Heartbeatgoa.memories -Death in the family - Antonio Menezes

When a member of a family expires (in konkani toh bhair podlo or tohpiddear zalo ) itis undoubtedly a very sad occasion not only for the other family membersand for theneighbourhood as well.Amid general sadness there is a touch of humour. I believe our tiatristsdraw a lot ofinspiration from it. In poor families when a husband dies. his wife takes to''verse galta''.when surrounded by other women from neighbourhood. The widow simply poursout allher emotions in a sing song session often in rhyme.A lot of secrets comeout much tothe astonishment of other women present. But the best I have ever heard wasone from awidow from somewhat elite background who wailed over the dead body of herhusbandhusband thus : ''Now that you are gone, Tony Joe darling who will openwhisky bottles ? ''