At the Mhapsa Fest 13th to 15th February, 2004 --- at Altinho Mapusa beyond the precincts of the Mhapsa Court. There are Portuguese era houses which are a cynosure of all eyes. This quite surroundings is witness to the three day extravaganza of Art and culture display. The owners of the houses have permitted the balcaos and some interiors of an unoccupied house to be used as display premises.
So the first I meet is the ever smiling Alexyx ---with his display of caricatures and photographs buy Joel D Souza. They are arranged in a large house belonging to Ms Iris D Costa a reputed photographer of yester years. The house needs repairs and if only some good samaritan could help a beautiful house can be saved. Yes and Alexyz had this to say-- "Fontainhas is for the professionals "(meaning the recent Fonatainhas festival held for the second year in succession by Heta Pandit and group under the NGO Goa Heritage Action Group..where he unceremoniusly walked off in a huff when the alloted space was not given to him.) while this is for those in the North and Bardezcars and above all amateurs...." This indeed was a nice beginning for Friday the 13th on Mhapsa Friday Bazaar Day. Then there was an almost unknown Carol Fernandes a Gulf returnee from Doha Qatar -- her display of egg shell works drew the attention of this writer. Dont these egg shells forming decorative items violate the wild life act.. No said she --- I have a certificate from the Australian Government to bring down the Kangaroo and the Emus eggs --- there are duck eggs etc and other effects made on zince sheets --- "Are these embossed" no says a blushing Carol thats the secret" And could I conveniently say that you are the only one featuring this exhibit of various egg shells in goa "I dont know" says Carol but definitely in the UAE we did a course on that --- Such egg shells come from UK and if one compares my creations they stand a poor comparison to those seen abroad. But it was her hubby John Patrick Fernandes from Anjuna now settled in Housing Board Mhapsa that encouraged her to do something -- meaning exhibit her preparations. Asked whether she intends to sell -- she has not thought of it yet. Then we move to a side entrance and we Ha ve young Pankars paintings he drew his inspiration from next door neighbour Thomas Vaz. I move to the next house and meet the spritely Thomas Vaz his parents hailed from Pedda Navelim in Salcete Goa but they moved to Mhapsa several years ago --- we still speak "sashti konkni" said Thomas Vaz---He is unlettered but since the age of 16 years he took to photography. How did it come to you he said --- when you cook rice you know you use salt rice and boil and see what happens and that is self learning" I shot such images and he proudly points to the See Cathedral in Old Goa to get that footage he chopped tree branches and from a precarious position he clicked this prized phtograph then --- there is another one in 1958 he is this time with Vassalo Silva the last Governor General of Goa before Liberation. "This was during his visit to Mhapsa at a place where Hotel Heera stands. There was a photgraph of a Kunbi woman in traditional outfit another in loin cloth "casti" Now what are his plans --- he is opening an art gallery in Mhapsa Bazaar at a 40m2 premise of his own . "But I will call it "Thomas Vaz Arte Photographica" it will be a hall where photographs are placed spaciously with small legends to explain. Then there will be T Shirts presentation items like cups etc for the visitors" I intend to devoute myself fully to this and do justice to pphotgraphy" And have you trained anyone? this writer asked of him reminding of the Hindu teachings where we are all actors on this stage (on Earth) unless we pass on our talent to others it is believed we have not fulfilled the desire of our Creator ---- Yes its true till this day my children are not interested but I have a 4 year grand daughter who has a penchant for photography ---- "Yeah but that will be a long time to come " I said he agrees with me and assures that Pankar the neighbour next door was inspired by him but he would deifinitely give a thought to this suggestion once he is on his own. He signed a collection of Photgraphs and presented to me with an invite to his new art House. Some told him there was TVAP photographs seen on the net and he was amused for he is yet not cybersavy but he does intend to do some slides for posterity and a meticulously arranged album with photography from 1956 onwards will be on display.. He hjas held an exhibition at the Kala Academy visited by CM Manohar Parrikar and has received National awards for his works. The cultural shows begin late evening so its worth the start given by Lucinda Cabral Ceaser Cabral Pamela Cabral and Micael and Mhapsa Fest though was presented in a hurry has apromising bright future -- it is intended to be held a week before the Caranaval celebrations every year So its good news for our niz Goencars --- Goans are waking from the Altinho grounds - Mhapsa Godfrey J I Gonsalves] Borda Margao Goa ________________________________________________________________________ Yahoo! India Insurance Special: Be informed on the best policies, services, tools and more. 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