The unkind cut
Roland Francis: I fully agree with what
Francis Noronha of Lethbridge Alberta has written in reply to Ben Antao’s
unnecessarily harsh and critical analysis of Cyprian’s books.
Being neither from
East Africa nor a resident in Goa except during Summer Holidays, I support the
need any Goan may have to write about his life experiences. These are precious
because that human ecology exists no more.
I enjoyed Cyprian’s
two books immensely while I found Ben Antao’s books extremely shallow. I am not
attempting a comparison here, but will go so far as to say that one who plays
in the wet mud of a village is bound to find it meaningless to look up to a
magnificent setting sun, let alone enjoy it.
Braz Menezes, Cyprian
Fernandes and to a certain extent Selma Carvalho have made a huge contribution
to my understanding of the Goan African experience.
Roland Francis
Vivian A. D’Souza: Ben's remarks were totally un-called for and
betray an underlying jealousy, as well as mis-conception about us East
Africanders. There is a certain panache about East Africanders which makes
those who did not experience that life, very jealous. I once had an
exchange with someone, who asked me to explain what was special about life in
Tanzania. He thought it was hum ho, and no different from life in Bombay,
where he grew up. I guess I could not adequately describe the ambience of
East Africa,
I exchanged correspondence with Ben Antao many years ago when he
was writing a novel about a Portuguese soldier who had defected and moved to Belgaum. I spent 6 years of my life in
Belgaum, so l was able to give Ben some tips, to make the novel appear
more authentic. Ben also visited us in Goa, so I got to see him but
have not been in touch with him in over a decade..
I was born in Tanzania, but the family moved to India when I was
12 years old as my father had to retire prematurely because of
ill-health. I returned to Tanzania when I was 19, got married there and
had two of our children there before emigrating to the USA where my wife and I
spent 32 years of our lives. In Tanzania we were not well off, lived in a
single bed-room apartment, an did not own a car or a scooter or even a bicycle
till 18 months before we left Tanzania. I had many African friends.
I was General Secretary of the Goan Institute for 2 + years at the time
of Tanganyika's independence, and our club was reserved by the
Government for all the diplomatic functions as it was the best facility
in town at that time. I was invited
" to all the Independence related functions, not because I was anyone of
importance, but they wanted me around in case there were any facility related
problems.
After educating our three children and seeing to them
getting married, we moved to Goa, to experience the life I recalled from my
younger days. We built a large house and are enjoying our life here. We
return to the USA for 3/4 months every year, as we maintain an apartment and a
car there. So we have the best of both worlds.
Despite having experienced the luxuries of the West, we still
remember our simple but very contented lives in Tanzania. In the last 6+
years of my life in Tanzania I worked for the American embassy, and visited
Nairobi at least two times a year on temporary duty. We remember the days in
Africa as the best days of our lives, even though we did not have much money.
We were the poor cousins of you Nairobi based folks, but living
by the beach, going fishing and enjoying fresh fruits of the sea, we were a
contented lot.
Cyprian, Francis Noronha has done an excellent job of
rebutting Ben's small minded comments. Don't worry about his
comments. You have achieved renown and are respected by many.
Warmest regards,
Vivian
MARK FONSECA: I am a Goan, born and bred in Bombay (now Mumbai) and
left India permanently in 1971 for Canada. In late 1973 I moved to Australia to
be with most of my family. So I have experienced life across 3 countries. I
have NEVER been to Africa and specifically Kenya but I am married to an ex
Kenyan and have many East African friends - all with wonderful memories of a
life in days gone by. I am a good friend of Cyprian Fernandes who I met in
Sydney and have worked with him for the Goan community here in Sydney. As you
may be able to gather from that, Cyprian is a very proud Goan, a popular and
respected person in our Goan Community here in Sydney.
In reading your review and opinion about
Cyprian's books, I find the general tone and some comments offensive and uncalled
for. You stated: "In 2017 to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary, Rudi
and I decided to bring out a second anthology called Goa Masala 2, but the
response was lukewarm and disappointing, in that several submissions were
tedious reminiscences of East Africa, of no general human interest. So we
shelved the project." How many people did you canvass for this opinion?
What has your failure got to do with Cyprian's
books? Could it be that the presentation was lacking and added little value to
the already rich heritage that is East African? Its colonial past was not the
subject of the book, nor was it intended to be. Africa retains a raw natural
beauty and heritage, regardless of its past colonial masters or present day
rulers that you could not expect a Goan from Goa to ever understand.
Added to that, I Ben Antao I am a
Goan, born and bred in Bombay (now Mumbai) and left India permanently in 1971
for Canada. In late 1973 I moved to Australia to be with most of my family. So
I have experienced life across 3 countries. I have NEVER been to Africa and
specifically Kenya but I am married to an ex Kenyan and have many East African
friends - all with wonderful memories of a life in days gone by.
I am a good friend of Cyprian Fernandes who I
met in Sydney and have worked with him for the Goan community here in Sydney.
As you may be able to gather from that, Cyprian is a very proud Goan, a popular
and respected person in our Goan Community here in Sydney. In reading your
review and opinion about Cyprian's books, I find the general tone and some
comments offensive and uncalled for.
You stated: "In 2017 to
celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary, Rudi and I decided to bring out a second
anthology called Goa Masala 2, but the response was lukewarm and disappointing,
in that several submissions were tedious reminiscences of East Africa, of no
general human interest. So we shelved the project."
How many people did you canvass
for this opinion? What has your failure got to do with Cyprian's books? Could
it be that the presentation was lacking and added little value to the already
rich heritage that is East African? Its colonial past was not the subject of
the book, nor was it intended to be. Africa retains a raw natural beauty and
heritage, regardless of its past colonial masters or present day rulers that
you could not expect a Goan from Goa to ever understand. Added to that, I the
first edition, she paused thoughtfully and said, 'I have had some interesting
experiences in Canada.' 'Well, write about them and tell your friends to do the
same', I said." Are you a self-appointed mentor of the Goan community in
Canada? haven’t heard about you nor your book.. and definitely will not be
seeking to read your works.
Mark Fonseca
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