Grinding stories of women who sang through it all

Falah Faisal | NT
Bengaluru

Goa is a state of 1.6 lakh people, supporting a tourist population of 6.6 lakhs. It’s known the world over for its party scene. But there is more to Goa than just that. Through Heta Pandit’s book, ‘Grinding Stories Retold: Songs of Goa’ the author gives us a glimpse of the other side of Goa we don’t usually see; especially of the locals and the people who grew up there.

She has translated folk songs which women usually sing at the grinding stone; she explains, “How did a young bride in Goa express her innermost feelings and how she sang stories of love, lamentation, loneliness, and isolation in her new home. Unable to confide in anyone in her husband’s home, this young bride had only one confidant—the grinding stone. Filling the grinding stone cavity with words and emotions, the young wife did what she did best: grind and express her feelings in verse and songs.”

Heta talked about four women in the North of Goa, all between the age of 80 and 90, who are the only remaining folk singers of the region. “I realised that if their tales and songs are not documented, they will die with them. So, I went and conducted my research,” she said.

The author will be presenting her book and stories about compiling them for her book at Champaca Book Store in the city. The author meet-up is the first in the series of their subscription theme for ‘Loneliness & Connection.’

The book is a unique and beautiful collection of songs, originally sung by women in Marathi and Konkani while working at the grinding stone as part of their household chores.

Where: Champaca Book Store, Queen’s Road
When: June 18, 4 pm
Entry: Free