Documented tales of Goan survivors in Burma to be released today
It was in December 1941, during World War II that Japanese forces invaded the land of Burma (present day Myanmar) shattering the peace of the beautiful country. To escape the bombing, the Indian community was forced to flee the land and cross the Indo-Burma border, mostly by foot and encountering numerous hardships on the way. But what many don't know is that among these, were many Goans as well, who had previously migrated and settled in Burma for better economic opportunities.
In an attempt to document these stories of survival, Saligao-based author Yvonne Vaz Ezdani compiled tales of some of the survivors of this trial in her 2007 book - 'Songs of Survivors.' Her latest book 'New Songs of Survivors' which will be released on December 13, at the Goa Arts and Literary Festival, is a different take on of the earlier edition.
“I have changed many things in this book. The earlier book was a collection of separate stories from survivors in Goa but this time around I have combined the tales into one narrative, added new perspectives and also added tales of non-Goans,” states Ezdani. Noted author Amithav Ghosh has given the foreword for the book while author Jerry Pinto has helped with the editing. The book has been published by Speaking Tiger.
A Burmese-born herself, Ezdani was moved to pen down these tales after listening to the stories some of the survivors told her and also recollecting some which her parents had narrated to her as a little girl.
“These tales stuck in my mind and disturbed me. For me they were not just stories. The whole thing was just senseless and no one profited from this war with so many Japanese soldiers too losing their lives because of it. All it did was leave destruction and suffering behind,” says Ezdani. “But listening to these stories I also discovered that human beings have a hidden reserve of strength and resilience which comes out during times of hardship.”
But although, this exodus occupies an important part in Goan history, Ezdani admits that people who have read the book have been surprised to learn about something they knew nothing about previously. “I think these stories should be made available in all school and college libraries so that students are able to read about them,” she feels.
Speaking about her own Burmese roots, Ezdani reveals that she lived with her large family in the Shan States. “ It was a beautiful country where there was an abundance of everything right from food to even kindness,” she recollects. “ In fact even recently Myanmar has been voted as the most generous country which shocked me because the economy is down and the people are so poor now.”
The Goan spirit, she said was very much alive, thanks to her extended family. “ My grandparents used to speak in Konkani and when my uncles married Goan girls we learnt many Konkani songs too. Also Christmas was all about Goan sweets and food,” she remembers. “The Goans and the Burmese community shared very cordial relations and Rangoon in particular had a large Goan community. There was also a Goan club called the Portuguese Club and people who had lived there during that time still talk about the dances and parties that they held there.”
However, the takeover of the country by the military government turned things sour. “ Almost overnight things changed and the military government began to control everything. They ruled through fear which they used as a psychological weapon,” she says, adding this was the reason she, her husband and two daughters decided to come down to Goa in 1982.
However, Ezdani would like to go back and visit the country which was once her home. “ I am planning to take a trip as soon as my daughters are able to come with me, but even if they can't make it I may make the trip next year,” she says.
