G'BYE GOA: INDO - ARYANS - 2.

G’BYE GOA: INDO-ARYANS-2.

By Valmiki Faleiro.

Indo-Aryans entered India as invaders. The first major sign of human civilization they encountered was the Dravidian settlement, part of what is now known as Indus Valley Civilization: the walled Harappan city of Mohenjo-daro (excavated in 1922, by the banks of the Indus River, in Sind, now in Pakistan.) They attacked, looted and destroyed it.

Similar was the fate of Harappa (excavated in 1921, in the Punjab, also in Pakistan.) Such was the fate of the ancient Dravidian civilization that it was extinct by 1700 BC.(Sites to the south, where the Indo-Aryans did not reach, however, continued upto about 1000 BC.) The Indo-Aryans chased the native Dravid, Mundari and Proto-Australoid tribes southwards, and settled themselves in ‘Saptasindhu’ – a region extending from the Kabul River in the northwest to the doab of the Saraswati and Upper Ganga-Yamuna inthe southeast. Over time, as their numbers increased, they felt the need to expand into ‘Madhyadesh’towards the Gangetic valley, but had to contend with the Dravidians. By then, they had mastered the skill of making iron.

The earliest occurrence of iron in India is circa 1500BC. Smelting iron, or ‘krsna ayas’ (dark metal), helped them make tools to stabilize agriculture … and weapons to subdue the Dravidians and expand settlements. They contacted the Turvasas and Yadus who had been settled by Indra in Surastra. And informed them of Indra’s death, his deification, their onward march under Divodassa, and arrival by the banks of the Sindhu. The Turvasas and Yadus built atemple to Indra on the shores Surastra and called it ‘Somnath.’ Because, as they remembered in gratitude, Indra loved the sacrificial drink ‘Soma’ which gave him strength to go to battle.

A part of the Indo-Aryan community was settled in the doab between Hinduism’s most sacred river, Saraswati, and the Drishadvati. A 12-year famine helped teach Saraswats to survive eating fish – the only Brahmin denomination in India that eats fish. When the Indo-Aryans arrived in India, they had brought with them the horse and the chariot, the Sanskrit language, and the seeds of latter day Brahmanism or Vedism. Between about 2000 and 1500 BC, as Indo-Aryans spread into east and central India,there was growing interaction between them and the natives. A synthesis emerged by 1000 BC, as seen from expression of Aryan ethnicity in theRigveda (“Wisdom of the Verses”), written into 10 books over several centuries but completed circa 1000 BC.

Modern Hinduism began to get crystallized from the end of the Rigvedic period. The Rigveda was later supplemented by the three other Vedas and, still later, by the Brahmanas and the Upanishads. If Indo-Aryans used iron weapons to subdue the Dravidians in an earlier age, they now changed strategy. The new one was aimed to placate and avoid frequent confrontations,with the use of diplomacy. Even if they privately regarded Dravidians as people beyond the ‘Aryavarta’ and termedthem ‘mlecchas’ – impure barbarians, unfamiliar with the speech and customs of the Aryas – they shrewdly adopted the Dravidian dark-skinned god Shiva, and made him part of their ‘Trimurti’ (Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva, from the earlier Brahma-Vishnu-Mahesh.) This can be inferred to have happened during the early Vedic period (2nd millennium to7th century BC) because in the Vedas, Shiva is referred to as Rudra (the old tribal god‘Rouduro,’ now Rudreshwar), who becomes Shiva only in the Upanishads, centuries later.

A major earthquake in North India towards the end of the second millennium BC destroyed the Saraswati riverbed. The upheaval caused a substantial migration of Indo-Aryans from North India to Gujarat, where Mulraja, the ruler of Kathiawad, gave them shelter in an area that came to be referred to as ‘Saraswat Mandal.’ Several centuries later, a warrior-pastoral Bhargava clan from the Saraswat Mandal,moved to South Gujarat and settled in Surat and Navsari. It is a group of these Bhargavas from Surat/Navsari that ventured southwards by seaand became the first Indo-Aryans to settle in Goa. (To continue.)(ENDS.)

The Valmiki Faleiro weekly column.

Kuwait pays tribute to M. Boyer

By Gasper Crasto, Kuwait

Kuwait: Few artistes leave an immortal impression in this world. Padmashree recipient Shri M. Boyer will forever remain one of the greatest such artistes - an icon of Goan drama, Konkani language and art.

People who were fortunate to see M. Boyer on stage will perhaps never ever see another star of M. Boyer’s calibre – a great playwright, philosophical composer and singer.

Lovers and fans of M. Boyer held a condolence meeting in Kuwait to pay homage to the doyen of Konkani stage who expired on 30th May 2009. The meet was held on Saturday 6th June 2009 at Village Inn, Kuwait City. M.Boyer's mortal remains were laid to rest in Goa on 2nd June 2009 by hundreds of mourners, predominantly from the tiatrist faternity, tiatr lovers and Goans from all walks of life.







Sorrowful Goans, tiatr lovers and fans of late Shri. M. Boyer in particular attended the meeting. KHK President Fidelis Fernandes commenced the meeting with a speech on M.Boyer’s immortality. He described his and his father's close association with Boyer. As a matter of interest, Fidelis Fernandes was the first in Kuwait to bring Boyer to Kuwait to participate in Tiatros.

The other famous personalities from the Goan community who spoke and paid tributes to M. Boyer included Mario Rebello, Luis Cardoso who also conducted the prayer for the departed soul, Carmo Santos, Elvino Rodrigues, Alexander Fernandes and A. Veronica Fernandes. Gasper Crasto transliterated the philosophy and richness of Boyer’s song 'Ixttagoth' and sang it to music accompanied by Richard on keyboards.

A. Veronica enlightened the audience on the greatness of M. Boyer. He said M. Boyer was one of the greatest tiatrists - an unmatched composer, singer, actor, comedian, writer and director -- a tiatrist who brought a philosophical creation to songs. Veronica rendered in the form of song verses some of M. Boyer’s memorable hits in his speech which brought melancholy recollections of the great artiste. Some of the songs he rendered were from pre-liberation period and post liberation period which showed the greatness of M. Boyer. Very few amongst the masses in Goa and Kuwait are aware of these songs. Veronica, one of the living encyclopedia on tiatr showed a commendable memory to remember these immune songs.

A Video presentation of M. Boyer’s presence in a drama in Kuwait during his last trip to Kuwait was played to the gathering which brought tears to the eyes of many. In this same presentation it was shown His Excellency Prabhu Dayal, former Ambassador of India to the State of Kuwait honouring Shri M. Boyer at Kuwait Funaitees Tiatro Hall for bagging the Sangeet Natak Academy award from the President of India His Excellency Shanker Dayal Sharma.

Veronica Fernandes concluded the function acknowledging everyone’s presence and praying Eternal Rest to the departed soul.

Other Links:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/message/24778

Stalwart Goan accorded warm send-off

By Gasper Crasto

Photos by: Rewon Gomes, professional photographer.
Additional input: Gaspar Almeida, Moderator, Gulf-Goans e-Newsletter

Kuwait, June 2009: Alexander Fernandes, ex-President of Colva United Centre-Kuwait (CUC) and a stalwart of expatriate Goan in Kuwait for over 3 decades was given a grand send-off by the club at a function held at City Mughlai Restaurant on Friday, June 5, 2009.

Members of the club showed their affection to Alexander with the cutting of a specially prepared cake in honor of their leader. The function was attended by a number of distinguished guests from various circles.

Dignitaries who spoke on the occasion included Jacob Fernandes (newly elected CUC President), Muriel Alphonso (President - Indian Women's Association), Dr. Jaganath Chodankar (General Secretary of Indian Doctors Forum, and President - Club 9), Blandino Viegas (President, Kuwait Indian Football Federation), Kuwait Konknni Kendr member and journalist A.Veronica Fernandes, among a host of Goan personalities who wished him well.

Earlier, CUC P.R.O Joao Fernandes highlighted various accomplishments of Alexander and his popularity among expatriate Indians, especially Goans. Joao fernandes further highlighted Alexander's successful efforts to get CUC registered in Goa under the Societies Act and obtaining relevant permissions to invest CUC finances in mutual funds, government securities and also share trading in stock markets. In recognition of his efforts and his contributions, the CUC committee has overwhelmingly designated Alexander the title of Honorary Attorney in Goa to represent their interests back home.

A. Veronica Fernandes speaking

Dr. Jaganath Chodankar during his speech

Indian Women’s Association President Muriel Alphonso speaking at the function

P.R.O Joao Fernandes highlighting Alexander’s accomplishments

"I wish all the members of CUC, fellow Colvenkars and the large Goan community to keep up the good work and continue to foster unity and fraternity among the Indians living in Kuwait," concluded Alexander flashing his trade mark smile which will remain embedded in the minds of all.

The function was well coordinated by compere and CUC member Tony Viegas with DJ Mario providing music for the taste.

:::About Alexander Fernandes:::

Alexander has been in Kuwait for the last 34 years working with The Gulf Bank, his last position being the Assistant Manager in Trade Finance. Prior to his coming to Kuwait, he worked at the State Bank of India in some branch offices in Goa. He has a Bachelor's Degree (Commerce) from Pune University. A founder member and treasurer of the Goan Welfare Society since inception, Alexander has been involved with various social welfare activities over the years. A man of principles, he always contributed valuable, viable and progressive suggestions at GWS forums. He has been an active promoter and a protagonist of Goan causes including the promotion of Konkani language.

When Novem Goem Prathisthan was formed with the sole aim to publish a Konkani daily newspaper 'Novem Goem' back home in Goa, Alexander, along with A. Veronica Fernandes, and scores of Konkani lovers came forward to carry out the mission by forming a Kuwait Committee of Novem Goem Prathisthan. A sum of Rs. 4 lakhs were donated for the project in the name of Goans in Kuwait for the smooth running of the Konkani newspaper. Alexander was also at the forefront of Goans' movement to get Kuwait-Goa-Kuwait direct flight when NRI Goans faced many problems to travel to Goa via Bombay. Being an active member of Konkani Basha Mandal in Goa, he registered over 100 members in Konkani Basha Mandal from a varied spectrum of Goans when he landed in Kuwait.

When overseas Goans were called upon by Goenche Porjecho Avaz for support in getting Konkani language in the 8th Schedule of Indian Constitution which culminated in declaring Konkani as Official language and Goa as a separate State, Alexander played a pioneering role along with other fellow Goans in this movement and managed to collect about Rs. 5 lakhs for the successful mission. Alexander is also the member of Gulf Goans Hotels Company - a venture of a group of NRI Goans based in the Gulf, predominantly from Kuwait - which now has to its credit the impressive "Goan Heritage Hotel" in Calangute, Bardez, Goa.

Way back in 1982 in Goa, the project of Colva Parish Hall was lying incomplete due to financial constraints. Along with other progressive minded Colvenkars Alexander started the movement of mobilizing funds and managed to get about Rs 5 lakhs for the construction. The hall is now operational for the last 20 years. This movement led the foundation stone for the formation of Colva United Centre in Kuwait which today has become a vibrant and result oriented association not only for the people of Colva but for other Indian expatriates also. Alexander has been successfully leading the Centre for the last 6 years before the new committee was elected last May.

Colva United Centre's dream project is to start a '24 hour Modern Health Centre' in Colva under the Goa NRI Commissioner's scheme "Development of Your Own Village". According to CUC, the progress of the Health Centre project is progressing with the process of land acquisition already been initiated by local MLA who is also Goa's Tourism Minister.

Colva United Center - Managing Committee for the year 2009~2010

The newly Executive Committee of Colva United Centre for the year 2009~2010:

Jacob Fernandes - President; Ms. Celine Vaz -Vice President, Minino Ratus - Gen. Secretary, Gloyne Fernandes- Asst. Gen. Secretary, Manuel Fernandes - Treasurer, Agnelo Pereira - Asst. Treasurer, Tony Viegas - Cultural Secretary, Peter Fernandes (Willy) - Asst. Cultural Secretary, Joao Fernandes - Public Relations, Menino Fernandes -Asst. Public Relations, Ms. Violet Ratus - Asst. Public Relation,

Executive Members:
Cajy Diniz, Thomas Vaz, Xavier Mascarenhas, Rosary Fernandes, Alex Goes, Peter Fernandes.