Living the past in the present
A museum in Candolim takes you on a journey of Goan history with the help of
innumerable antiques and artefacts
SHRUTI PANDIT
Times News Network
More than 200 locks with their keys, over 30 old cameras, around 100 ceramic
bottles in which the Portuguese got their wines, a Shivlingam surrounded by
old brass lamps, sex toys of olden days. all this under one roof ? Hard to
believe, but yes. not under one roof, but at one place - a museum at
Candolim.
Calizz, literal translation means heart. "It is meant to showcase the heart
of Goa," says Nandan Kudchadkar, the man behind Calizz. The museum was
recently awarded by Incredible India for their innovative approach.
At the museum, you can see Portuguese and Hindu culture on display. "That's
what Goa is," informs Nandan. "A confluence of both cultures. a place where
churches and temples co-exist in harmony for centuries."
The area has a serene ambience. One sees houses with Mangalore tile roofs,
spires and an old bullock cart amidst the trees.
The tour of the museum begins with the main Portuguese house.
"Traditionally, if you had three sons, you gave one to the society, one to
God and one to the medical profession. That means one lawyer, one priest and
one doctor," tells Manish Arora, manager of the museum. The lawyer's room
has varieties of pens, locks, ink bottles, cameras. The doctor's room is
more intriguing with old medical chests and surgical instruments used two
centuries ago.
The residential area of the house has a huge living room, equally big dining
room and bedrooms that bear the character of the resident. Master bedroom
has a bathroom set of exquisite china on display. "These things were a part
of day-to-day rituals those days," explains Manish.
Kitchen is amazing. It has huge pots and pans and ceramic ware along with
varied equipment like a coffee grinder. The house chapel bowls you over with
its detailing and authenticity.
You move on to the Hindu house with its cowdung and mud floor. The
simplicity touches you. It has a collection of brass lamps and pictograms of
gods. The Brahmin's work place has a desk and prints of horoscopes. The
unfussy bedroom has a mattress on the floor. "These sex toys were used by
the senior women of the house to educate the girls before marriage," informs
Manish as he shows them. Exhibits adjacent to the house however disappoint
you. They are too flashy. Tour ends at the restaurant that serves Goan food.
But one is left wondering when all this began? "It began with my father
collecting antiques and artefacts," says Nandan. "I wanted the world to know
about the history of Goa and its culture with the help of these things which
are steeped in it. Dad agreed and we decided to make a sort of museum on one
of our properties," he adds. Nandan still collects artefacts and antiques.
"But not all the collection is displayed here!" Nandan's heart is in this
heart of Goa, making it one of the most appreciated museums of the state.
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