Shopping
Goa
has a shopping experience of its own. From wines to cashew nuts,
enchanting local music to alternative books and handicrafts. Goa has
it all.
Local handicrafts are reasonably priced and there’s carved
furniture, brassware, crochet and more.
Other attractive items include woodcarvings, bronze figures,
carpets, branded clothes (Levi’s, Nike, Lacoste, Benetton have
outlets here), jewellery (both folk-art and traditional Goan),
leather items (see examples coming from near Goa, at
www.toeholdindia.com), papier-mache craft, saris, silks, musical
instruments and even textiles. Antiques over a century old are not
allowed to be taken out of India without permission.
The Saturday night markets of North Goa are also interesting places
to explore some unique objects. Held at Arpora and along the road to
Baga, these happen in the non-monsoon months during the tourist
season.
Local boutiques are growing in number, located around the main towns
and some in coastal areas and there are plenty of upmarket men’s
hairdressing salons.
18TH
JUNE ROAD, PANJIM
In
Panjim, the main thoroughfare 18th June Road is fast
emerging as the main shopping centre. From cashew nuts to well
packed Goan sweets, local curries that you can take home, spices and
some restaurants that offer good fish-based meals, this place is a
shopper’s delight.
HANDICRAFTS
Aparant
Local
handicrafts of Goa are popular souvenir items and include brassware,
terracotta, shell work, crochet, carved furniture, bamboo work,
papier-mache, lacquerware and azulejos tiles. These are available in
the Government Emporia and also at shops and stalls near the popular
tourist spots.
The state government’s outlet Aparant does good business and offers
a wide choice. However, it is not very close to the tourist belt.
Aparant has a number of outlets managed by the state-run Goa
Handicrafts. Ten outlets across Goa offer an interesting range and
reasonably priced items. There are items made of shell, clay, bamboo
and papier-mache.
HAND-PAINTED
CERAMICS AND AZULEJOS
Azulejos are a typical form of Portuguese or Spanish painted,
tin-glazed, ceramic tilework. This art was introduced in Portugal,
via Spain, by the Moors (Muslims), who had learned the craft from
the Persians. Take a look at the artistic name-plates for the
entrance to homes that are being created from azulejo. Products
range from modest coasters at Rs 25 to murals priced at Rs 1500(12 *
18 inches).
Velha Goa
This
outlet stocks traditional hand-painted azulejos (tiles) and a range
of souvenirs. It is located close to the Panjim Inn. While items may
be pricey, the quality is both good and innovative.
De Goa Ceramics
Known
for its hand-painted tiles.
Orlando de
Noronha’s Azulejos Tiles
This
is another place where you can pick up beautiful azulejos.
NIGHT MARKETS
While
there has been some controversy over where these night markets
should be located, they attract many tourists in Goa. These unique
markets offer a great mix of works by Indian artisans and foreigners
and you also get to try out global food and listen to Goan music.
Ingo’s Saturday
Nite Bazar
An
artisan and ‘hippie market cum beer garden’ with international food
stalls, it has been labelled ‘the mother of all Indian nite
markets’.
Mackies Saturday
Nite Bazaar
This
bazaar is conducted along the Baga creek and salt-pans and offers
music, traditional crafts, souvenirs for foreign tourists and varied
food options.
There’s also the weekly Wednesday afternoon flea market at Anjuna,
once dominated by hippies in the sixties and seventies, and a host
of local traditional markets (Mapusa on Fridays, Pernem on Thursday,
Siolim on Wednesday, Bicholim on Wednesday and Calangute on
Saturday).
FRIDAY MARKET,
MAPUSA
The
North Goa town of Mapusa hosts a charming traditional market each
Wednesday which attracts many tourists, specially foreigners.
MUSIC & MUSICAL
INSTRUMENTS
Vibes
This
is the biggest music store in Goa.
Pedro Fernandes
This
is a charming old music shop in the heart of the old town.
BX Furtado
This
is a more upmarket and modern store with a wide range of
instruments.
BOOKSHOPS
The Other India Bookstore
This
is probably the best place for books on ‘alternative India’ and the
environment. Also available here are a large variety of Goa-related
books.
Above old Mapusa Clinic (entrance from behind), Feira Alta, Mapusa
Bookfair
Located in Hotel Mandovi, it stocks interesting reading material,
specially books related to Goa.
Literati Bookshop
and Café
Based
in an old villa in Candolim, it also has a section of second-hand
books. Apart from the books, it also hosts occasional programmes
featuring prominent writers.
Confidant’s
Golden Heart Emporium
This
is a large bookshop in South Goa with an extensive collection of
books.
Oxford Bookstore
The
well-known Kolkatta-based Oxford Bookstore has its Goa branch on the
main Calangute road.
Rama Books
This
bookstore at Calangute allows you to trade old books and buy other
European and Japanese titles.
DESIGNER CLOTHES
Wendell Rodricks
Arguably Goa’s most famous fashion designer, Rodricks is also among
one of India’s top designers.
Sosa’s
This
is one of Goa’s popular designer stores. Overlooking the Rua de
Ourem creek, the store offers jute handbags with ethnic designs and
limited-edition ensembles from some of the prominent Indian
designers.
Sangolda
Run by
Claudia and Hari Ajwani, who also run the upmarket hotel Nilaya,
Sangolda sells Ladakhi pashminas, Rajasthani cushion covers, and
rosewood cupboards from Gujarat, all at a fancy price.
Camelot
This
boutique showcases home accessories like silk and linen bedspreads,
antique portraits on glass and clothes by Indian designers.
Janota
Meaning ‘style’ in Portuguese, Janota is the creation of Angela and
Edwin Pinto. While Edwin creates unusual designer footwear, Angela
designs everything from lampshades to hats and bags.
Casa Goa
This
is run by Cezar Pinto in a blue-and-white house in the beach village
of Calangute. Items here include rosewood chests, porcelain dishes
and painted tiles.
Malini Ramani’s
Malini
Ramani was the first Indian designer to open her own store in Goa.
She designs resort wear with a hippy edge. Her collections include
handbags, sandals, sarees and bridal wear.
PAINTINGS
Kerkar Art Complex
Subodh
Kerkar, a prominent sculptor and painter, was one of the earliest to
launch his own gallery in Calangute.
Harshada Art
Gallery
Harshada Kerkar is known for her artistic portraits.
