There are several things that are undisputed when discussing the socio-cultural sphere of the state, the wane of the social clubs’ standing being one of them. However, that they are still a large draw when an event unfolds is just as undisputed. The sheer congestion in traffic whenever Clube Vasco Da Gama, Clube Nacional or Clube Tenis De Gaspar Dias, in Panjim and Clube Harmonia de Margao (which as the name suggests, is from Margao) organise an event, is testament to that fact. Clube Harmonia is a curious case in itself, though, with the new managing committee (one that is far younger in terms of its average age, as opposed to its predecessors of several terms) striving to ensure that the club leaves a legacy that is far greater than being just a space to organise events. In saying that, Clube Harmonia de Margao most recently put together its initiative once more, ‘Margao Tinto’, an event that is absolutely free and open to everyone.

The tinto (literally meaning local marketplace) is organised by the managing committee of the club, keeping in line with the club’s objectives of encouraging, promoting and undertaking cultural activities. At the event, the most recent edition of which was held only yesterday, there is a series of stalls, set up by members of the club, where they sell homemade eatables like jams, pickles, juices, rissois de camarao, sorpotel and sannas, cabidela, empadinhas, pasteis de nata, pattoios, brownies, home-roasted cashew nuts and the like. In addition to this, there are also other items on sale, in the form handicrafts that include mugs, magnets, paintings etc; and there is also a section that caters to food and entertainment.

Speaking on the origins of the event, the club’s president, Ameet Pinto, shares a little insight. “We wanted to do something different for São João last year, so we decided to have this market place called tinto, so that people could display their talent. It was designed to be a place where housewives could sell traditional sweets, pickles, jams and juices. It would also serve as a platform for young entrepreneurs to market themselves,” he shares.

The tinto enters its second year now, this being the third edition of the event; and from last year to now, it has certainly grown in leaps and bounds. Ameet speaks on the early days of the event, saying “When we first fleshed out the idea and put it across to people last year, we had to beg people to set up stalls, as nobody understood the concept. This year we had to turn at least 25-30 people away. However, at the end of it, in hindsight, last year most of the stalls were sold out in June. In December it wasn’t as vibrant, but that is largely down to the demonetisation, which had hit the market at the time.”

However, despite what may have affected the previous edition of the festival, the club realised that event’s popularity was never in question, with a fan following that was only growing in numbers, leading this to being cemented for the third edition that unfolded yesterday.

“The tinto will be held two times in a year- in June and December. We have had three editions so far. Two have been organised on the day of Sao João (June 24), while the other was a Christmas market just before the holiday itself. The Christmas market has a representative theme, and the people there sell Christmas sweets and decorations too,” Ameet adds.

While the aim of the event is to keep things traditional, it is fair to say that there is a slightly west-ward leaning inclination when it comes to certain aspects of the tinto. However, Ameet points out that there is a need to do so, if one needs to lure the attendance of the younger members of the club.

“We prefer showcasing local cuisine and products, as the stakeholders have a big market in terms of people who turn up to buy their products. Though we try to be as Goan as possible, sometimes it is beyond our reach to stick to just that aspect of things, because the traditional ways don't attract the younger generation, so a very mild mix somehow attracts people of all ages. At least, that is what I had noticed from the previous edition of the tinto,” Ameet says.

As such, this time around, there was a star line-up of chefs, for those who want a taste of world-class cuisine. Chef Vasco ‘Vasquito’ Alvares was in attendance, doing what he does best… manning his barbeque and grills, as did Dibs on Ribs; while Fondekar Caterers and Ola Caterers handled the Goan Food. The popular guys from the food truck in Taleigao, known as Antojitos, also dished out some Mexican street food. And in keeping with the concept that no social club can have an event without a live band, old favourites in the form of traditional Goan band, Sky High played through the evening.

The initiative of the club has been one that is purely social, and not about cramming many little kiosks into one small space, as Ameet is quick to point out, elucidating “This is not a commercial event, and hence we have limited ourselves to just 25 stalls, and whatever money we make, we spend on the entertainment for the event.”

Goa’s social clubs have long since been an integral part of the local landscape, and yes, for a few years now, they have been threatening to slink into oblivion, as they are far less eye catching in the glare of a changing Goan landscape that seems to embrace a metropolitan lifestyle more with every passing day. However, when initiatives are put forth by them, and ‘Margao Tinto’ is a stellar example of one such initiative, one must certainly feel duty-bound to support them, or risk being one of the very reasons why these clubs no longer thrive.