Geography Project

Songs, Dances, Festivals, Special Food preparation of Goa according to

seasons and

Their commonality with Maharashtra, Karnataka states of India

Name :Tanvi .S. Bhembre

IX A

Roll No: 5

Mahila Nutan High School

 GOA

Goa (pronounced /ˈɡoʊ.ə/ ; Konkani: गोंय) is India's smallest state by area and the fourth
smallest by population. Located in South West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is
bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while
the Arabian Sea forms its western coast.

Panaji is the state's capital, while Vasco da Gama is the largest city. The historic city of Margao
still exhibits the cultural influence of the Portuguese.

Renowned for its beaches, places of worship and world heritage architecture, Goa is visited by
large numbers of international and domestic tourists each year. It also has rich flora and fauna,
owing to its location on the Western Ghats range, which is classified as a biodiversity hotspot.

Languages
The Goa, Daman and Diu Official Language Act, 1987 makes Konkani in the Devanagari script
the sole official language of Goa, but provides that Marathi may also be used "for all or any of
the official purposes". The Government also has a policy of replying in Marathi to
correspondence received in Marathi.[27]Konkani in the Roman script[28][29]

Konkani is spoken as a native language by about 61.21% of the people in the state. Other
linguistic minorities in the state as of 1991 are Marathi (27.12%), Kannada (3.41%), Urdu
(2.81%), and Hindi (2.09%).[30] The Portuguese language, which was used during the colonial
era, is less popular now
People and culture
Goan Cuisine
Rice with fish curry (Xit kodi in Konkani) is the staple diet in Goa. Goan cuisine is renowned for
its rich variety of fish dishes cooked with elaborate recipes. Coconut and coconut oil is widely
used in Goan cooking along with chili peppers, spices and vinegar giving the food a unique
flavour. Pork dishes such as Vindaloo, Xacuti and Sorpotel are cooked for major occasions
among the Catholics. An exotic Goan vegetable stew, known as Khatkhate, is a very popular dish
during the celebrations of festivals, Hindu and Christian alike. Khatkhate contains at least five
vegetables, fresh coconut, and special Goan spices that add to the aroma. A rich egg-based multi-
layered sweet dish known as bebinca is a favourite at Christmas. The most popular alcoholic
beverage in Goa is feni; Cashew feni is made from the fermentation of the fruit of the cashew
tree, while coconut feni is made from the sap of toddy palms.

Hindu Goans use less heat,tamarind and Kokum for souring and jaggery for sweetening.They use
asafoetida,fenugreek,curry leaves,mustard and urad dal.[2] It is not very spicy,less amount of
onion and garlic is used.It also includes more use of vegetables, lentils, pumpkins, gourds,
bamboo shoots, roots etc. It is less oily and the medium of cooking is coconut oil.[2]

Goan Saraswat Brahmin sub-castes, Daivajna Brahmins are mostly fish eaters. Broadly they can
be considered as facultative vegeterians, i.e. they eat fish and chicken on most of the days, while
eating strict vegetarian (no meat, no-fish diet) food on some days, due to religious reasons. Fish
and meat in their diet is considered as non-vegetarian.On the other hand other Brahmins
belonging to Pancha Dravida category are strictly vegetarian. Their vegetarian cuisine is unique.
The rest of the Goan Hindus are non-vegetarian, but unlike the Catholic Goans, do not eat beef
or pork, due to religious beliefs.

 Fish curry called as Human ('हूमण' in Konkani) and rice ('शीत' or 'भात ') ,also known as
Kadi.
 Fried fish (तळील्ले नूस्ते)
 Fish Suke or Dhabdhabit (सुकें) - dry spicy preparation of fish, eaten as side dish.
 Fish Udid Methi or Uddamethi (उद्दमेथी) - Fenugreek and fish.
 Kismur (किस्मुर)
 Dangar or the Fish cutlets (डांगर)
 Kalputi - with different varieties of fish (कळपुटी)
 Bhaji or Shak made of different vegetables and fruit (भाजी or शाक)
 Khatkhate (ख़तखतें )
 Tondak, made of beans, cashew nuts etc (तोंडाक)
  Different varieties of sweets made of rice, lentils like Payasa, Patoli, Mangane, Kheer etc
( गोड्शें )
 Different varieties of Pickles and Papads (लोणचे and पापड)
 Solachi kadi, a spicy coconut and kokum curry (कडी)

Catholic Cuisine

Chamuças, a Goan Samosa.

Pomfret fried fish

Goan prawn curry

 Crab

 Ambot tik - A sour curry dish prepared with either fish or meat.
 Arroz doce - A Portuguese derivative of kheer (sweetened rice) of India.
 Balchão - A curry based on a traditional sauce from Macao, made from shrimp,
aguardente, laurel, lemon and chili.
 Canja de galinha - A type of chicken broth with rice and chicken, and is originally a Goan
recipe.
 Chamuças - A Goan derivative of samosa.
 Samarein Chi Kodi - Goan curry made with Fresh and Dried Prawns
 Pattoe or Patoleo - A dish of turmeric leaves stuffed with rice, dal, jaggery, and coconut.
 Sanna - A dry rice cake, considered to be a Goan variant of idli.
 Solantule kodi - A spicy coconut and kokum curry
 Vindaloo - A spicy curry whose name is derived from the Portuguese term for a garlic
and wine (vinho e alho) marinade. This is popular in the West, particularly the United
Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. Unrelated to aloo (potato).[3]
 Bebik (Bebinca) - A pudding traditionally eaten at Christmas

Cashewnut laddus, Nevryo, Khaje, Revdyo, Peda, Puran Poli, Sakhar Bhat, Mangane, Payasa are
other well-known dishes. Also, there are several types of halwa like Dali kapa (Halwa made of
red gram), Cashewnut Halwa,Mango Halwa ,Banana Halwa, Dodol, Pumpkin Halwa etc.
 Festivals of Goa

Shanta Durga temple at Kavlem.

The tableau of Goa showcases religious harmony by focusing on the Deepastambha, the Cross,
Ghode Modni followed by a chariot. Western royal attire of kings and regional dances being
performed depict the unique blend of different religions and cultures of the State. The festival of
music and dance, Shigmo Mel or the Holi and Spring celebrations,signify unity in diversity.[35]
Prominent local festivals are Chavoth, Diwali, Christmas, Easter, Shigmo, Samvatsar Padvo,
Dasara, carnival etc.The Goan Carnival and new year celebration is known to attract a large
number of tourists.

Carnival in Goa.
 Shigmo festival.

Goa has two World Heritage Sites: the Bom Jesus Basilica [1] and a few designated convents.
The Basilica holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier, regarded by many Catholics as the
patron saint of Goa (the patron of the Archdiocese of Goa is actually the Blessed Joseph Vaz).
Once every twelve years, the body is taken down for veneration and for public viewing. The last
such event was conducted in 2004. The Velhas Conquistas regions are also known for its Goa-
Portuguese style architecture.

Dance and music

Goan Hindus are very fond of Natak, Bhajan and Kirtan. Many famous Indian Classical singers
hail from Goa, including Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Kishori Amonkar, Kesarbai Kerkar,
Jitendra Abhisheki and Pandit Prabhakar Karekar. Some traditional Goan art forms are dekhnni,
fugdi, corridinho, Mando and dulpod.

Music of Goa refers to the music from the tiny state of Goa, on the west coast of India. It has
produced a number of prominent musicians and singers for the world of Indian music too (and
including for the films of Bollywood).

Goa has produced some of the finest performers of Hindustani classical music, such as the
eminent vocalist Kesarbai Kerkar (1892–1977). Lata Mangeshkar, the most famous singer in the
history of the Indian film industry, is the daughter of a Goan, Dinanath Ganesh Mangeshkar, as
is her sister Asha Bhosle. In recent times, Goa has become home of one strand of the Trance
music scene.

Traditional music
The traditional Goan musical instruments are dhol,mridanga,Tabla, ghumat,kasale,madlem,
Shehnai, surt, Tasso, Nagado,tambura. Mridanga or Pakhawaj is a wooden cylinder covered at
both ends with a goat skin,and is very important part of Hindu devotional songs sung in the
temples and is always accompanied by cymbals called as taal in Konkani and sometimes Zanz.
The ghumat is an earthen-ware pot-like vessel made by Goan potters with openings on the two
opposite sides, one large and the other small in diameter, with the middle portion much bulging
outwards. On the larger opening with the edge conveniently moulded for the fitting, a wet skin of
a lizard (lacerda ocelata), known in Konkani as sap or gar, is fully stretched to cover the whole
surface of the opening. When accompanying a song or dance the gumott is usually placed on the
left thigh. The ghmat is essential for Hindu festivals, some temple rituals like Suvari vadan,
bhivari and mando performances. A madlem is a cylindrical earthen vessel covered at both ends
with the skin of a lizard and is mostly played by the Kunbis, whereas tambura is a stringed
instrument like the veena but with only one string is normally used during Hindustani classical
concerts.

The Portuguese brought the piano, the mandolin and the violin to Goa.

Konkani song may be classified in four groups: One which draws on the mere pristine form in
music and verse, as in the fugdi or the dhalo; the second which blends western and native music
but retains Konkani lyrics as in deknnis; the third which blends native and western music as well
as language as in dulpod; and the fourth which has a marked influence of western music and
lyrics in Konkani with many borrowed Portuguese words as in mando.

As many as 35 types of Konkani Song have been classified. These include banvarh, deknni,
dhalo, dulpod, duvalo, fell song, fughri, kunnbi song, launimm, mando, ovi, palnnam, talghari,
tiatr song, zagor song and zoti. The Christian and Hindu religious song is also a type of its own.

Banvarh is a mourning song, usually sung on the day of cremation by Hindus.

Deknni is a song which originated in Bardez, Ilhas and Salcete.

Deknni performed by women folk.

Dhalo is a wedding song.

Dulpod is a dance song with quick rhythm and themes from everyday Goan life.
 Fell is folk drama with themes from Indian epics or Indian history. It is performed by
wandering artists usually after the rains, which start in June and end in August or September. The
fell song is a dance song.

Fughri is a dance song performed on religious occasions, particularly in honour of the deity
Ganesha.

The Kunnbi, who are probably together with the Gaudde the oldest inhabitants of Goa, belong to
the peasant strata. The kunnbi song is a dance song in the fughri style depicting their own life,
but also protesting against exploitation and social discrimination in a subtle manner.

Kunnbi Dance.

Launim is a song dealing with religious and legendary themes.

Mando is a dance song whose major theme is love, the minor ones being historical narratives,
grievance against exploitation and social injustice, and political resistance during the Portuguese
presence in Goa.

Mando is being performed by a group of villagers.

Ovi, which the Portuguese termed as versos, is a song with nuptial themes. It has the Sanskrit
root vri which means “to choose, to select”. The ovi has three rhymed lines and one unrhymed.
The former contain each three or four words and the fourth line one, two, and exceptionally three
words. The number of syllables is nine for the rhymed lines and four or five for the last line. The
early Portuguese Christian missionaries adopted the ovi-form for liturgical and devotional
hymns.

Palnnam is a cradle song, a lullaby.

 Talgarhi is a song of the Gaudde. The theatre song is sung during the stage play, mainly
performed by wandering artists during the dry season. They entertain the public while touching
on daily life, but also sing subtle satires on local politics and the shortcomings of Goans.

Zagor means “watch”. The zagor song is sung in kunnbi folk plays depicting their own life. They
are usually staged at night. Zoti is sung at nuptials.

The Christian and Hindu song for the liturgy and popular devotions is an essential part of Goan
daily life.

Similarity of Goan Culture with other States of India.

Goa has similarity with other states like Maharashtra, Karnataka in terms of

1. Maharashtra for Malvani Cuisine ,Festivals and Dance

2. Karnataka (Belgaum) for the Malvani cuisine

Malvani cuisine is comman in Goa ,Maharashtra and Karnataka

Malvani cuisine is the standard cuisine of the Konkan region of Maharashtra and Goa, and some
northern parts of West Karnataka. Although Malvani cuisine is predominantly non-vegetarian,
there are many vegetarian delicacies. Although it is an independent cuisine, it overlaps
Maharashtrian cuisine and Goan cuisine. Malvan is a town in the Sindhudurg district on the west
coast of Maharashtra.

Malvan being a coastal area in Konkan, it has its own distinct way of cooking food. Malvani
cuisine uses coconut liberally in various forms such as grated, dry grated, fried, coconut paste
and coconut milk.

Many masalas have dried red chilies and other spices like coriander seeds, peppercorns, cumin,
cardamom, ginger, garlic, etc. Some dishes also use kokum, dried kokam (amsul), tamarind, and
raw mango (kairi).

However not all of the cuisine is hot and spicy. The 'Konkanastha Brahmin' style of food is quite
bland yet very tasty and vegetarian too.

Fish dishes dominate the Malvani cuisine. The fiery seafood curries may be a bit too spicy for
some people, but are quite tasty. The Malvani cuisine is very similar to Goan or coastal South
Indian cuisine.
Sol Kadhi is a pink colored appetizer drink made from the kokam fruit and Coconut Milk, often
drunk after particularly hot and spicy Konkani / Malvani meal as it is very soothing.

Important Dishes
 Kombdi Vade (कोंबडी वडे) or Murgh Malvani is a non-vegetarian dish, which is quite popular in
Maharashtra. The dish consists of the traditional Malvani chicken curry (including chicken pieces
with bones), vade (like a puri, which is a fluffy, fried bread of wheat and nachni flour), onion,
lemon and solkadhi.

 Mori Masala (मोरीचां मटण)or Shark curry is a highly popular dish along the Konkan coast.

 Solkadhi (सोलकडी) is an energizing curry drink, highly popular in Konkan. It is made from
coconut milk and kokam. It is usually served with Kombdi Vade, various fish delicacies and
Mutton Malvani.

 Bangda Fry (तळल्लो बांगडो) is a popular dish, especially in Mumbai. The head of the Bangda
(mackerel) fish is removed and discarded and the other part is fried as a whole.

 Malvani Mutton Curry is a highly popular dish throughout the Konkan region. It is similar to
Murgh Malvani except that the spices are slightly different.

 Kavda Curry (कवड्याचां मटण) is an extremely delicious dish made from a local Konkani bird
called "Khavda".

 Bombil Fry or Bombay Duck Fry is an immensely popular dish, especially in north Konkan regions
such as Mumbai and Raigad.

 Paplet Saar is a dish consisting of Pomfret cooked in traditional Malvani fish curry. This dish is
especially popular in Mumbai.

 Phanasachi Bhaji is an exotic vegetarian dish, made from Jackfruit, chillies and spices.

 Kaju Chi Aamti is a spicy curry of cajus (cashews). It is a spicy preparation and is savoured by the
Malvani populace.

 Fish Koliwada is an appetizer which has its origin in the coastal city of MumbaiPunjabi migrants
from Pakistan settled around Sion Koliwada, who started this unique style of simple yet packed
with flavours, fried fish which today is known all over as Fish Koliwada.

Breads and cakes

 Dhondas or Cucumber Cake is a baked preparation made from cucumber, rava and jaggery.
 Ghavan is a fried pancake and is especially popular in the Sindhudurg district. Its netted
appearance gives it an even more enigmatic feel.

 Khaproli (खापरोळी ) is a sweet dish, highly popular in southern Konkan. The dish consists of a
fluffy pancake dipped in yellow sweet juice.

 Tandalachi Bhakri (तांदळाची भाकरी ) is a Bhakri made of rice flour. It is the Malvani equivalent of
the Maharashtrian Jowari Bhakri or Bajri Bhakri, which is popular throughout the Deccan.

 Malvani Malpua is a sweet deep-fried delicacy, highly popular in Maharashtra. The dish is
especially in big demand during the Islamic holy month of Ramzaan.

Festivals of Maharashtra are similar to Goa

 Ganesha during Ganesh Chaturthi Festival, a popular festival in the Goa and
Maharashtra.
 Lord Ganesha's devotion is celebrated by Ganesh Chaturthi (Ganesh's birthday) in
August–September of every year.[46] Town of Pen in Raigad district is famous for Ganesh
Idols. Lalbaugcha Raja, Shri Siddhivinayak Temple, Shri Ashtavinayaka's are the major
holy places for Maharashtrians.
 Popular forms of God are Shiva, Krishna and Ganesha. Lord Shiva's devotion is
celebrated by taking part in Maha Shivaratri (Night of Shiva) festival. In modern times,
the Elephanta island in Mumbai, Lord's Shiva island in local mythology, originated the
Elephant Festival.
 Lord Krishna's devotions are celebrated in the state-wide Gokul Ashtami (or Krishna
Janmashtami, Krishna's birthday) whereby many devotees fast on the entire day until
midnight. The Dahi-Handi (Matki-fod) is also observed on this day at many places.[47]
Lord Krishna's devotion are also celebrated at Kaartik Aamawasya (or Diwali) and at
Narak Chaturdashi as returning of Lord Shri Rama.
 The other festivals celebrated on the large scale are Vijayadashami or Dasara (Marathi:
दसरा), Navaratri, Holi, Diwali, Eid (Ramzan Eid). Simollanghan is a ritual performed on
Dasara or Viajaya Dashami day in Maharashtra. Simollanghan is crossing the border or
frontier of a village or a place. In ancient times, kings used to cross the frontier of their
kingdom to fight against their rivals or neighbor kingdoms. They used to perform Ayudha
Puja on Dasara and begin the war season. On Dasara, people cross the borders of their
places (Seemollanghan) and collect the leaves of Apta tree (आपट्याची पाने) and exchange
among their friends and relatives as gold (सोने म्हणून आपट्याची पाने दे तात).[48] People
worship Shami tree and its leaves (शमीची पाने) on this day. On Vijayadashami or Dasara
14 October 1956 Dr. B. R. Ambedkar embraced Buddhism along with his 2-3 lakh
followers at Nagpur. And since then Buddhist people observe it as a 'Dhammachakra
Pravartan Day' (Marathi: धम्मचक्र प्रवर्तन दिन).