The earliest historical document that I have
researched is the documented will of Canon Fr Francisco da Cunha Souto Maior (1677-1736). This historic
document mentions Caranzalem as a beautiful farmland to be preserved for
posterity as a farmland for agricultural purposes and for the charitable
‘Mitra’ – a trust created by Fr Souto Maior to defray the expenses of the
masses to be held in perpetuity for the family of Souto Maiors and for the poor
souls and for the benefit of the poor. The ‘Mitra’ also talk of many charitable
deeds to be performed therein. The name ‘Mitra bazar’ has been derived from
here and in this place stands the famous heritage ‘Ruzai Saibinichem Copel’ or
St Peter’s Chapel of Caranzalem dedicated to the late Fr Souto Maior.
This historic heritage chapel of Rosary or
St Peter’s Chapel of Caranzalem was built perhaps on the orders of Fr Souto
Maior in the year 1731. The chapel stands out with its distinct architectural
style with a Gothic style pointed triangular arch. The façade of the chapel
till recently carried the royal insignia of the Souto Maiors and also an
original inscription in Portuguese on its front wall. However, today both these
historic relics of 1736-37 have disappeared from the wall. This prompted me to
write to the Archbishop to which His Grace the Archbishop has replied
positively saying he would look into the matter. I would like to appeal to the
Chapel authorities to restore those two heritage relics.
Caranzalem has a number of heritage houses,
crosses, chapels and the famous Caranzalem beach. It also houses the famous St
Francis Xavier Chapel at Kerant. This now renovated Chapel was originally built
in 1928 and blessed on October 12, 1930. In 1935, it was further enlarged.
Caranzalem has a completely ruined house with an intriguing shipwreck memorial.
Caranzalem was originally a fisherman’s cove and the place is noted for its
heritage rice lands called the ‘morod’ and the ‘ker’. Traditional vegetables
like the famed purple pot-shaped ‘brinjals’, ‘tambdi bhaji’, lady finger,
radish, ‘vaal’ (runner beans), ‘gadde’ (turnips), etc are grown in Caranzalem.
Some of the well-known families of Caranzalem have been Estrocios, the Pos, the
Fernands, the Pai family, the Netravalkars amongst several others. The famous
Bhatkar’s house of Mendes of 1956, the Martin’s house, the Netravalkar’s house
with its century and a plus wooden balcao are the landmark heritage houses of
Caranzalem.
At Tonca-Caranzalem was the famous house of
the Quenis (Keni family) of 1938 housing the Marao soap factory. Noted editor,
writer, freedom fighter, historian B D Satoskar lived in Caranzalem and wrote
his monumental work ‘Gomantak: Prakriti ani Sanskriti’ Vol. I, II & III
here. Caranzalem’s importance grew when a road was built during the tenure of
the Portuguese Governor Conde de Torres Novas linking Panaji with Donapaula via
Caranzalem, inaugurated on November 3, 1859. The heritage Pillar at
Tonca-Panaji commemorates this historic event.
Caranzalem also has some popular old
bakeries which were set up during the Portuguese rule. In the early ‘70s,
Caranzalem was the scene of a gruesome murder where a mother and child were
murdered in an old house. The murderer, Kumar, from Kerala, was the first to be
hanged in Goa after liberation.
Caranzalem was also noted for its famous
heritage sports ground, called the Desportivo, famous its football matches. It
is unfortunate that today Caranzalem’s greenery is being denuded. The First
Lady Mayor of Panaji Municipal Corporation, Carolina Po, was from Caranzalem.
We need to save the history and heritage of Caranzalem.
