Exhibits in the Museum of Goa

One of the most impressive pieces in the Museum of Goa is a 22-foot-tall model of Narakasur. In Goa, the making of Narakasur marks the coming of Divali. Groups of friends, families, and neighbours get together to build their versions. On the night before Divali, these towering figures take over the streets, their makers dancing and celebrating before setting them on fire. When the flames die out, Divali begins. Light wins over darkness, and a new cycle of hope dawns.

For many Goan children, making a Narakasur is their first encounter with art. It is where they learn to sculpt, paint, and collaborate.

Over time, Narakasur figures have evolved. Some now feature mechanical movements, pyrotechnics, and new creative forms. In North Goa, they often appear muscular, fierce, and monster-like, while in the south, they take on more human-looking, round-bellied forms. The Narakasur in the museum is a collaborative piece that brings these two perceptions together - combining the stance of the north with the body of the south.

One of my favourite pieces in the museum is the Crochet Christmas Tree, an initiative by The Crochet Collective, Goa. Christmas and crochet arrived in Goa together, brought by the Portuguese. Over time, both have become part of Goan life. Christmas is a time for people to come together. In contrast, crochet has long been a solitary craft, done mainly by women working alone in silence and reflection. This project has brought 25 women together to plan, create, and support each other. Conversations began over colour and stitches, and slowly, a community formed. They shared stories, ideas, and laughter while creating something larger than any one of them could make alone.

C S Kerkar (1924 - 2006), father of the founder of the Museum of Goa, was a renowned Goan artist, too. The majority of his works depict fishing and fish markets, which form a major part of Goa's cultural ethos. He once said that the state of Goa without fish is like the state of fish without water.

The piece Pao by Pradeep Naik represents how important bread is to Goan life. Traditionally, Indians ate chapattis, flatbreads made with freshly kneaded yeastless dough. The Portuguese introduced the idea of bread made with yeast. Today, poders, bread sellers on bicycles, deliver freshly baked bread to every household in Goa twice a day. They announce their arrival with a distinctive horn sound. I'm getting used to that noise being what wakes me up each morning 😊.Leggi altro