======================================================================== Ongoing: Exhibition of paintings, Art Chamber, Calangute www.goa-art.com Dec 13: Dance workshop, with Jaap Van Maanen. Tel 2275733 BB Cafe Dec 14 onwards: Shireen Mody's Goa 2002 exhibition, Arpora. Tel 2276759 Dec 14: Customer Relationship Mgt Seminar, Xaviers, Mapusa Tel 2262356 Dec 17, 18, 20: Indo-Portuguese furniture, lectures Fundacao Ph 2230728 Jan 18-19: International kite carnival at Morgim beach, Pernem ========================================================================
Keralite collector hoping to enter Guinness Book By Sanu George, Indo-Asian News Service Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 13 (IANS) A Keralite collector is hoping to strike the winning note with the compilers of the Guinness Book of World Records through his vast collection of antique musical instruments. Joseph Fernandes has built up a collection of nearly 2,000 instruments of all kinds and is preparing to put them on display in this city soon so the Guinness authorities can make an assessment. Fernandes, 45, had written to the Guinness authorities last year informing them of his collection. They wrote back saying they had no existing record in the category. "Even though I got their letter in July 2001, due to financial problems I was not in a position to hold an exhibition for them to come and evaluate. Now I am ready and they are expected to arrive between January 17 and February 2, when I am holding an exhibition here," Fernandes told reporters here Friday. "I have instruments from many countries. The pride among my possessions is a 500-year-old veena and one instrument used in Australia gifted to me by a German." The Australian instrument, he said, is made out of the root of a tree and was shaped by packing termites in the hollow portion. "While more than half of my collection is original, I have made the rest after seeing pictures (of antique instruments)," Fernandes said. "Fernandes manufactures musical instruments at his house here and has hundreds of customers from various countries who place orders with him. A major portion of the collection he has come by way of gifts from his valued customers," said Leela Panicker, a member of the Sangeet Natak Akademi who is helping organise the exhibition. "Despite his financial problems, (Fernandes) has rented a house to keep these precious instruments. Apart from his house, he has kept these instruments in a few relatives' houses too," she added. Said Fernandes: "Out of my collection, more than half of the instruments are not in working condition and storing them safely is a big problem. Some of these instruments, if not handled with the utmost care, would crumble. I am hoping the Kerala government comes forward to help." --Indo-Asian News Service ---------------------------------------------------------- ***** CHRISTMAS PARTIES 2002 ***** Dec 14 - Goan Association of New Jersey, Inc., Somerset +1 (732) 599-7644 Dec 21 - GOA-LA, Los Angeles, [EMAIL PROTECTED] +1 (714) 821-6168 (late fee on tickets after Dec 10) Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] for a free X'mas party announcement here! ----------------------------------------------------------
