18th century home to grace R-Day show

"Houses of Goa" depicting Goan architecture and syncretic culture will be showcased at the Republic Day parade.

A three-dimensional float of a traditional 18th Century Goan home, complete with a verandah, a "sopo" and other classic features, will adorn the coastal state's tableau during the upcoming Republic Day parade.

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The state, which has won accolades during the annual cultural pageantry in the past, has approved the model, to be called "Houses of Goa", a government release said in Panaji.

"The model was sanctioned by the committee of Department of Information and Publicity. It highlights Goa's traditional houses with their unique architecture," officials stated.

The tableau depicts a house with "sopo" or "bulcao", a concrete seat in the central axis of their facades, reception rooms and with the dining and service area delineated towards the rear, he said.

It depicts Goan architecture and reflects Goa's truly syncretic culture, the release said.

"Although Goa was under Portuguese rule for close to 450 years, the houses that we see today were built between the mid-18th century and early 20th century, when Portuguese power declined and Goans began coming into their own," they noted.