PANAJI: For generations, banana leaves have been an inseparable part of Hindu festivals such as Chaturthi, Diwali and Gudi Padwa. Used to serve traditional meals and as offerings during religious rituals, the humble leaf continues to retain its significance in Goa’s festive traditions.
With demand for banana leaves rising during the ongoing Chaturthi celebrations, one elderly vendor at Panaji’s famous market continues a traditional trade that he has quietly pursued for more than two decades.
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Meet Zilu Naik, a senior citizen who can be found in a small corner of the Panaji market, selling nothing but fresh banana leaves.
Speaking to Herald TV, Zilu recalled that he took up the trade following the death of his wife, who had earlier operated the stall. She sold banana leaves along with mangoes and vegetables.
A retired employee of the Goa Tourism Development Corporation, Zilu decided to continue the business after her passing and has now been selling banana leaves for more than 20 years.
He sources the leaves from farmers across Goa as well as from Belagavi in Karnataka, ensuring a steady supply for customers, particularly during the festive season.
Zilu’s working day begins early, at around 6.30 a.m., and continues until approximately 1 p.m., depending on customer demand.
Over the years, he has also witnessed a significant rise in the price of banana leaves. From being sold at much lower rates in the past, a single leaf now costs around ₹10 to ₹11.
For many shoppers, a banana leaf may simply be another item on the festival shopping list. But for Zilu Naik, the leaves represent something far more meaningful.
For over two decades, he has continued a humble trade inherited from his late wife, quietly preserving a small but enduring part of Goa’s festive and culinary traditions.
