THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2024
Janice Noronha
Known for its shimmering coastline and vibrant atmosphere,
Goa offers a unique blend of sun, sand, and shopping. Stalls located along the
routes leading to popular beaches like Calangute, Anjuna, and Baga enthrall
beachgoers and tourists alike. These stalls consist of tents and tables where
vendors display a wide range of products, offering unique and fashionable items
that reflect the vibrant spirit of Goa. From designer clothes to bags, shoes,
and handmade jewellery, shoppers can find an array of sophisticated items,
creating a diverse and exciting shopping experience. These streets attract both
fashion enthusiasts and those looking for distinctive souvenirs, ensuring that
there is something special for everyone to take back home. The affordable price
is just the icing on that cake.
There are numerous stalls where you can explore an extensive
variety of Goan fashion items. Visitors can find products from both local Goan
designers as well as from various parts of India. These stalls are particularly
attractive to those who love bohemian outfits. Cute and flowy midi dresses with
unique patterns and prints, crotchet tops and pants, and t-shirts with vibrant
tie-dye prints are popular choices and showcase the celebration of hippie
culture. Handicraft bags made of jute and rope are not just eco-friendly but
also fancy. For crystal enthusiasts, there are several stalls especially in
Baga that sell authentic and unpolished crystals at affordable prices. The
other options include jewellery made of crystals like the Amethyst, glass
earrings and ornaments made of aesthetic stones.
Another highlight of street shopping in Goa is the
availability of one-of-a-kind souvenirs. Small trinkets and novelties made of
coconut wood are widely available for sale, showcasing the local craftsmanship
and culture. The statues and figurines made of this timber are often shaded
with a dark scarlet red that truly add to their magnificence.
One can also find articles made of seashells that add a
touch of coastal charm to any home. A standout piece is the chandeliers made
out of seashells. Naseer Ali, a local vendor, explained that the shells they
offer are genuine beach finds from Goa. Some are transformed into beautiful
garlands and the others are used to make beautiful chandeliers and other
jewellery items. “The garlands are sold in bulk and are in high demand among
high-end hotels, which use these garlands made of seashells to welcome esteemed
ministers, bureaucrats, and other distinguished guests. Our best-selling items
are dream catchers and chandeliers.” Naseer noted that their main customers are
Indian. While foreigners usually buy only one or two items, Indians tend to
purchase souvenirs and other items for themselves and their family members.
Several vendors hail from different places brining a unique
touch to their stalls into our coastal state. Cho Phell, a former member of the
Special Frontier Force in the Indian Army, has been running a small jewellery
stall in Baga since 2000. He also has another outlet in Calangute that was
established in 1984. Cho Phell expressed that there is a significant demand for
Tibetan jewellery, which forms their primary merchandise. Despite the decrease
in the number of Tibetans, selling Tibetan jewellery remains a cherished
tradition.
He says, “From 1984 to 2019, our stall had an equal number
of foreign and Indian tourists as patrons. However, this has changed since the
Covid-19 pandemic, as fewer foreigners visit our stall now. As a result, we
have shifted our focus towards selling artificial jewellery which is more
affordable and appealing to our Indian customers.” While he strives to keep the
shop open during the monsoon season, heavy rainfall occasionally forces him to
close. The monsoon is more of an off-season for tourism so prices are at their
lowest and one wouldn’t necessarily need good bargaining skills to get the best
deal.
Agranshi Saxena from Lucknow, who is on her bachelorette
trip along with her friends, stated, “I personally love the fridge magnets and
the clothes. They are very funky and boho.” One of her friends, Arpita Jena
from Orissa, chimed in and added that the dream catchers and shell jewellery
stood out for her, and she loved the hats as well. When asked about the
difference in the street shopping scene compared to their hometowns, Agranshi
replied holding, “Here in Goa, it is very tourist oriented, which is why there
is a great difference in street shopping as compared to where we are from.
Also, since we’ve studied about culture and heritage as (former) architecture
students, we can see that a lot of culture is reflected in these items, which
is really cool.”
