ASIF CURRIMBHOY'S GOA AND THE STRUGGLE FOR GOAN IDENTITY

Asif Currimbhoy's Goa has become a sort of landmark in the history of English writing in India because of a number of factors. While Currimbhoy's genius and craftsmanship in writing the play cannot be questioned, the play has immortalized the struggle for the soul of Goa between the Portuguese rulers and the Indian inhabitants. Currimbhoy is almost impartial and free of prejudice as he shows the plight of the ‘innocent' Goa being ‘raped' for personal gains by both the Portuguese and the Indians. After 400 years of Portugal domination Indian finally challenged it and managed to free the Goan territory – however the process was not painless and was almost a ‘rape' that mangled the innocent flower of Goa. Currimbhoy makes powerful use of imagery and allegory to tell his story while retaining the spirit of an intriguing and interesting play. The play keeps the audience at the edge of their seats and does not deteriorate into preaching or moralizing.