Dear friends,
Writing this letter I wish to make this invitation as personal as the
realization of my dream. Those of us who have lived in Goa in the past few
decades have witnessed a period of great change, from living in contented
self sufficiency to an over-dependence on modern amenities and technology.
Many years ago I began collecting old, discarded implements and tools from
attics and storerooms simply because I felt they were reminders of a way of
life that I was sad to see go. But as the collection grew, it opened my eyes
to the richness of the culture and heritage that these objects represented,
and to the depth of knowledge and skills that produced them.
Since the last eight years, while restoring old houses, I embarked on a
personal quest to collect, restore and preserve traditional agrarian
practices, their tools, seeds and knowledge involved that were fast being
lost to contemporary lifestyle. My collection has led me to travel the
length and breath of our state, making my way to the remotest of villages,
speaking to the village elders, capturing and documenting the ethnicity and
rituals associated with every item. In these travels I recognized that a lot
has already been lost, and is fast disappearing. I realized that we were
losing much more than historical artifacts - we are losing evidence of the
wisdom that informed the lifestyles of our forefathers.
This anthology tells a story, a story that I wish to share with you in hopes
of awakening a sense of pride, an awareness and appreciation of our rich
culture and heritage.
I was faced with an important question, "How will the children of Goa ever
know what their ancestors lived like? What kind of security are we living
behind for them if they are unable to know their roots?"
My efforts are for this future generation.
This was the genesis of the "The Goa Museum" (Name not decided)- an
ethnographical museum, a walk down a way of life that is rapidly receding
into history. The museum is set against the backdrop of an organic farm. My
dream is that "Goa Museum" will serve as a place to collect, preserve and
pay tribute to Goa's unique heritage. Most of the exhibits you will see are
rare and were difficult to find and many needed extensive restoration. My
expertise as a conserver has permitted me to craft most of the pieces to
their original glory.
The collection is large and varied, but I cannot say it is complete. In the
first phase, it will feature religious objects, agricultural implements,
weights and measures, kitchen and household implements, modes of transport,
craftsmen's tools, besides a few selected pieces of furniture, jewellery,
costumes, musical instruments etc.
Almost every discovery in my search, every conversation with a village
elder, has pointed me in the direction of new facts that need to be
recorded, more artefacts that need to be found and preserved.
This has been a one-man effort so far, but the immenseness of this project
humbles me to ask for help. I need us to communally look at this collection
and decide the journey it should take.
I look forward to showing you around the museum personally on any day
convenient to you between December 7th and December 15th, preferably between
4pm and 6pm, and also between 10 am to 12 noon on Sundays, in the hope that
you will be as inspired by what you see as I have been in working to bring
this collection together.
Please call me on the following number to confirm your visit: 9850466165 /
08326570877 / 9970446065.
Directions to the museum are as follows:
· From the Margao Old market round about take the road leading to
Colva.
· Past the overhead train bridge, and Hotel Colva plaza.(1 .5 km from
Margao)
· About 50 metres Take first left turn to St. John the Baptist
church.
· Follow the road, cross the Church,
· Move till you cross two stretches of fields, keep left.
· About 500 metres after the field to the left is a bar called Sun
and Rock.
· Across it, look for signage that leads to the museum.
Sincerely yours
Victor Hugo Gomes
(Conservationist and Restorer,
Founding Curator of the Museum Of Christian Art)
Victor Hugo Gomes
House No. 498
Pulwaddo, Benaulim
Salcete, Goa - 403716
mobile:09850466165
landline:0832-6570877
