Under 140 Characters
Art gallery, literary salon, film club, workshop venue and open-air café – Panjim’s Sunaparanta has it all under one heritage roof.
What Is It?
Sunaparanta – Goa Centre For The Arts. The name is a mouthful but the place is a haven for art lovers, intellectuals and those who like to linger over a cuppa while reading Elena Ferrante’s latest. Or quietly discussing the role of art in modern society. Or simply relishing a meal cooked by an enthusiastic veteran chef.
Also read: Thalassa’s Journey From Greece To Goa
What’s In It?
Sunaparanta is a haven for all Goan art forms and supports emerging as well as established Goan artists. Explore the rooms leading off the verandah, which contain paintings and sculptures by Goan masters. Attend a literary salon or book reading to have informal conversations with renowned writers, actors and playwrights. Sign up for a workshop where local craftsmen will teach you the tricks of their trade. If you can, stay back at the tiny amphitheatre to watch Fiddler on the Roof while the sun sets behind the screen.
Also read: Love Art & Culture? Head To The Annual Dastkari Craft Bazaar
Where Is It?
In a heritage bungalow in Altinho, Panjim’s exclusive, hilly, tree-lined district. The mansion retains its original charm. Painted in a signature white-and-blue palette, the ornate twin staircases sweeping up to the front porch of Sunaparanta creates a sense of grandeur while the sloping roof, lined with Mangalore terracotta tiles, and a central courtyard, open to the sun, provide a rustic ambience. A canvas cloth keeps out the sun and the rain.
What To Eat?
The verandah enclosing the courtyard is lovely. Sit at one of the minimalist wooden chairs and tables scattered around the verandah or in the courtyard itself. Café Bodega is owned and run by an experienced chef whose celebrity clients range from Anna Wintour to the Dalai Lama. The daily specials are your best bet, and do not miss the crepes. Beverages on offer range from fancy kombucha to humble aam panna. Enjoy a lazy lunch while you flip through a tastefully curated shelf of books and magazines. Make sure you chat with the chef, who is passionate about her food and Goa itself.
Also read: Where to Dine in Goa?
Sunaparanta is a gift to those who prefer solitude, enlightened conversation, long afternoons and food for thought. Everyone loves Goa for its beaches; drop in here to love it for its culture.
Deets:
63/C-8, near Army House, Altinho, Panjim – 403001, Goa
LIKE Curly Tales on Facebook | Instagram
You can subscribe to our newsletters