Wild, heady and sunny, are the three words that come to
mind when describing our neighboring state; but it has more to offer than meets
the eye. Goa - where the timeless beauty of its culture is revealed beyond the
postcard-perfect beaches through its rich legacy of art, literature, music and
tantalizing cuisine that is inspiring, intricate and influential.
We explore the state's spirit (literally); rooted deep in
heritage and making a comeback locally and in bars around the world with its
recent addition to cocktails. The panel will explore the revival of Feni,
India's legacy spirit, that takes us on a journey via the book - Love Joy and
Silliness; that eventually leads to love.
The panel discussion will see Managing Director,
Adinco Distilleries Mr Solomon Diniz in conversation with Author
of Love Joy and Silliness, Socialite and Businessman Mr Jamal Mecklai. The
conversation will be moderated by Author and Journalist Nandita Puri.
Get ready for a raw, native, complex and an unmistakably Goan evening!
Mr. Solomon Diniz Adinco Distilleries is a fourth-generation, family-owned distillery, spearheaded by the dedicated Mr. Solomon Diniz. With its roots firmly planted in Goa, Solomon expertly crafts spirits that embody both character and care, all while honoring the rich traditions of distilling. The legacy of Adinco began in the late 1800s when Mr. Martin Diniz, Solomon's great-grandfather, started distilling feni in his home in Quepem. What began as a curious experiment has flourished into a remarkable journey across generations. Formally established in 1970 by Mr. Alleluia Diniz, Adinco Distilleries continues to thrive in the same family home where it all started, reflecting both its heritage and commitment to quality. Growing up immersed in stills and stories, Solomon recognized early the vital importance of patience and precision. Today, under his inspiring leadership, Adinco has evolved into a remarkable company that masterfully blends tradition with innovation. Our expanding portfolio features exciting new spirits like Tickle Gin and Cotombi Reserve Whisky, alongside the cherished classic, Tinto Heritage Feni. As Adinco Distilleries moves forward, Solomon stands as a beacon of guidance—rooted in tradition, embracing evolution, and continuously inspired by the vibrant spirit of Goa.
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Jamal Mecklai wears bright clothes and loves to dance. He also runs Mecklai Financial, the leading FX risk consultancy in India and has been writing for several financial publications over the past 30 years. LOVE JOY AND SILLINESS is his first novel.
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Nandita Puri A former student of English literature, Nandita started out as a journalist with some of the leading publications in the country including The Statesman, The Telegraph and the TOI group. She wrote a popular weekly column on films for nearly a decade with Midday and Dainik Bhaskar.Apart from working as a broadcaster for AIR and Mark Tully's Radio Network, she has been on the script committees of NFDC and CFSI as well as a Ted x speaker. She also writes for television and films.Her collection of short stories Nine on Nine was published in 2005 followed by the highly successful biography, Unlikely Hero: Om Puri and her current international best seller Jennifer on child trafficking and inter country adoption. This is soon to be adapted into a film. In 2017 she launched the Om Puri Foundation at the 70th Cannes Film Festival in memory of her husband to carry forward his legacy and philosophy. Currently she chairs the Om Puri Foundation.
Read moreThere is something about Goa that always feels a little larger than life. It is wild, heady and sunlit, a place where the rhythm of the tides matches the rhythm of its people. But beyond its postcard-perfect beaches lies a deeper and more textured story. Goa’s identity is steeped in a complex blend of cultures, a legacy shaped by centuries of trade, migration and music. Its cuisine, art, and literature carry traces of this unique heritage, reflecting a spirit that is both rooted and restless. And at the heart of that spirit is Feni, the state’s signature drink, distilled from either cashew apples or coconut sap, carrying the aroma of orchards and the warmth of tradition.
Feni goes far beyond being a drink; it carries the weight of history, the work of its makers, and the pride of the land it comes from. For generations, it has been made in small village stills, its production passed down through family lines. In recent years, Feni has begun to make a comeback, finding its way into cocktail bars around the world and onto the menus of mixologists seeking authenticity and depth. This revival has sparked a new conversation about craft, sustainability and the preservation of indigenous traditions. To drink Feni is to taste Goa itself and its salt air, its generous earth, and its quietly defiant sense of self.
It is in this lively, flavourful world that the book Love, Joy and Silliness by Jamal Mecklai finds its footing. The book, both humorous and reflective, plays with the eccentricities of life and the delicious unpredictability of human relationships. It celebrates the sheer absurdity and beauty of love through the lens of its whimsical protagonist, Shri Vindaloo, whose journey becomes both a satire and a celebration of life’s flavours. Much like Feni, the book’s tone is spirited, layered and unmistakably Goan, blending wit with warmth, and introspection with laughter.
As conversations around the book unfold, so too do the stories of a state and a people who continue to find joy in contradiction. Goa, after all, is a place where old meets new every single day. Its charm lies in this coexistence of the sacred and the silly, the nostalgic and the modern, the quiet and the exuberant. Finding Feni becomes a way of reconnecting with the very spirit of celebration. It reminds us that culture, like Feni, is best enjoyed when shared slowly, thoughtfully, and always with a touch of joy.
