In enchanting Goa, every old house tells captivating tales. Heta Pandit, an author and co-founder of the Goa Heritage Action Group, is well-versed in these narratives.
Through her Instagram platform, she has been sharing fascinating snippets about these heritage abodes. One intriguing revelation is that many Goan houses bear affectionate nicknames. Take, for instance, her own property in Saligao, aptly called the Goddgodo House. The name derives from the Konkani word for thunder, as the previous owner, Sunny D’Mello, was renowned for his booming voice akin to thunder. Even decades after his passing, and many years after Heta’s residence there, locals still fondly refer to it as the Goddgodo House.
Heta’s latest endeavor, a coffee table book titled “Stories from Goan Houses,” takes this storytelling journey to new heights. This remarkable compilation documents 21 houses, including illustrious properties like the Figueiredo Mansion in Loutolim, South Goa, which boasts a history dating back to the 1580s, making it older than the Taj Mahal itself. Once owned by Maria de Lourdes, the first Goan member of the Portuguese Parliament, this mansion has evolved into a museum, a heritage homestay, and the cherished dwelling of Maria de Fatima Figueiredo de Albuquerque and her family, representing the 13th generation of their lineage.
With passion and determination, she delves into the intricacies of restoring these precious houses that are rapidly vanishing from the Goan landscape.
Despite the challenges, Pandit remains optimistic about the future of Goan houses. She firmly believes that people will come to recognize the value of recycling and preserving heritage homes, finding it to be a more practical, cost-effective, and environmentally-friendly option than constructing entirely new structures. In her conclusion, she emphasizes the potential and hope for a thriving future for these invaluable pieces of Goan heritage.
Via: The Hindu
Heta Pandit with a copy of Stories from Goan Houses
Inside the Figueiredo Mansion in Loutolim, South Goa
Architecture Books Heta Pandit Indo-portuguese Tourism
Last modified: September 27, 2023
