This is a list of notable people from Goa, India. This list includes Goans and persons of Goan origin. The names are arranged in alphabetical order in their respective categories.
Architects Bruno Dias Souza (1925–2025), Indian architect who was part of a group of architects who aimed to redefine the essence of modern architecture within the context of India. Charles Correa (1930–2015), Indian architect and urban planner, recognized for his contributions to modern architecture in post-Independent India.An Architecture of Independence: The Making of Modern South Asia University of Pennsylvania. Gerard da Cunha, Goan origin, founder and principal architect of the architecture firm Architecture Autonomous. An alumnus of the School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi, he is known for utilizing locally available materials and traditional construction techniques in harmony with its ecosystem Sarto Almeida
Artists Angelo da Fonseca, noted for presenting Christian themes in an Indian style Antonio Piedade da Cruz, twentieth-century painter and sculptor António Xavier Trindade, important painter of the Bombay School in the early 20th century Carl d'Silva, Indian wildlife artist and naturalist well known for his paintings of birds in many ornithological handbooks and field guides. Dinanath Dalal Francis Newton Souza (1924–2002), artist Frederika Menezes, Goan author, poet and artist. She is best known for her book, Unforgotten (which was a love story for young adults, published in 2014). A poem of hers, The Different Normals, is yet to feature in English textbook of the Goa Board of Secondary & Higher Secondary Education (GBSHSE) Lancelot Ribeiro, Goan origin Modern artist Laxman Pai, Indian artist and painter. He was a principal of the Goa College of Art, a post he held from 1977 to 1987. Pai was a recipient of several awards, including India's third highest civilian honour of Padma Bhushan, awarded by the Government of India. Mario Miranda (1926–2011), famous for his cartoons in The Illustrated Weekly of India; Padma Vibushan awardee Prafulla Dahanukar, Indian painter, a leader in modern Indian art who also helped and influenced many young artists in India. Subodh Kerkar, Indian painter, sculptor and installation artist, and founder of the private art gallery Museum of Goa. He is known for his artworks and installations Sushila Yawalkar, painter, sculptor and dancer Vamona Navelcar, painter Vasudeo S. Gaitonde (1924–2001), regarded as India's foremost abstract artist; received Padma Shri Award in 1971; born in Nagpur of Goan parents
Bankers Aisha de Sequeira, Indian banker and co-head of Morgan Stanley Victor Menezes, Goan origin Senior Operating Advisor for New Silk Route
Businesspersons and Entrepreneurs Francisco D'Souza, American businessman of Goan origin Gracias Saldanha, Goan origin founder of Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ivan Menezes, Goan origin, CEO of Diageo Manuel Menezes, business executive and former chairman of the Indian Railway Board Roger Faria, merchant Tony Fernandes, Malaysian founder of Tune Air, owner of budget airline Air Asia. Father originally from Goa. Vasudev Salgaocar, Indian businessman, and the founder and chairman of the V. M. Salgaocar Group of Companies, active mainly in iron ore mining, but also in coal mining and wind energy
Chief Secretary Dr. JC Almeida, IAS officer, former Chief Secretary of Goa, and the first Chairman of the Goa Public Service Commission
Industrialists Ramnath Kare Vasantrao S. Dempo Vishwasrao Chowgule
Engineers Peter de Noronha, Goan origin, businessman and civil servant of Kanpur, India. He was knighted by Pope Paul VI in 1965 for his work for the Christian community in India.
Esport players Jonathan Gaming, Indian professional esports player
People in Film and Television
Varsha Usgaonkar, Indian film and television actress. Rajendra Talak, Indian film director and producer known for Konkani films such as Aleesha and O Maria. Waluscha De Sousa, Indian actress and model. She made her debut in the 2016 Hindi film Fan. Rameez Shaikh, Goan filmmaker and director known for the short film The Awakening and the awareness advertisement Imagine If It Was You. Keith Sequeira, Indian actor and former model. Laxmikant Shetgaonkar, Indian film director and screenwriter known for Paltadacho Munis and Baga Beach. Ileana D'Cruz, Portuguese actress. Prachi Shirodkar, Goan filmmaker and director known for the documentary Bhaangar Kalakusar Karigiri. Miransha Naik, Indian film director, producer and screenwriter known for the Konkani film Juze. Mario Pimenta, Goan filmmaker and director known for the environmental short film Act To Achieve and he has also created Goa's First AI film Job Needed. Saisma Naik, Goan filmmaker and director associated with contemporary independent cinema. Christ Silva, Indian filmmaker known for Konkani films including Connection and Crazy Mogi. Tapan Acharya, Indian actor, filmmaker, writer, producer and director. Frank Fernand, Indian filmmaker and musician known for Amchem Noxib and Nirmon. Sharvi Dhond, Goan filmmaker, writer and director associated with independent filmmaking in Goa. Al Jerry Braganza, Indian filmmaker, actor and singer who directed and produced Mogacho Aunddo. Sharon Mazarello, Indian actress, singer, playwright, director and filmmaker associated with Konkani cinema and tiatr. C. Alvares, Indian Konkani actor, singer, playwright and director who was also involved in Konkani cinema. Rajdeep Naik, Indian actor, theatre director and producer associated with Konkani films and theatre.
Governors Anthony Lancelot Dias, Goan origin, 8th Governor of West Bengal Bernardo Peres da Silva, of Neurá; appointed Prefect of Estado da Índia Portuguesa in 1835, the only Goan to hold a post equivalent to a Governor-General Rajendra Arlekar, 30th Governor of Bihar and 21st Governor of Himachal Pradesh Sunith Francis Rodrigues, 26th Governor of Punjab
Historians, Indologists and Archeologists José Pereira, Sanskrit scholar, historian, writer, artist, and linguist from Goa, India Damodar Dharmananda Kosambi (1907–1966), historian and mathematician José Gerson da Cunha (1844–1900), historian and Orientalist; wrote the first book on history of Bombay, The Origin of Bombay (1900), published by the Bombay branch of the Royal Asiatic Society Dharmananda Damodar Kosambi (1876–1947), scholar of Buddhist religion and Pali language Percival Noronha, Indian historian and bureaucrat Prakashchandra Pandurang Shirodkar, Indian archaeologist and writer Rui Gomes Pereira
Lawyers and Judges Anuja Prabhudessai, Judge at Bombay High Court Eurico da Silva (1933–2025), former Judge at Bombay High Court Ferdino Rebello, former Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court Fitz de Souza, Goan origin, barrister-at-law and PhD from London; important figure in African politics; participated in Kenya's struggle for freedom Kashinath Trimbak Telang, former Judge at Bombay High Court. Libia Lobo Sardesai, lawyer and freedom fighter, winner of the Padma Shri in 2025
Military General Sunith Francis Rodrigues, former Chief of the Army Staff and former Governor of Punjab Air Chief Marshal Hrushikesh Moolgavkar, Goan-origin Chief of the Air Staff from 1 February 1976 to 31 August 1978 Lieutenant General WAG Pinto, Senior General officer in the Indian Army and the Victor of Basantar Lieutenant General Francis Dias, Senior General officer in the Indian Army who was awarded a Vir Chakra Vice Admiral John Colin De Silva, former Vice Chief of the Naval Staff and Director General of the Indian Coast Guard Air Vice Marshal Erlic Pinto, Goan origin Air officer in the Indian Air Force Filipe Nery Xavier, Portuguese military commander Manuel António de Sousa, military captain Otelo Saraiva de Carvalho, Goan origin Portuguese military officer Kuxttoba, rebel leader from the Rane clan of Sattari André Pereira dos Reis, commander who lost Muscat in 1680
Models and Pageants Anjali Mendes, Goan origin model Candice Pinto, Goan origin model and pageant Gail Nicole Da Silva, Indian model and beauty pageant title holder of Femina Miss India United Continent 2014 Joanne Da Cunha, Indian actress, singer and model Radha Bartake, Indian actress and model Reita Faria, Goan origin former Miss World Waluscha De Sousa, Indian actress and model. She made her debut in the 2016 Hindi film Fan.
Musicians and Singers
Anjanibai Malpekar (1883–1974), Hindustani classical singer of Bhendibazaar gharana, Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (1958). António Fortunato de Figueiredo (1903–1981), conductor, violinist; founder-director of the Academia de Música (now Dept of Western Classical Music, Kala Academy); founder-director of the Orquestra Sinfónica de Goa (Goa Symphony Orchestra). Anthony Gonsalves (1927–2012), violinist; taught R.D. Burman and Pyarelal Ramprasad Sharma (a member of the Laxmikant Pyarelal team) and worked with most of the legendary composers of the 1950s and 1960s Chic Chocolate, trumpeter and music composer. Chris Perry, the king of Goan music. Colin D'Cruz, jazz producer and bassplayer; runs Jazz Goa Datta Naik, Hindi film music director Dinanath Mangeshkar, dramatist and classical vocalist Esther Eden, pop singer Frank Fernand, violinist, trumpeter and music conductor Hema Sardesai, playback singer Ian D'Sa, UK-born, of Goan descent; guitarist of Canadian rock band Billy Talent. Jitendra Abhisheki, Indian musician Kesarbai Kerkar (1892–1977) Khaprumama Parvatkar (1879–1953), ghumot and tabla player Kishori Amonkar, classical vocalist Leoncie, singer Lorna Cordeiro, Konkani language singer Lourdino Barreto, music conductor and composer Mogubai Kurdikar, classical vocalist Mark Revlon, singer, drummer, and bandleader of The Mark Revlon Band. Prabhakar Karekar, Hindustani classical singer Prasad Sawkar, singer Ramdas Kamat, Sangeet Natak musician Remo Fernandes, musician and Bollywood playback singer Sebastian D'Souza, music arranger and conductor Sonia Sirsat, Fado singer Suresh Haldonkar, classical vocalist, actor Tsumyoki, Indian rapper, singer, record producer and musician Tulsidas Borkar, harmonium player and music composer Ajit Kadkade, Devotional singer Manoharbua Shirgaonkar, known as "Bhajan Samrat", bhajan singer
Olympians
Representing India Peter Paul Fernandes was part of India's Gold Medal-winning Men's Field Hockey Team at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Walter D'Souza, Lawrie Fernandes, Maxie Vaz, Leo Pinto and Reginald Rodrigues were part of the Gold Medal-winning Men's Field Hockey Team at the 1948 London Olympics. Mary D'Souza Sequeira became the First Indian Woman to Qualify for an Olympics at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics competing in the women's 100 and 200 metres race. Lavy Pinto reached the semi-final of the men's 100 meters Race at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, the best ever performance by an Indian till date. Neville D'Souza from Assagao scored a Hattrick in the quarter-finals against Australia as the Men's Football Team stood Fourth in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. Fortunato Franco From Colvale was part of the Indian Men's Football team at the 1960 Rome Olympics. Anthony Francis Coutinho competes in the men's 4 × 100 metres relay, reaching the semi-final at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics Stephie D'Souza competes in the Women's 400 meters Race of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Edward Sequeira from Arpora competes the Men's 5000 meters Race in the 1972 Munich Olympics Dr Vece Paes was Part of the Men's Hockey Bronze Medal-winning team though He did not play a Match at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Mervyn Fernandes was part of the Men's Hockey Team which won the gold medal at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. He also was part of the Team at the 1984 Los Angeles and 1988 Seoul Olympics. Margaret Toscano, Selma D'Silva, Lorraine Fernandes and Eliza Nelson were Part of the Women's's Field Hockey Team which stood Fourth at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.