COCONUT BRUSH ART GALLERY

GREEN PALETTE

WITH all tourism activity picking up momentum in the Candolim-Calangute resort belt, Art Chamber too took off with the season’s debut with an exhibition of beautiful paintings by young Goan artists, at 7.30 PM on October 15. Called "Green Palette", the exhibition put on view by the group of ten, will last till November 10.

Congratulating the participating artists, Rudolph Kammermier, director of the gallery, said that the Art Chamber would always endeavour to encourage Goan art, particularly, by introducing it to the European tourists. Rudolph along with wife Yolanda, was all praise to sponsors. He reiterated that if sponsors come forward spontaneously, art will definitely get the much need boost in the State. The Art Chamber has a whole list of events planned for the entire year and the schedule includes the work of not only Indian artists but also of Europeans.

All the young painters are the products of the Goa College Art and have exhibited their paintings at various galleries beyond Goa, earning awards and plaudits for the State. Artists: N Kanhaiya, Vijay M Bandare, Naik Praveen G, Pranali Naik, Rosie da Silva, Ajaysing Kotthawale, Preeti K Prabhu, V Shetye, S Satish and Vitesh H Naik.

KOLHAPUR KALA

THERE was another group exhibition held at the Goa Kala Academy's Art Gallery last month. The works were by a group of artists from Kolhapur and comprised of a wide variety of paintings. Of course, the portraits were the most admirable among the lot.

RANGOLI, A RIOT IN COLOUR

THE people of Gudem, in the coastal region of Siolim, celebrate a 7-day programme called "Saibaba Ustov" every year in October, with a plethora of wonderful programmes. Since the last 11 years, they begin the first day by going around the small, predominantly Hindu coastal hamlet, collecting alms for the public meal on the final day.

The major event is the ‘palki’ (palanquin procession) of Sri Saiba Baba, taken around entire Gudem. In between, they hold various competitions: dancing, singing, dandiya ras and musical programmes besides daily bajans at the Kaloba temple. On the last day, the villagers prepare a grand veg meal, in which over 2000 people participate.

One of the most striking events is the Rangoli competition, which was held on October 18 this time round, with 11 artists from different parts of Goa participating. They created superb pictures with mere coloured powder, on the cemented floor of the temple mandap. The judges for the exhibition included artists Pranali Naik and Sanjay from Siolim besides Alexyz.

The art of Rangoli, which was restricted once to women adorning the entrance to the house with designs in white powder during festival, has blossomed into a popular expression of creative talent in Goa. "At least 25 all-Goa level Rangoli exhibitions and several taluka level ones are being held annually in Goa," says Pratap Govekar, the second prize winner from Usgao.

"Such competitions and exhibitions have gained immense popularity now and are generally held during Hindu festivals, particularly for the Dindi in Margao, Novo Somar in Bicholim, and in Siolim for the plant festival and the Saibaba Utsov (Gudem). In Mapusa it is held in at least 58 individual homes during the Dhareshwar zatra at Khorlim," said Vikas Phadte of Usgao who bagged the first prize of Rs.1000 at the Gudem show.

Along with Suraj Kerkar and Deepesh Adpekar, they have been participating in most of the Rangoli competitions in different villages of Goa. "Not necessarily to bag prizes to but it gives us the opportunity to show our talents to people in villages other than our own," admits Suraj Kerkar. Deepak says, "We gain a little more experience in the colour scheme, themes, etc, with every new competition."

"Of course, one feels really sad to see that the vivid portraits, landscapes and scenes, created on the spot by young artists, last only until the end of the competition or exhibition, which are being held since the last 10 years at least," said Nilesh Venekar, one of the young men responsible for the Utsov programme. Rangoli involves a lot of effort and the pictures done in coloured powder, flower petals and even different type of corn, look much more vivid than those done in other medium on canvas and paper. But Rangoli expressions are ephemeral and those done on canvas and paper live to adorn walls of affluent homes for years together, besides fetching fame and fortune to the artist.

Rajan Fulari
Curator.