Lyrism and conservatism in the political arena: the short story “Shiva playing...” by the goan writter Maria Elsa da Rocha

Abstract

This article is a brief interpretation of the short story “Shivá, brincando...” (1963), by the Goan writer Elsa Maria da Rocha (1923-2005). In light of the historical context of its publication- the moment following the end of Portuguese colonial rule and the integration of Goa into the Republic of India – we analyze how Rocha’s short narrative tackles the emergence in the territory of movements demanding a fairer division of the land. With its subjective approach, the story calls into question the real motives underlying such demands and defends the traditional social order of Goa.