Art n Craft of Goa

Goa is a land of crafts and craftsmen, where aesthetic quality finds a natural expression. Goa has a rich and magnificent tradition of the classical arts. Over the years, Goans have excelled in poetry, music and the fine arts.

Goa is a land, where aesthetic quality finds a natural expression. Goa has a rich and magnificent tradition of the classical arts & crafts. Over the years, Goans have contributed greatly to the world of poetry, music and the fine arts.

The major role played by the local craftsmen at the time of Portuguese colonisation can be seen in the exquisite furnishings and decorations used in residential houses, churches and chapels of that time. The Christian Art Museum at Old Goa projects some of the masterpieces of the Portuguese time.

The folk paintings of Goa have been speaking of different places, ancient temples, churches and palatial mansions to humble households. The paintings mostly portrays episodes from the epics - the Mahabharata and the Ramayana and the Puranas and also found are the scenes from the New Testament. Goa's gift of exquisitely carved rosewood and teak furniture, the terracotta figurines, the classical brass items and the unique gold jewelry designs speak volumes of the development of arts & crafts in the past age.

The exquisitely carved rosewood and teak furniture, the terracotta figurines, the classic brass items and the unique gold jewellery designs all speak of an age still valuable in this technology obsessed world.

The folk paintings of Goa have been traced to different places from ancient temples, churches and palatial manors to humble households. They mostly depict episodes from the epics - the Mahabharata and the Ramayana and the Puranas and also scenes from the New Testament.

During the Portuguese colonisation, local craftsmen played a major role in the development of the exquisite furnishings and decorations used in residential houses, churches and chapels. This art can still be seen the Christian Art Museum at Old Goa.

Goans have contributed greatly to the world of music. Many famous names on the Indian music scene originate from Goa. Famous singers such as Lata Mangueshkar and Kishori Amonkar in the classical variety and Remo Fernandes in pop music, are from Goa.

Konkani literature has produced many great names such as Bakibab Borkar who have contributed to the development of Konkani as a national language with some superlative writing.

Local craftsmen in Goa produce a wide variety of crafts ranging from terracotta pottery and figures to superb brass lamps and decorative items.

A large number of Goans have also played a major role in drama and Hindi film industry in the neighbouring state of Maharashtra.

The art and craft of Goa is the product of the aesthetic blend of Portuguese and Indian cultures. The crafts of the state are intricately beautiful, capturing the fancies of tourists and locals alike. These crafts can be at best described as a mirror of Goa's perennial glory and beauty and they have carved a niche for themselves by winning critical acclaim of the connoisseurs of the art world.

Goan art colourfully illustrates the unity in diversity of Goan heritage. Various art forms pertaining to different religious beliefs and life styles have mingled into one unique identity that has developed into Goan art. Thus one finds Hindu artists chiseling out Christian images in villages and cities. Goan art, developed around religious requirements, represents this process of assimilation, interdependence and mutual acceptability.

Goa is a proud place for lovers of Christian art as it houses Asia's first Museum of Christian Art at Rachol Seminary in Salcete Taluka. The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation of Lisbon, Portugal has provided funds for the restoration of this treasure-trove of Christian art objects.

Goa does not lag behind as far as arts and crafts are concerned and has turned out a good competitor in this creative field just like any other art enriched state of India. It can be said that art virtually runs in their blood, which is manifested, in many artistic crafts that have attained commercial proportions. They make excellent souvenirs for tourists. Goan handicrafts include Creative Pottery, Shell Work, Furniture, Brass Work, Bamboo Work, Papier-Mache, etc.

The major art forms of the state include bamboo craft, woodcarving, brass metals, seashell craft, Papier-Mache, and wooden lacquer ware. Other important crafts of the state include Jute Macrame, Fabric Collage, Plaster of Paris, Crochet and embroidery, fiber and Batik prints, fiber stone carving, Coconut shell carving, metal embossing, silver and imitation jewelry, cotton dolls, soft toys, woolen tapestry, and artistic weaving.

GHRSSIDC

The Goa Handicrafts, Rural & Small Scale Industries Development Corporation Limited (GHRSSIDC), a Government of Goa Undertaking, was set up in October 1980. Its main objective is to encourage, promote and market the myriad of Goan handicrafts by making these items available through its various outlets.