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St. Mary's Convent High school, Mapusa is staging a play titled "Lion King"
December 1, 2007 - Hanuman Hall, Mapusa
to fundraise for a false ceiling for the school hall
& upgrading the school playground
Headmistress Sr. Namika A.C. / Teacher Mrs. Sonia Noronha
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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Of identities... on Goanet, or Pan thukknara nahin chalel
venantius j pinto
Soon another year will be over, and things are moving fast. In Issue 641,
Frederick Noronha had made a request Of Identities... on Goanet. Also since
Deepavali, I believe some light has come into our lives, and certainly to
Goanet -- its a bit peaceful. To me this has some significance, considering
that my journey has been graced and blessed by understandings from various
cultures. So am taking a moment to share the the broad threads which have
shaped my hilarious existence. Perhaps, its also a bit pathetically tragic.
If anything, I believe it is quite subtly Goan. The latter, I am sure is
true of all of you on Goanet.
Venantius J Pinto. Lived east of the tracks at BPT (Bombay Port Trust),
Wadala, Mumbai. As Fr. Matthew Thalamany sdb, saw the kids from BPT Quarters
-- we were the BaPti boys. Could have been worse, Bamti Boyz for instance.
Father drove engines. As a child, that to me was as good as being a pilot.
Later upon father's retirement moved to Chembur — still east of the tracks.
MFA from Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY. Too many credits. Desired an MS, but
got sick of the Visual Communication program, and moved into the fledgling
Computer Graphics program. Earlier at JJ Institute of Applied Art, and
Foundation Art at Sir JJ School of Art. Dropped out of Khalsa College due to
a host of reasons. Botched up XII. Loved biology, the drawing part really,
and the Botany lecturer -- a Punjabi orchid. Still like orchids. Can draw
Guru Nanak blinfolded. I said this would be funny. Anyway, spent a year
roaming around Mumbai; just roaming. It would have been different was I born
a woman. Total disappointment to my parents. They did not deserve that. No
parent does really.
Lived with a Maharastrian family for almost five years. They were cool
(friendly, funky, generous). The paterfamilias, Shri Ajgaonkar had an
agitated, yet an appreciable concern towards me. Tai, as I addressed her
because of the way things turned out in that family was a amazing woman,
full of all the grand qualities we attribute to Goan women. I attended
Aaji's cremation, since none of the four kinds were married, and we
Christao's are not restricted by that stricture. At JJ Applied Art, rarely
hesitated to question my instructors in decent (striving to the honorific)
in Marathi, when I heard strange pronouncements in their pedagogy, and
requested that we not discuss in English but in Marathi. It did not go well
with them. After two State ranks ended up with a pass class in GD Art (Govt.
Diploma). This meant that in spite of my having the second highest
percentile in the country at the Entrance Exam for graduate (in India,
post-graduate) admission to the Industrial Design Centre, Powai; I was not
allowed to even attend the interview as a prospective student in Visual
Communication at IDC, (Industrial Design Center) IIT Powai. It was a Tiwari,
who could not even comprehend, mush less contemplate the thought, that
although I did not have a First Class from JJ, that I had nailed the
Entrance of his Institution; which was about aptitude and psychology, and
other quasi-falutin stuff. I wonder how many Veds (vedas) he had/or since
has read. Rules are rules -- that is cool, but at least develop social
etiquette. And more so if one is teaching design. A exile of sorts was
honourable, and so in the U.S.A. since Fall 87, after coming for graduate
studies -- receiving help from a Goan family, who permitted me to stay
independent intellectually. Some said that my Diploma assignment on Begging
as a Social Evil looked horrible. I was specializing in Design for Social
Issues, and still believe the subject did not demand a "zari" treatment!
Others surmised—that I was paying the price for being outspoken, and having
refused to display my work which incidentally was on Amnesty International
at the yearly exhibition. I had designed posters in nine languages, among
other design organs.
Being outspoken worked well when the Institute needed some one to represent
Maharashtra at the national seminar on designing stamps at the India
Security Press Nashik in 1986. My friend, a student power broker said the
Dean told him, Pan thukknara nahin chalel. Pintola pattavya. (We have no use
for one who spits paan (effluents !!). Lets send Pinto) I too ate paan, just
did not drivel it over myself or in the surounds. These opinions I learnt
have coded meanings. Had a great time in Nashik. Intervened in a street
fight and helped make peace. Good experience; could have been killed --
happy to be alive. The instructors at the Security Press suggested that I
should be attending the Pope's (JP II) mass in Mumbai (they were ready to
take care of the trip), and were flabbergasted when I told them that I
preferred getting the rare stamp design education and hanging around with
them. I could always make a trip to Rome someday. Later invited to design a
stamp for International Year of Shelter for the Homeless, 1987. Sidelined
and not paid the kill fee. No response from Dak Tar Bhavan, Delhi. This time
it was a Saxena and named after the Creators. Nathe, nathe! Learnt that
projects went to those connected. Eyes opened. Introduced to the Marathi
phrase, "Lajja bikechi payli pahiri" (Shame [or reticence] is the first step
(on the stairwell) towards poverty) but did/could not relate it to my
existence. Konknni offers a similar proverb, Lozek ani pejek poddnam. Those
who are bashful do not get gruel/congee/pez.
Things get better later. So, where does all this lead to? Perhaps nothing
more than towards an attempt in realizing human potential, to the extent
that one understands oneself -- however simplistic it may sound. Feel free
to tune out at this point.
I never liked the dynamics of conceptualizing for advertising, hence took a
decision to work in production. Earlier freelanced a lot -- not work for
hire. Lance still sharp, though stands in the corner. I have been at
OgilvyInteractive, New York for some time now. There is a price for
everything, even a simple disagreement. So I look for those with whom I can
relate to, irrespective of their belief systems. The others can eat their
kheer, sorpotel, tuup/loni or mutton.
Married to Cecilia Castelino. Ancestral village - Olaulim. Degrees growing
out of her ears. Very special woman. Issues dear to her are all related to
abuse -- child, sexual, domestic ones including, Housing Issues of Battered
Women. No children, but they are swimming in my mind! But, I do like drawing
cherubim, followed by dryads, hamadryads, dwarpalas, seraphim — currently
looking at the dominions, virtues, the archs, and other swargalokas
(heavenly beings). Two brothers, Hyginus and Anthony.
So, I am a mess. But, I like detail, sincerity, and being
there/anywhere/anytime when it counts. I like it when people share thoughts
or at least point me in directions they do not wish to pursue anyways. But
the world is fearful for one besides getting increasingly selfish. I also
like to reflect upon ideas encountered at the intersection of religion,
sexuality and consciousness. This interest takes me in many directions, and
I would not have it any other way. I take a shine to Japanese ideas,
systems, language and color, in a critical sort of way. Currently Jun
Sho-dan (Pre-second Rank (Ni Dan), on a Eight rank ladder) in Japanese
calligraphy, also moving towards Sho-Dan in Rinsho (a branch of calligraphy
where one copies masters, mostly Chinese. Ongoing Japanese language and
Boku-ga studies. It's difficult but well worth it, considering in the
cartesian world we live in, we only have twenty four hours in a day.
I often wonder how come there have been so many many Pintos involved
with social issues and activism in India, both in Goa and Karnataka. Some
are no longer with us, but a new Pinto always shows up when it's about time.
I am pleased to have this surname. And life goes on. Looking forward to
continual learning, ie., if I don't go completely crazy.
More later, when the other Venantiuses in me are ready to say more.
