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Goa
132 pages, Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1982
About the author
Asif Currimbhoy
40 books4 followersFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Asif Currimbhoy (1928, Mumbai - 1994)[1] is an Indian playwright who wrote in English. He was among the very few Indian dramatists writing plays exclusively in English. He wrote and/or produced over thirty plays in several genres. His work incorporated monologues, choruses, chants, songs, mime, slide projections, and filmed footage.
Born as a Khoja Muslim, His father was an industrialist and his mother was a social worker. He became acquainted with English at a young age, while studying at St. Xavier's College. This enabled him to attain mastery over the language. He pursued his higher education in the United States at the University of Wisconsin where he developed a love for Shakespearean drama which continued to have a profound influence on his work. After returning to India, he initially worked for the Burmah-Shell oil company, but gave up that position to pursue playwrighting full time as he became successful.
His first play Goa, written in 1964, deals with racial discrimination as a paradigm of postcolonialism. Other major plays include The Doldrummers (1960), The Dumb Dancer (1961), and The Hungry Ones (1965). His plays also enjoyed success in the United States. The Dumb Dancer was staged Off-Off-Broadway at Café La MaMa in 1966 and Goa received a full Broadway production in 1968.
Asif Currimbhoy (1928, Mumbai - 1994)[1] is an Indian playwright who wrote in English. He was among the very few Indian dramatists writing plays exclusively in English. He wrote and/or produced over thirty plays in several genres. His work incorporated monologues, choruses, chants, songs, mime, slide projections, and filmed footage.
Born as a Khoja Muslim, His father was an industrialist and his mother was a social worker. He became acquainted with English at a young age, while studying at St. Xavier's College. This enabled him to attain mastery over the language. He pursued his higher education in the United States at the University of Wisconsin where he developed a love for Shakespearean drama which continued to have a profound influence on his work. After returning to India, he initially worked for the Burmah-Shell oil company, but gave up that position to pursue playwrighting full time as he became successful.
His first play Goa, written in 1964, deals with racial discrimination as a paradigm of postcolonialism. Other major plays include The Doldrummers (1960), The Dumb Dancer (1961), and The Hungry Ones (1965). His plays also enjoyed success in the United States. The Dumb Dancer was staged Off-Off-Broadway at Café La MaMa in 1966 and Goa received a full Broadway production in 1968.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 13, 2026
2.5/5 ⭐
Currimbhoy has tried to make an allegorical point. He has created these characters and drawn parallels between them and Goa as in 1961, he almost succeeds until he dramatizes everything into a mush of confusion.
As the climax nears, the symbolism runs dry and the characters merge into each other's madness rather than converging to a central point.
I'm more confused than disappointed and not because of the storyline or meaning, but because the beginning and the premise genuinely held potential.
Currimbhoy has tried to make an allegorical point. He has created these characters and drawn parallels between them and Goa as in 1961, he almost succeeds until he dramatizes everything into a mush of confusion.
As the climax nears, the symbolism runs dry and the characters merge into each other's madness rather than converging to a central point.
I'm more confused than disappointed and not because of the storyline or meaning, but because the beginning and the premise genuinely held potential.
April 29, 2021
Gave it a 3 bc I’m so confused. I liked it, it dealt with SO many themes and postcolonialism but I’m so confused..
September 11, 2026
Uncomfortable, it lacked something, idk what. Reminded me of Harold Pinter with respect to the intimate scenes interpreted as act of dominance, territorial?!
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May 8, 2016fine
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews