Goa, Sept. 14 -- SHASHWAT GUPTA RAY

Despite being a devout Catholic, journalist, Konkani poet, lyricist, and writer John Aguiar has been breaking cultural barriers by writing and composing highly popular Konkani Ga nesh hymns. His work is fre quently praised by cultural institutions for promoting interfaith harmony. Speaking about what drew him toward this cross-cultural endeavour, Aguiar said that his connection with Hindu traditions did not begin suddenly. "My moth er was from a Gaud Saraswat Brahmin family, so I was ex posed to Hindu culture and traditions from an early age.

Later, my wife, Savita, is Hindu, and our family has continued to maintain a deep respect for and par ticipation in Hindu tradi tions. We have been cele brating ...