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**** Goanet Classifieds ****
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Enescil, a Brazilian engineering firm requires Engineers, Architects
and Draftsmen, proficient in AutoCAD, for their new office in Goa
Those interested can email [email protected] by 15 November 2011
Selected candidates will be sent to Brazil for 2 months training
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BENAULIM IN THE RECKONING
The over-stretched monsoons had just given way to a burst of a bright autumn
day. But the wildly overgrown shrubbery around the house, had yet to begin its
surrender of greenery to an unpredictable change in the weather. It was a
welcome change nevertheless, and a fine day for an old easy-chair to come out
and stare at the sun, as well. It had now made its way out in the verandah
outside.
This chair has survived several monsoons, and is still fit enough to tell tales
of generations it has outlived without so much as a squeak. Steady on its legs,
it lays back to lend comfort to a tired torso, and its arm-rests can extend
as far as fatigued feet need to rest on.
It is said that the incredibly strong frame of this easy-chair was created
nearly a century ago by the ingenious craftsmen of Benaulim. The quality of
teakwood that was probably transported from Goa’s forested interiors, made its
own contribution toward this lasting piece of furniture. And not lagging
behind, is the intricately woven cane-work that challenges the modern day
foamed cushioning, by its sheer facility to ‘breathe’, inspite of a heavy human
load and the relentless humidity surrounding it.
The village of Benaulim lies on the coastal belt of southern Goa. The village
was famous (as also in other areas in contemporary times), for producing
exquisitely carved wood furniture. It was of wood in toto, save alone for the
cane used as a centrespread for chairs and sofas. Even its joints were free of
nails, and thus devoid of creaking crevices. Ever wondered at the classical
beauty of furniture in an average ‘Sashti’ drawing room? Bet, it must have come
out of the crafty chisel of a ‘theoi’ (carpenter) from Benaulim.
However, its title to this piece of art, was overshadowed through the years by
a band of craftsmen in other forms of art. Benaulim’s playwrights, songsters
and musicians were the latter day talk-of-the-town. They sprang up on Goa’s
carnival scene, like daffodils blooming with the onset of spring. Street plays
(khels) during Goa’s carnival revelry, used to be the dominance of the Benaulim
boys. It was taboo for girls to take part in such plays in those days. So the
boys took over, and so creditably too, that oftentimes it was a tricky task in
guessing their guise.
As years travelled along, the ‘Shakespeares’ of Benaulim made way to yet
another accolade for their already talked about village. The place now boasts
of an ocean-hugging beach, and bevies of sun-kissing tourists from around the
world to laze on it. Weekends never stop hosting social or cultural events in
any of its multi-faceted facilities, and the waves never stop gushing out
sounds of celebration all around.
From a small-time wood carving cradle, to a place on the world’s tourism map,
is like a reverie turned into reality. I reminisced on the trajectory of that
transformation, while slouched in that very chair that had once crossed the
‘rio Sal’ over to my own village of Assolna.
Bennet Paes
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Protect Goa's natural beauty
Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve
Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php
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