The magic of sleeping under a tiled roof is unparalleled – like the relief it provides in hot Goan summers, especially on a hot summer afternoon after belting a plate full of xit-kodi and recheado bangde, the little specks of mist that spray your face in the monsoons, the pleasing sound of the pitter patter of rain drops, and the blind trust we put on this seemingly thin layer of baked clay…
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An integral part of Goan architecture, the balcão tells the story of the state’s colonial history Growing up, my time in Goa was limited to annual summer vacations. While traversing the narrow, winding streets of my village St Estevam, about 22km from Panaji, I remember being intrigued by the houses that seemed to be perfectly…
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In April 2021, I left my all familiar surroundings of Goa for the large bustling city of Bangalore. As I packed my stuff, I began to think about the 3.5 years that went by for The Balcão and how it has been a springboard for success for me. But I do tend to think ‘what next?’. Having spent the last few years intensely documenting the Goan landscape, what does this move mean for my work on The Balcão, especially in this post-Covid world we now inhabit.?
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Goans take immense pride in their rich architectural heritage, and are generally aware of the need to protect it. However, when it comes to actually conserving heritage, they often adopt a stance that threatens its very existence…
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Lately there seems to be a certain buzz around Ilhe de Jua, St. Estevam. The fields that were once central to the identity of this Goan village have been taken up for farming after a gap of 2 long decades. ‘These lands were all uncultivated and lying bare for almost the past 30 years’ remarks…
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Standing tall and graciously along a bustling and thriving city artery in Panjim is the Santa Inez Church. As the population of the beautiful garden city has increased manifold over the years, the Church has survived the test of time visibly almost unscathed. It is dedicated to Saint Agnes (Ines in Portuguese) who was a…
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