Goa Paradise On Sea

If you were to drop a bomb on Goa, it would land either on across or on a tavern - so goes the saying. Goa : Paradise On Sea faithfullyrepresents it. The book is strongly marked by the Goan passion for life, whichis on song the whole of 365 days. The ubiquitous singing, the famed beaches, theinevitable tot of wicked feni, the typical Goan-Portuguese cuisine do not leavespace for much seriousness. The book talks of the small state, liberated from450 years of colonial rule in 1947, which is also heir to a uniqueinter-religious culture. Christian altars are decorated with Hindu motifs;Hindus, Christians and Muslims celebrate Carnival and Shimogi (the Goan festivalof lights). Half the female population prefers the sari; others are comfortablein trousers and Western dresses. All, however, bow to the sweet spirit of St.Francis Xavier, the patron saint of Goa. Religious edifices unerringly index theglorious heights to which architecture aspires in Goa. Well-appointed homes andelegant mannerisms attest to its people’s warmth. The book imbibes everythingof the Goan spirit and is a heady read.