Bomoicar: stories of Bombay Goan, 1920-1980 May 2014, Pp 154 Compiled and edited by Reena Martins
Reviewed by Mike Ali mike.a...@yahoo.com Pure nostalgia. Two words that aptly convey the emotions that overcome the reader who is a Bombay Goan or has some connection to this great city in the earlier decades of the last century or even today. Reena Martins of Bombay (now Mumbai) who has nearly two decades of journalistic experience with leading newspapers of India has taken great pains to compile and edit the manuscript so that the sights, sounds and flavor of those halcyon days can be relived by the reader. Well-known writers of the community such as Victor Rangel-Ribeiro, Roland Francis, Cynthia Gomes-James, Odette Mascarenhas and the editor herself have contributed to this volume. Many of the writers are now spread all over the world but they still vividly translate into words the mental picture of the Bomoicars and Bombay of yore. The stories revolve around the areas predominantly inhibited by the community then -- mainly Mazagon, Dhobitalao, Byculla and the central city areas. The jacket of the book states: "Bomoicar takes you on a round trip of twentieth century Bombay. Stop for a bite of baangda-curry-rice and tongue roast at joints of Dhobitalao. Later in the evening, down a glass of the Goan Aunty's hooch with roasted gram or fried Bombay duck. And as Cotton Mary serenades you from quadrangles in Byculla, Mazagon, Grant Road or Colaba, inhale the aroma of cutlets and potato chops wafting from tiny Goan kitchens." Some chapters have colorful headings such as 'Lovely Lovelina', 'Cotton Mary', 'Matchmaker Susan', 'Champagne Baby' while others such as 'Bombay to Goa on Full Steam', 'Bandra Fair' and 'St. Xavier's and Back' gives the reader an indication of what is to follow. The articles document for historians and general readers the life and times of individuals... their lifestyles and religious life, their working environments, their culinary taste, their problems and their peccadillos. Mention is made of the famous 'Goan Aunties' whose speakeasies made life easier to bear after a hard day's work or to relax the minds of the newly arrived job-seekers who had left behind family, friends and village in Goa to take up residence in the kudd (residential club) of, in most cases, the same village he was compelled to leave to seek employment in the 'big city' to support his family and seek his fortune. Many of the articles go into great detail of various aspects of the Bomoicar's life and the community at that time. Thus, making it a must read for those who came after them and do not know what their parents or grandparents had to go through to give them the life they now have. Many, like me, will personally relate to the stories as I have visited the areas mentioned, still have relatives there and my mother-in-law who initially lived in the Mazagon area and later was a border at St. Joseph's Convent in Bandra was a true Bomoicar. Also, many of the Goan community in Karachi came from Bombay in the early part of the 20th century and settled in the Saddar area (then known as 'Camp'.) They were those too who were either transferred by their organizations or set off to seek their fortunes further afield. Karachi too had many 'clubs' of different villages similar to the 'kudds' that existed in Bombay. These clubs welcomed fellow villagers, got them jobs and even found them suitable matrimonial matches... after which they then found their own places to stay. These matches were with girls from either Goa or Bombay. Many Karachi Goan families also preferred their sons marrying girls from Bombay in the initial decades of their settling in Karachi. But the reverse was rarely the case. The personal flavor of the articles not only makes it a great and enjoyable read but also informs the reader of a by-gone era where life, at times was difficult but the cooperation of friends and co-villagers made it much more livable. I will highly recommend this lavishly illustrated book to all Goans, not only those who have a Bombay connection, as the city was and still is a stepping stone for Goans to achieve greater heights in life. -- Bomoicar: Stories of Bombay Goans can be ordered from goa1...@gmail.com It costs Rs 220 within India (incl p&p) and Euro 10 overseas (including airmail costs). Pgs. 154. Also available from David & Co Dhobitalao; Reena Martins at Borivali 9820783290; Gable's Konkani Table at Mahim near St Michael's on Sunday mornings 9820494439; Linus D'Lima at Andheri East 9930052652; Bosco D'Mello bosp...@gmail.com in Toronto; Golden Heart Emporium, Margao, and other outlets. Michael Ali is a journalist who worked as Political and Economics Analyst, and was also the Assistant Editor of the Christian Voice in Karachi.