India: Churches in Goa rate as treasures Goa - a former colony of Portugal - rates as the locale of World Heritage Sites, designated by the UN.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008 By Desmond de Sousa "How to become and remain a World Heritage Site" and "How to manage World Heritage Sites" are the topics for two back-to-back workshops organised by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI), the Karnataka Government and the UNESCO, Delhi Office. The first workshop in Hampi Karnataka from June 15-18 aims at capacity-building of site managers, professionals and administrators from ASI and other departments and institutions related to world heritage sites. Various themes will be presented by national and international experts, followed by discussions, group work sessions and field visits. Deputy Superintendent archaeologist of ASI, Goa, will facilitate a group work session on the Churches and convents of Goa. His session will include the approach and methodology for the excavation and conservation of St. Augustine's monastery, Old Goa, to enhance the tangible and intangible values of the site, in which he has been personally involved for a long time, searching for the authentic remains of the saintly Queen Ketavan of Georgia. Tthe recommendations of the Hampi workshop will be presented in Bangalore June 20-21. The participants of the workshop will include among others, the UNESCO, the Environment Ministry and the Indian Railways. They are the owners of various heritage structures like Victoria Terminus in Mumbai and some old trains. Goa's Cultural Heritage India and Goa in particular, has many heritage sites worthy of being classified as world heritage sites. There is a concerted effort of Goa's tourism policy to focus on cultural tourism as a specific dimension of tourism. Parts of Goa remain like untouched pages out of the history book. Grand old houses, intricately carved temples, grandiose churches and historical monuments are like a treasure trove of historical nuggets. Besides the churches and convents, there is the Museum of Christian Art in Old Goa, where unique pieces of history lie. Christian artefacts are a confluence of Eastern and Western art forms dating back to the 17th century. "Indian and Portuguese art mingled together to form a varied hue," explains Natasha Fernandes, curator of the Museum. "If you look at the statues on display, they have a distinct Indian touch in them. For instance, the two angels on the wall have curly black hair and a darker complexion. It was Goan artisans who sculptured the statues and fine furnishings that adorn the churches. They have used local materials for their work." The museum also houses a rich collection of statues and paintings of saints. One of the earliest pieces is a 17th century painting of St. Ursula. Also on display are shiny glass cases showcasing pieces of ancient religious texts, beautifully embroidered priestly vestments and religious vessels. At the centre of the museum is a huge, beautifully crafted, silver Pelican sitting atop a globe. It heart holds the tabernacle where the Blessed Sacrament was exposed. "These antiques have not come easily," explains Natasha, "and a lot of money was involved in the restoration and preservation of these antique pieces." Overlooking the Church square of the historic village of Chandor, lies the palatial Menezes-Branganza house, probably the biggest residence in Goa. "The house was built in the 16th century by two sons belonging to the illustrious Braganza family," declares nonagenarian Ida Menezes Braganza very proudly. She is not only preserving the palatial Braganza house at Chandor single-handedly, but also the rich heritage of an era gone by. A large portrait of Francis Xavier Braganza adorns the walls. "He converted large fallow lands into fertile fields and pampered the house with the wealth generated through the agriculture", explains Ida. "Unfortunately in 1962 we lost all these large lands through the Land Reforms Act, which gave the land to the tiller. I was left with no means to maintain our priceless heritage," she moans. Of particular interest are two porcelain vases belonging to St. Francis Xavier and which bear the court of arms of his royal family. The old Goa Medical College (GMC) buildings lend heritage character to Goa's capital Panjim. One building faces the Mandovi River and houses the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) office. Built in 1927, today it is one of the most attractive buildings in Panjim. Filmmakers make a beeline to shoot its neo-classical architecture. The green tile work is amazing. But that is the magic and beauty of all our heritage structures. Another ochre building faces the market side by side with an ancient chapel. The complex was originally the Palace of Maquineses built in the year 1702. This palace belonged to the brothers, Diogo da Costa Ataide e Teive and Cristovam da Costa Ataide e Teive, of the local Portuguese nobility, the Condes dos Maquineses. On November 5, 1842, the first medical school in the whole of Asia was inaugurated in the buildings of this palace. The Escola Medico Cirurgica de Nova Goa, is the umbilical cord of so many Goans. They have been born there. The treasure trove of Goa's Christian cultural heritage stretches beyond its ancient Churches and convents. It extends to religious artifacts and paintings, buildings and historic sites. Rev. Desmond de Sousa writes for the CBCI news site. http://www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?id=15508 ~(^^)~ Avelino
