| The major part of ‘Trikaal’ is set in Portuguese Goa just before its liberation by the Indian army in 1961. The story begins in the present with Ruiz Pereira returning to Goa for his first visit after 24 yrs. Pereira decides to visit the Souza-Soares family a prominent Brahmin Catholic family with whom he had spent some time in 1961 during the Indian blockade of the colony. At the now deserted mansion Pereira’ mind goes back to his earlier visit. His reverie conjures up an image of Maria Souza-Soares the old lady of the house listening to Portuguese fades on a gramophone, while her husband lies dead in the bedroom. The family has gathered to mourn. Maria’s only daughter Sylvia and her son in law Lucio Sylvia’s grown up daughters Anna and Aurora and her two young sons and Milagrenia the dead man’s illegitimate child who is now a maid to Maria. As the story continues Goa is liberated by India. The Renate family leaves for Portugal just before the army comes in and Sylvia’s family leaves shattered by Maria’s behavior. Ruiz Pereira is forced by his own uncle to move to Bombay. And Maria finally reconciled to the intimations of her own mortality is left alone in the vast mansion with Milegrania. Pereira’s reverie ends as he steps out of the dilapidated mansion and then wonders what drew him here. |
|
