Whenever I tell anyone I am from Goa, the common reaction is – Oh what a beautiful place, feni, beaches and what laid back people! And laid back we are. We don’t even know what we have next door, leave alone anywhere in the State for that matter. Well, that goes for most of us. The exception is my friend Fredrick Noronha, who as a journalist, I guess, sniffs out everything of interest and worth writing about. And so, with a desire to make my trip to Panaji worthwhile, I consulted him about the things I could do in the city besides shopping for cashew nuts and spices.
I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Goa has a State Museum. I wonder why most people don’t know about its existence, nor is it publicised in any of the tourist guides or even the Department of Tourism’s sad information booklet which one refers to for places of interest to visit in Goa. The museum is located in an obscure corner of Patto Plaza, Panaji, hidden behind some multi-storeyed office buildings. There is no signage on the road down Patto Bridge where you need to turn in from the main road or anywhere on the way to guide you to it. As I was informed that it is in the vicinity of the BSNL building, I headed straight for it, driving through broken and muddied lanes in the complex. It is actually right across the Ginger Hotel and could very well have an easy access from the side if a lane had been planned. When I asked someone why there was no signage, I was informed that every time they put up a sign the Municipal people removed it. Very typical of one government body running down the other? I was the only visitor that morning in an overstaffed building which is kept really clean compared to other government buildings. Enthusiastic guards at the entrance to every hall guided me from one room to the other. I was offered a guide book at the entrance. This is one place that has no entrance fee – so guys take the chance for some free entertainment! The museum is pretty well maintained and not over crowded with stuff as most museums tend to be. You can view the collection at leisure - stone sculptures, bronzes, paintings, manuscripts, numismatic collection, anthropological objects, clay models, furniture and other interesting objects. Set up in 1973 by the Department of Archives in Goa, an Archeology & Museum unit was set up at St. Inez in 1977. The present building the museum complex at Patto was inaugurated by the President of India on 18th June 1996. The museum consists of twelve spacious, airy and well lit galleries on two levels with a wide staircase in the centre of the foyer – Sculptures, Christian Art, Galleries for private donations by prominent Goans, Religious expressions, Cultural Anthropology, Furniture, Goa’s Freedom struggle and some other interesting displays in the open areas. Let me take you through some of the objects of interest in photographs I took. http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/sharing/shareRedirectSwitchBoard.jsp?token=882261753310%3A438727387&sourceId=533754321803&cm_mmc=eMail-_-Share-_-Photos-_-Sharer Of particular interest are the Misericordia Chair, a beautiful piece, the Table of the Inquisition – and prints of images of the various torture methods used during the Inquisition. Did you know St. Dominic was the founder of the Inquisition? I can’t believe anyone with such evil thoughts can become a saint! There is a fantastic collection of Sati and Hero stones, the Press gallery has an interesting collection of early printing machines and presses and the lottery machines are very special. We should continue using those to prevent rigging J One area that comes alive in a museum largely dead is the Centre for Conservation Education. One walks into different cool rooms to the sound of birds chirping, rivers flowing and the wild life. It is a walk through Goa’s natural beauty, how it is being destroyed and what we need to do to preserve it. The relevant ministers of our government should definitely take this walk and feel guilty about the way our beautiful State is going. The Museum also has an Audio-Visual unit. The screening of historical and archeological documentaries is organized for school students by prior appointment WWF has a Discovery Room where students may come in and work on various projects. I was informed that schools have so far not showed any interest in bringing students to see the museum or take advantage of the facilities available including a Science Room complete with computors, etc. The museum aims at preserving the cultural heritage of Goa by acquiring objects of interest taking one through evolution of Goa to its present identity. The friendly museum staff willingly takes you around and tries to help you with any additional information you may need. They were so happy that I had spent a good two and a half hours there that they took me for a sneak preview of a new find – a stone carving found recently in the Anjuna area. The museum welcomes donations, purchase or loans of any private collections for display for specific period so that it can be seen and enjoyed by the public. Many of us junk curios, utilities from the past that we find in our store rooms. Why not donate them to museums – there are some private ones too. I hope I have tempted you enough to visit the State Museum. I can assure you, you would be most welcomed there. * * Location: Goa State Museum EDC Complex, Pato, Panaji, Goa – 403001 Phone: 91-0832-2438006/2437306 Website: http://goamuseum.nic.in/welcome.htm -- "How can you love God whom you do not see, if you do not love your neighbour whom you see, whom you touch, with whom you live?" Mother Teresa http://sunshinemay-sunshine.blogspot.com/ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Now available in Toronto, a few copies of *Into The Diaspora Wilderness* by Selma Carvalho. Contact Bosco D'Mello [email protected] (416) 803-7264 http://selmacarvalho.squarespace.com/
