`A SHORTCUT TO TIPPERARY’ By Radharao F Gracias, softcover, published by Broadway Publishing House, Rs495
By Tara Narayan
ZE long awaited book is here. A first book to read! Knowing the author of A Shortcut to Tipperary’ Radhjarao F Gracias and what an interesting human being he is in Goa, the though automatically comes: How can I not read this newest of books on Goa’s life and times gone by. Any book by lawyer, legislator, activist, columnist, debator and orator Radharao F Gracias would make for some valuable reading time! Although many of us may ask where is Tipperary and what is the reference in the title? Read the book to find out (Tipperary Country is in distant Ireland where presumably a way of life is being lost as in Goa). The book echoes all that is precious about Goa and which comes from the past, its joys and pains, as the generations rise and shine and die….a much treasured way of life is giving way, to be replaced by migrant settlers from outside Goa who perhaps couldn’t care less about Goa’s history and its native people who made the land what it is and of which everyone wants a fat slice off. Presumably Radharao F Gracias’ bookA Shortcut to Tipperary’ is a dream of Tipperary Country in faraway Ireland and where a way of life is being lost slowly and then rapidly! Perhaps the author has been there and fell in love with Tipperary…and the charmed life of those who lived in harmony with the natural world. Goa is well written about past, present and future and this yet another story of Goa which makes the heart ache, never mind that so many Goans had to migrate abroad in search of greener pastures quite simply because life was so grim and grindingly poor for the many in the Goa of the past.
The book comes alive as it etches perfectly the slow paced life of village Goa and bares the pathos and sorrows and joys of a simple people who farm their land, pray devotedly and share their joys and sorrows. In his Foreword to the book Xavier Cota says, “`A Shortcut to Tipperary” is a meticulously crafted, delightfully, morality play that heralds the arrival of an extremely talented, insightful writer on the English fiction scene and has readers anticipating a speedy sequel.” The book is largely about Catholic Goa’s life and times and takes an unapologetic pride in defining what Goenkarponn means to Goans and puts the record straight about the largely unsung contribution contribution of Goan Catholic to the nation.
Whether this is true or not anyone who lives in Goa or loves Goa or comes as a tourist or traveller often – must make it a point to understand Goa and where it is coming from. This is a compelling together of yesteryear life and times of a Goa which we still get to experience…you want to know the heart of Goa you will find it here in this compelling narrative through the eyes of a man who loves his Goa! Say it tells you of the real Goa though the eyes of a bhatkar (landlord) who lives the good life in Goa and has a ringside view of village Goa and participates or shapes many of the stories…be it of those who migrated broad for greener pastures, or those who stayed behind to live the good life!
Most first time books make for fascinating reading and this one is more fascinating, made so by one of Goa’s sharpest, keenest and most gracious minds – that of Radharao F Gracias. There are stories within stories here in “A Shortcut to Tipperary” (from Goa) to appreciate and take cognizance of and of course may Goans at home and abroad will say more please…for Goans live on nostalgia. Both Hindu Goa and Catholic Goa!
Excerpted from `A Shortcut to Tipperary’ by Radharao F Gracias…
Chapter 18
Watermelon Competition
Months pass by and the competition organised by the Village Panchayat for the best water melon produced by a villager is due the following Sunday. Alberto and I proceed to the Panchayat after Mass. Farmers bring their water melons carefully tended, to the pandal set up for the purpose A crowd of people has gathered, each person, making his own guess as to who the winner will be. I see my friends Caetano, Luis and Manuel too bring their water melons for the competition and it is easy to see that they have by far the best looking water melons.
The Judges have no difficulty as the circumference of the water melons is measured and they are weighed. An hour later the Sarpanch, other members and the Secretary come out. He announces the prizes.
a) Third prize goes to Caetano Fernandes from Luis ward Calata, the circumference is 103 cm, weight 11.73kg. A loud applause follows.
b) Second prize goes to Luis Fernandes of the same ward, 117cm and 13.69 kilo. Applause again.
c) And the First prize goes to Manuel Mendes, 127 cm and 15.83 kg from the same ward. There is thunderous applause as it is announced that this year’s watermelons are record breaking.
The Sarpanch stands up and makes a brief but, obligatory speech.
“I see that the competition is drawing more and more participants every year, a sign that our farmers are active. As the whole of Goa knows, the name Utorda represents quality in watermelons. The reputation has been earned over the generations by our ancestors and we have to maintain it.
“For the first time this year, Utorda has been pushed out of the winner’s podium and Calata has swept the prizes. It is a welcome development as competition is the core of the success. I am sure Utorda farmers will take it up as a challenge and come out with greater vigour in the coming year. Calata on the other hand must try to maintain it.
“For the first this year, Utorda has been pushed out of the winner’s podium and Calata has swept the prizes. It is a welcome development as competition is the core of success. I am sure Utorda farmers will take it up a challenge and come out with greater vigour in the coming year. Calata on the other hand must try to maintain their position.
“The Calata win is the real surprise. I wonder what is the secret they have found? I do hope they share it with the community. Maybe the secret could be applied for other agricultural practices like rice farming which could help the country reduce its dependence on import of rice. My congratulations to the winners for the surprise they have sprung on the village. You all took Utorda farmers totally off guard who I suppose must been complacent. And let me add Utorda has always displayed a fighting spirit. I expect them back in the ring next year to challenge the new champions.”
Now it is the turn of Manuel to stand before the mike as the winner, and respond. He is extremely hesitant. H has never before appeared on a stage to speak. He is encouraged by his peers and goaded to go for it. He reluctantly steps out before the mike. His nervousness is visible. He stutters to begin with. But ten, unexpectedly he gets into the groove adjusts the mike and begins his address.
“It was never my intention or that of the second and third prize winners to participate in the competition. We had planted our watermelons in normal course for home consumption and for sale in the market as in the past. But we did try something new. Still we never believed we could challenge the Utorda farmers. But as the watermelons grew, they kept growing. We have earned more by the sale of water melons this year alone than we have earned in the last three years together. And it is not merely the watermelons that we displayed this competition. If we were to bring more we could have swept the top hundred places. Such is the quality.
“Now do not ask me how we managed it. As farmers we have a right to keep our methods to ourselves. Has Utorda ever shared their knowhow? Why should we? Look out for next year. The best way to improve the quality is through completion. And by finding new ways to improve crop. As we have done. Let me tell you we have produced record breaking melons this year. And if Utorda wants to beat us let them break this record. Till then we may not even participate gain. Thank you,” He concludes to applause.
As we return home the friends are cocky as ever. “Tell me why did you take credit for the oversized produce when all of us know nothing about the sudden spurt in the growth of the watermelons?”
Manuel’s response makes me appreciate that he is not the country bumpkin I thought he was.
“Why must we display our ignorance? Why must we let them know that it’s a chance happening? Let them believe we have a secret up our sleeves. We may not produce such watermelons again. So it is better to not to participate and lose. Let us maintain our record. Winners on debut and a record-breaking win but if we do get such giant-size watermelons we can be back to improve the record. If not, we can always tell them so long as our record remains we shall not compete!”
My friends are mobbed by the villagers trying to find out what they had fed the plant to produce such record-breaking water melons. After all, none of them has had a reputation for farming. The truthful answer is, “the usual meat waste.” Nothing special.