With just the population of around 1.4 million and an area of 3,700 sq km,
it may seem quite amazing to you that there is a sufficient amount of
publication activity. The fact that Goan write in a number of languages (up
to 13 one study counts) may be the reason behind it. There are 164 libraries
and 11 printing presses in Goa. The book stores in Goa offers undoubtedly a
wide collection of books to choose from. We should not forget that Goa was
the first place in Goa to have a printing press. Some of the famous Goan
writers include R.V. Pandit, Philip Furtado, lino Leitao, Lambert Mascrenhas
and Pundalik Naik. A brief description of books on Goa are as follows.
Books on History of Goa
A History of Goa
This excellent book has a very good description on the meaning or
derivation of the village names. It was edited by Rev. J A J Da Costa.
Goa : Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow
A D Furtado has very beautifully covered the history of Goa. The book is
regarded on par with DA Costa's book. Built in 1540 A.D, this fort is
situated on the south headland of the river Mandovi opposite Fort Aguada.
The Cabo Fort is known severally in the modern times as the Cabo Fort, Cabo
Palace, Cabo Raj Niwas and even Raj Bhavan. Currently, the house of the
Governor's house, used to be the house of Viceroy in colonial India.
Folktales and Cultural Books on Goa
Goan Literature - A Modern Reader This special issue of
the journal on Goan Literature was edited by Prof Peter Nazareth. It is an
anthology of over 40 authors : poems, short stories, history, culture and
extracts of novels etc. Highly advised by all on this topic.
Village Goa
Prof Olivinho Gomes has a study of social structure, and change in rural
Goa as seen in a research of Chandor, a typical Goan village. Its 3
constituent hamlets show a cross-section of all the major socio-religious
communities in the region.
Presentation Books
Goa : Cultural Patterns Dr Saryu Doshi has edited this
book which has a very good collection of topic on music and dance,
landmarks, coins and stamps, cultural patterns etc. It is well illustrated
with glossy pictures.
Novels & Non Fiction Books By Goan Authors
Peers From A Willow Tree
This novel by Violet Lannoy Dias was released posthumously. It's gripping
from the very first page.
The Mango and The Tamarind TreeThis novel was situated in
a country like Uganda. Its social canvas includes all the characters present
in Uganda. They are Goans, Africans, South Asian and European. Prof Peter
Nazareth, its writer is regarded one of the top three writers in Uganda.
