Pao was, in fact, an unpopular sobriquet the Goans had earned for themselves among the locals because of their obsession with the soft, chewy buns they ate each morning for breakfast, with everything from butter to marinated curries from the night before—kal chi kodi, as they called them.
Jane Borges – Bombay Balchão
Curious about Goan and Mangalorean catholic settlements in Bombay? How did East Indians get their name? Why are Goans and Mangaloreans always at loggerheads? Bombay Balchão by Jane Borges answers all these questions and more, taking us on an intergenerational journey with the residents of Cavel, a tiny catholic neighbourhood in Bombay’s D’Lima Street.
I stumbled upon this book of interconnected short stories on The Book Satchel blog. As half-Goan, half-Mangalorean, I’ve been very curious about my heritage. Bombay Balchão* helped answer some of my questions and what a delight it’s been to learn more about my people. I love that the novel is peppered with Konkani words and the Goan lingo.
Long story short:
- Set in a housing society, this is a great read featuring a motley crew of quirky, endearing and insufferable characters
- The author does a good job of highlighting the often hilarious animosity between Goan and Mangalorean Catholics
- The book also sheds light on the native East Indian catholic community and how it dealt with the influx of other Catholics from neighbouring states
- The stories do a wonderful job of capturing the essence of the community – the drinks, the food, the Sunday morning mass scenes, domestic disputes and other everyday life moments
- The author has expertly weaved the city’s history into the lives of her fictional characters making this a solid book for history buffs
My rating:
5 glorious stars for this epic debut novel ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Balchão is a delicious pickle made with either fish or prawns. I’ve had my fair share of it. It’s a Goan side dish, introduced by the Portuguese during the colonization.
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