Adv Radharao Gracias’ debut novel titled ‘Shortcut to Tipperary (From Goa)’ was released at a function held at Ravindra Bhavan in front of a huge audience that had the who’s who of society and well wishers in attendance. Published by Broadway Publishing House, the book was released at the hands of Dr Jason Keith Fernandes, in the presence of other eminent dignitaries such as senior journalist Alexandre Moniz Barbosa, who edited the book. The book is Gracias’ attempt at recreating life in rural Goa, in his younger days. The cover was designed by artist Norman Tagore who has also drawn the illustrations in the book. The story is fictitious with some actual incidents merged in, but the setting is real. One purpose, among others, is to leave a record of a way of life that is so quickly disappearing. And in doing so, the author has consciously taken recourse to tiatr (Konkani drama) an art form, which is quintessentially Goan.
An ode to the good old times
