was the first family member to move to Entebbe. He worked as an accountant for the Public Works Department and played cricket for the Uganda team...We were the only family of colour in the city. I remember other kids yelling, “Go home Paki!” and being taunted for no other reason than being brown. https://www.joaoroqueliteraryjournal.com/nonfiction-1/2019/10/6/tina-athaide-forgotten-histories-of-uganda-goans Best wishes,Selma CarvalhoEditor - JRLJ
[Goanet] Saudade, Footnotes on Kenya, Goan Shamans
Dear members, The summer bumper issue of the Joao Roque Literary Journal is here, with 11 non-fiction pieces to enjoy. I've noted below our non-fiction section but in addition, do enjoy our literary offerings, poems and book reviews. We introduce new authors of Goan origin dispersed across the world as well as showing casing the work of those closer to home. https://www.joaoroqueliteraryjournal.com/ NON-FICTION Vimala Devi, Monção and Me by Paul Melo e Castro Identity, Appropriation and an Interrupted Kind of Absence Michelle D’Souza Cahill in conversation with Selma Carvalho Early Indians: Deconstructing DNA by Selma Carvalho Photo Essay: Dog, City & Coexistence by Jose da Costa Ramos Perspectives on Kashmir: Homefulness by Jugneeta Sudan Short memoir: Footnotes on Kenya by Gregory R. Patricio Saudade: Memory, Place and Unmooring Suneeta Peres da Costa in conversation with Jessica Faleiro Angelo da Fonseca: As Recounted by his Daughter by Savia Viegas Newman: Goa’s Shamans and the Fictive Dream by Selma Carvalho Garcia da Orta: India’s Original Antiquarian by Ishaan H. Jajodia If you enjoy the sort of writing we curate, please visit us on our Facebook page and hit like.https://www.facebook.com/Joaoroqueliteraryjournal/ Best wishes,Selma Carvalho
[Goanet] Goa's Shamans
A review of Robert Newman's books.https://www.joaoroqueliteraryjournal.com/nonfiction-1/2019/4/5/newman-goas-shamans-and-the-fictive-dream As a child, I might have visited Miguel Colaco’s Christ Ashram in Nuvem. It was after all, within walking distance from the Mae Dos Pobros Church, and it was not at all unusual for Catholics in Nuvem, after mass, to drop in at the ashram. I have a recollection of a blue sky, people crawling on all fours, sweeping the earth with their hair, and supplicating in other grotesque parodies of faith. These memories are almost certainly false. They have been created in my mind by the many stories told to me, for the ashram and its paradoxes were an enigma and a constant talking point in the village of Nuvem. Robert S. Newman, the American anthropologist, who has spent many years studying Goa in its various transformations, has recently released two volumes of his anthropological papers, which delve into aspects of Goa’s mythologies. Newman is a much respected academic, who first visited India in the 1960s, as part of the American Peace Corps, when still in the bloom of Kennedy-era idealism, Americans sought to engage with the world through learning new cultures. In the volume titled, Goan Anthropology: Festivals, Films and Fish (Goa 1556, 2019), Newman now fills the gaps in my porous memory about Christ Ashram. Best wishes,Selma
