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Goan Surprise

Goan Surprise
Beautiful beaches, shacks, sun, sand, food and Fenny constitute Goa-one of the most favourite holiday destinations of India.
Ever since Abhas, my husband has got a professional assignment in Goa, we come here every month for a week. What I get here is a productive solitude.  
A ten minutes’ walk from where we stay in Punji leads to the Mondovi River. My daily outing before Abhas comes back from work is to see the winter Sun setting in the Mondovi.
Last evening while going down the crowded lane, I heard a faint music coming from some different direction. Instinctively, I followed the sound of music. As I was approaching closer, I could make out that it was a classical rendition of an ‘Abhang’ with live tabla and harmonium.   
When I reached there, I found that a few middle-aged men appeared to be the local residents were sitting on the open patio of a small Sai Baba temple near the gigantic Panji Church. They were completely engrossed in their music.
I found a place to sit next to them. They noticed my presence after a while and gave a welcoming smile.  
Two hours passed quickly in the musical bliss. At sharp 7:30 pm they finished and started packing their instruments.
I extended my compliments to them and in an impulse; I offered to get tea for them from the nearby refreshment joint. One gentleman replied instantly, “In fact, some of us have come straight from work and now rushing home as we are hungry.” I requested them to wait till I get something to eat.
I bought some hot ‘samosas’ for them. They seemed to be pleasantly surprised by my unexpected gesture. In a brief conversation, they told me that every Thursday they all meet and sing. This gives them an opportunity to be together and also motivate each other to do ‘riyaz’. One gentleman said with a twinkle in his eyes that their ‘puja’ and ‘pet puja’ both got over.
I returned from there with an altered perspective about Goa, Goans and purpose of going to the temple.

Jay ho…


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