Just three letters is all that it takes to make waves… literally! Yes, we meant Goa. Though tiny in size, the State has a huge recall value when it comes to fun and frolic. And, this is more obvious wherever Goans have settled all over the world, more so in Mumbai, where arguably you’ll find the biggest chunk of Goans living outside the coastal paradise
The Goan spirit
Living about 600km away from their native state, Goans here have carved a niche for themselves in the sea of Maharashtrians, Gujarathis, Marwaris, South Indians and others from all over the country. Though small in numbers in comparison to people from other states, they have managed to preserve their unique identity and their way of life in every possible way. Tiatrs are staged almost every weekend at popular auditoriums or on the grounds of local parishes. Religious festivals are celebrated with great pomp and revelry; there are dances and other community events. Carnival, though a smaller version, is the latest entrant and is celebrated in Borivali’s IC colony,Kurlaand at Marine Lines annually. And, one of the most important Goan traditions to have taken place in the last few years in Mumbai is that of Sao Joao. Every year the feast gets only bigger in the city. In fact, in Mumbai, you will find Sao Joao celebrations being hosted before and after June 24 as well, considering it’s a commercial city and everybody may not get an off on the preferred day of the event.
The lineup
This year, one of the first Sao Joao celebrations in Mumbai was held at Marine Drive’s famous Goan hotspot Catholic Gymkhana. Held on June 22, the bash had by far the biggest turnout this year. For the event, which started in the evening, two pools that were a replacement for Goan wells were created in the car park. A live band, Two Girls and a Guitar, belted out Konkani songs. There was a contest for the best flower wreath and costume. The menu for the evening comprised Goan fare– sorpotel, beef roast, pulao.. you name it. Incidentally, the celebration coincided with a Goan food festival at the venue. So, it was a double whammy, at least for food lovers.
Interestingly, there wasn’t any Sao Joao event in Mumbai on the actual day of the celebration, June 24, fearing no-shows – after all professional lives matter, and when Sao Joao is not a public holiday in Goa, there’s no question of it being one here. The second biggest Sao Joao celebration was held in the sleepy hamlet of Manori, situated in the northern outskirts of the city.
Owing to its proximity to the sea and Goa-like culture and topography, Manori has become a major tourist attraction over the years. Depending on where you stay in Mumbai, the place could be an hour to two hours away from the megapolis. But distances don’t really matter when all that you want is a piece of Sao Joao festivities. The organisers of the event — Goan Outreach Association, which is dedicated to keeping the Goan among us alive in the chaos of the bustling city – decided to ferry people from different corners of the city to the venue, a resort, in private buses early in the morning. The event kicked off with a ‘copel contest’, where it was mandatory to have real flowers, fruits and leaves.
In all, there were 10 groups. Each group was given a task, and 10 minutes to prepare themselves. There were rain dances, skits and Sao Joao specific performances. A lavish spread was laid up comprising 15 kg sorpotel specially prepared by the organisers and not the venue owners, sannas, fried chicken, pulao, salads, bhurji, poha, missal, kulfi and bhajiyas. But, the highlight of the event was a procession.
It goes on
The festivities continued the following Sunday as well. Held in Bandra,this Sao Joao celebration kicked off in the evening. A DJ spun Goan and Western chartbusters till late in the night. Many people sported traditional crowns. The food was a mix of everything. Though a smaller number of people showed up here, the bash’s intensity and fervor matched up the other festivities in the city.
