Goa's first book on coconut-craft to be released on Monday PANJIM, Dec 5: After cutting the humble coconut shell into diverse shapes and sizes, and earning praise from his work, master-craftsman Vijaydatta Lotlikar is authoring a book that shares his craft with anyone interested.
Parra (Bardez)-based Lotlikar, 47, works at a school in Moira. Coming from a traditional goldsmith's family, Lotlikar accidentally came across this art, after a colleague gifted him with a giant-sized nut. In his book, to be released on Monday, Dec 7, 2009 at 4 pm at the Institute Menezes Braganza art gallery at Panjim, Lotlikar tells his story of how he graduated "from a hobby to commerce". He has been promoting coconut craft as an alternative to plastics, and also as a means to build skills and provide employment. He writes: "In all, I must have visited and spoken at over 250 such places. Appreciation came in. Later, I kept being called as a resource person at different school, by the Goa Handicrafts, and the Rural Development Agency (Government of Goa)." This book, published with support of a Goa Directorate of Arts & Culture grant, focuses on coconut craft, the wonders of the coconut tree itself, and what others say of Lotlikar's work. In the book, Lotlikar shares his experiences with coconut carving, jewellery, bangles, key chains, spoons, crockery, barren nut craft and even crosses. He has created some 500 cross designs entirely in coconut, no two of which are similar! His work on coconut has also earned Lotlikar a place in the Limca book of Indian records. Dr Nandkumar Kamat writes in the preface: "Goa can see sustainable rural prosperity by the intelligent promotion of coconut based economy, processes and products. This is a pioneering publication on the subject in Goa and needs to reach every Goan who's true to his Goencho nall! It needs to be seen in the hands of our children. The art of Vijaydatta Lotlikar has to be practiced and not forgotten." The 156-page book, priced at Rs 195, will be released by GHRSSIDC, the state handicraft promotion body's managing director Nikhil U. Desai. It is published by Goa,1556. There will be a discussion on Handicrafts in Goa: Perils and Prospects to be chaired by Dr Nandkumar Kamat. Speakers Vishnu Wagh (media advisor to the CM and artist), Wendell Rodricks (noted fashion designer), Rajendra Kerkar (expert in local cultural issues), among others. An exhibition of coconut and other craft, and coconut-based crosses, will be held at the venue. The function is open to the public.
