Agriculture in Curtorim: Through the lens of caste

Abstract

In this article, I examine a collection of short stories, drama and, a form of digital media - three different modes of knowledge production and distribution-to look at the ways in which agrarian relationships and the role of caste in structuring the agrarian relationships have been portrayed in these three media. The article critically analyzes how agriculture in the village of Curtorim is portrayed in Saxtticho Koddo -Granary of Salcete, a documentary on agriculture in Curtorim by Vince Costa, and tries to bring in the missing voices by using the text Moncao by Vimala Devi and Tiatrs (Konkani Dramas) Kunnbi Jaki, and Batcara I-II by Joao Agostinho Fernandes. Aum jano, mogal Vachpea, tuca mujo 'Batcara' boro mandchak na mun ani khoroch na zori thor tum zati potant dorun vachit zalear; pun upcaran aum magtam tuje codde zati pois corun vach mun, ani maguir sang maca tujo ani mujo opiniao ekuch num zalear team Goencha Batcaram voir. Joao Agostinho Fernandes (1909) "Dear readers, I know that you all won't like my 'Batcara' and you really won't if you read it keeping your castes in mind, but I request you all to read it keeping aside your caste identities and then tell me if your opinion about the bhatcars (landlords) of Goa isn't the same as mine" (my translation).