When a painter paints words!

“Hi….I am Kalanand (Anant) Bambolkar…a true fanatic and nature lover in true sense of term. Right from the finesse of a Brush on the Canvas to a Modern Lens at hand, my quest to explore the bountiful nature has grown ever since it came to thoughts...”

Each word of the above statement is as meaningful as any obvious truth in this world. Being nurtured by art and nature of Bandora village since childhood, Kalanand Bambolkar never steps his foot forward without taking a blessing from the elements that shaped his talented soul. He is a photographer, an artist- both in visual and performing field. He has won over 40 national and state level prizes along with state awards for his performance in drama, his photos and his paintings. He has a Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts. Here I throw open the important chapters from the book of his life…

Did you always dream of being a photographer?

When I was a child, I pursued photography as a hobby, but I never knew that one day it’s going to be my identity. I would go around with a simple camera capturing the scenes of natural beauty. It was only during my final year of BFA that I decided to take photography as my major. Before that I had no such plans.

What major challenges did you face during your early career formation?

If I go according to my career in art and photography, I hardly faced any struggle as my father always stood beside me and guided me whenever in need. I was placed in an MNC after my diploma in CDAC and that too went on very well. Though I was taking a huge risk when I decided to leave the job and settle here in Goa without the assurance of another job here, my family always supported me and I feel because of that I have had a smooth ride. Even when they knew that photography costly affair, they did not let me down.

Photography does not stand in the conventional set of professions. How did you family/friends react to it when you decided to take that as your career?

Actually as I said earlier, it hasn’t been much difficult for me to become an artist. My family always supported me in whatever I did, especially my father. Plus, I do not see photography as a profession. It is my passion. If I had to choose it as a profession I had many fields open for me for instance, fashion photography. But I chose to stick to nature and realistic photography.

You hail from a family that has been worshiping and serving the field of arts since decades. As a part of it, what according to you is art?

For me art is a source of expression. As a poet expresses himself in words, artists do it with colors.  Sometimes you cannot express abstract concepts in words and that is where art proves its supremacy as the best form of expression.

Has there been a turning point in your life?

When I was working in the MNC, I felt my talent getting rusted. Goa is believed to be a natural paradise and leaving this land behind I was pursuing something that was not meant for me. I wanted to make best use of my talent and bring out Goa in its best form through my art. That thought made me resign from the job and come back home. That I believe was an important decision in my life and the best part, my family supported me immensely.

What is your message for budding photographers?

Pursue photography only if you perceive it as your passion. Now a days it has been a trend to roam around with a camera and go on clicking snaps without any idea. That does not make one a photographer. For such a passion, the aesthetic sense is necessary. Photography nevertheless is an expensive affair, but one should learn to make it worthwhile and simply not a waste of money and energy.

Need of 'Green' Tourism in Goa

Today Goa’s tourism is basically stressed upon the coastal tourism and very less importance is given to Eco tourism. There is a need to develop Eco tourism not just because it will generate employment as well as revenue for Goa but also it will help in changing the “dirty” image of Goa. Usually tourists see Goa as land of beaches but there is a need that this image should change and tourists should also know the “real” beauty of Goa. There are many areas in Goa which can be used as Eco tourism hubs.  Goa is situated in one of the hot-spots of world i.e. the areas which are full of different species of flora and fauna. Goa is full of biodiversity. 33% of Goa’s land is covered with forest areas. We have six wildlife sanctuaries and one National park situated in Goa. Other than that we have so many springs and rivers where tourists rarely go and explore such places. So these are the areas which can be developed under the Eco tourism. Goa should promote such serene places with careful management rather than just stressing on coastal areas. These areas which remain unseen by the tourists should be developed as the tourist spots by taking into account that the beauty isn't spoiled.

 At present there are resorts in these kinds of areas but tourists seem to least aware about them. They don’t make business as the shacks on the beaches do or we can say the five star resorts on the coastlines do. There is a need that these areas should get proper infrastructural facilities. Some of the areas that can be mentioned where Eco tourism can be developed are explained as under:

Mhadei River also known as Mandovi covers the major talukas of Goa. There are different heritage sites on the banks of mandovi where different historical as well as natural monuments are situated but very few people know about these areas. For example the sacred groves in the Sattari taluka near the Mhadei River. All the five highest mountain peaks are situated in Sattari taluka. Sosogad, the highest peak in Goa is situated in this taluka which can be developed as a trekking and moutaneering site. These are a few examples but there are many such places which can be turned into 'green tourism' areas.

The Dona Paula Beach

The Dona Paula Beach is close to the rocky point which lies between the Zuari and the Mandovi. For solitude seekers, the beach offers an ideal spot to sunbathe and relax. With its scenic natural beauty, Dona Paula beach makes a famous tourist attraction in this beach paradise. It has also been the popular shooting locations of several Indian movies. Apart from these, the beach is known to have a mysterious past which attracts a lot of travelers to the beach. As per locals, the spirit of Dona Paula de Menzes haunts this beach.

Dona Paula de Menzes was the daughter of a viceroy during the colonial era in India. The Dona Paula beach is named after her. It is said that Dona threw herself off the cliff when she was refused consent to marry Gasper Dias, a local fisherman. Most locals say that she is seen rising from the waves on the moon lit night.

Many travelers are attracted by Dona’s story and come here to feel the romantic mysticism associated with this place. Also popular as the Lovers Paradise due to the story connected to this place, Dona Paula beach also offers a lot of water sports. The wide variety of the water sports that the Dona Paula Beach has to provide makes it an interesting beach to enjoy a lot of fun activities. One can enjoy a lot of activities, starting from surfing, diving, sailing, skiing etc right here at Dona Paula Beach. There are a lot of other options in the form of light swimming, floating, and sun bathing on its shores.

Another prominent tourist attraction close to the beach is the Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. It’s a small sanctuary which serves home to many different species of exotic flora and fauna. The Cabo Raj Bhavan or the official residence of Governor of Goa is located on the westernmost tip of the Dona Paula beach. Along the main road which leads to the beach there lie several ruins of small military cemetery which were built by the Britishers.

The Dona Paula separates the Mandovi and Zuari estuaries and offers pleasing views of the port city of Goa, Marmagao. Dona Paula enjoys close proximity to the capital city of Panaji which makes it a famous stop for sight seeing tours. All of which led to the development of hotels close to Dona Paula. Hotel Goa offers several accommodations in and around the beach to ensure comfort and convenience during the tour.

Dona Paula Beach houses several small shacks. The street markets out here sell out a wide variety of Indian stuff, including souvenirs, handicrafts and a lot more. You may even purchase best fitting beachwear at bargain price.

Shirgaon Jatra

                                          Shirgaon Jatra

By Shambhavi Parsekar

The Shirgaon jatra of Lairai deity, in Bicholim taluka is one of the main Jatras of Goa that attracts thousands of devotees from Goa, Sindhudurg district in Maharashtra and Belgaum in Karnataka. During kaulotsav, the kalash of the deity is taken out from the temple in a procession for a house-to-house visit. The villagers perform pooja and seek the deity’s blessings.This famous Jatra is celebrated on Shudh Panchami day of Vaishakh Hindu calendar month. The main feature of this Jatra is the “ Agnidivya” which is performed by thousands of vratasth devotees (locally known as Dhonds). This Agnidivya is performed by dhonds walking through burning coals chanting Har, har Mahadev, Shri Lairai Mata ki Jai.

The original small historic temple is located on the top of the hillock at Shirgaon known as Mudderh. The main responsibility of this Jatra is shouldered by Vratsth Dhond Sevekar Mandali who is known as Chowgule. These persons go on special Jatra for 10 days since Duwadashi tithi of Hindu month Chaitra Vadya Pakha.Legend has it that Shri Lairai deity has six other sisters including Milagres Devi, Morjekarin at Morjim, Shri Santeri at Mayem, Shri Kelbai Devi at Mulgaon and two others and one brother Khetoba whose temple situated at Mayem. The Outis from her sisters place and brother Khetoba are offered to Lairai on the day of Jatra.The Jatra begins with various religious rituals in the temple. The devotees visit the place in the morning to take darshan of Lairai, offer flowers and prayers for seeking her blessings.

The Dhonds wear special clothes with Kad and a towel. The Vratasth dhonds from different places all over Goa reach Shirgaon by afternoon. They take a dip in the holy lake at Shirgaon. They then visit the temple take out five pradakshinas around the temple. The firewood is piled in a big heap under a sacred Peepal tree.The dhonds perform pooja of the sacred wood and then return to the lake for a bath. They take darshan of Lairai at Mudderh and then follow other religious traditions.The whole village of Shirgaon wears a new look. The houses are painted, decorated with lights, done up mandaps in front of every house and Kamanis erected at the entrance of Shirgaon village and at the temple place.The fair is another feature of this Jatra. The shops, stalls are erected on either sides of the roads. The flower sellers, soft drink restaurants, toys shops, sweet shops etc make a brisk business on the Jatra day.

The devotees offer their prayers and seek the deity’s blessings. Another feature of this deity according to the devotees is that it is a Jagrut devi who attends the urging call of her devotees at time of danger to life or at time of difficulty, crisis, etc. The devotees pray to her that they would perform Agnidivya if she saves them from any danger. So most of the devotees make it a point at any cost to attend the Jatra and offer prayers to seek her blessings.The police personnel have made elaborate arrangements for the smooth celebration of the festival. Besides, proper traffic system has also been planned.

Mangroves

                     Mangroves

Along the entire course of Goan rivers, there exists an intricate network of creeks and backwaters. A luxuriant growth of mangroves of  and associated swamps can be observed along most of the water bodies within the estuarine reaches. The most prominent and extensive backwaters with mangroves are located along the East of the capital city of Panaji.

The total area covered by the estuaries in Goa including the major Mandovi Zuari estuarine complex is approximately 12,000 ha.. 12  species of magroves find their home in the saline waters of Goa.

Mangroves are typical coastal plants, which are subjected to periodic tidal inundation. They exhibit a number of morphological and anatomical adaptations and physiological characteristics which enable them to flourish under these conditions.

Mangroves are highly specialized ecosystem, which are characterized by salt resistant plants growing in the inter tidal areas along sheltered seacoasts and estuaries in the tropical and subtropical regions. India has approximately 31,5000 ha of mangrove.

 They form extensive and highly productive forests characterized by the accumulation of clayish mud and fine silt deposits. Various biotic communities associated with mangroves form a complex food web in these areas. They provide wide services to the livelihood of coastal people and are of immense ecological and economic significance thereby forming a significant component of any bioregion.

The Sound of Music, Courtesy the Oberon Trio

Music is indescribable. One may use all the metaphors and similes the world has to offer but would still fail at capturing its je ne sais quoi; its true essence, its awe-inspiring beauty, its incredible power to evoke feelings, inspire thoughts and recall memories. It is this very quality of music that the Oberon Trio brought to light on 21st February at the National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula. This was the trio’s first concert in Goa on their first tour of India.

Oberon, the king of the fairies in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, represents the magic of fantasy and the delight in transformation and play. The Oberon Trio strives to illuminate the unique moments of creativity and joy in its performances. Through the three musicians' curiosity and enthusiasm for works from all traditions and of all styles, they hope to directly convey music that is perpetually vibrant, personal and alive to their audience, and they certainly conveyed this last evening.

Performing pieces as varied as Joseph Kaydn, Johannes Brahms and Dmitrij Schostakowitsch, the Oberon Trio held their audience enraptured. The musicians performed three trio pieces, each of four movements, and each as melodious as the gurgling of a brook on a summer’s day. The notes ranged from the low and threatening “Da-dum” to the light and chirpy sounds of C major.

The original Oberon trio was based in Germany and comprised of Henja Semmler on the Violin, Rouven Schirmer on the Cello, and Jonathan Aner on the Piano. Now they travel across the globe; the trio’s tour of India saw the replacement of the cellist Rouven Schirmer by Antoaneta Emanuilova. Still as vibrant as ever, the three meshed seamlessly yesterday to create one of the most beautiful symphonic evenings ever.

People had come from as far as Ponda and Canacona to hear the trio in concert. The Governor of Goa graced the occasion with his presence as Chief Guest. Father Miranda, founder of the choir Stuti, and prominent theater and music personality in Goa was Master of Ceremonies for the occasion. After two hours of stellar performance the ensemble got a well deserved standing ovation. Cries of “Encore! ENCORE!” were also to be heard. The response was truly overwhelming. It has been rightly said (or sung) “In the end the love you take is equal to the love you make...”

Brahma Karmali Temple

He stands tall and elegant. He blesses all those who come to see him. He is Brahma - the Supreme Creator of the Universe according to the Hindu pantheon .Standing on a beautifully carved typically Kadamba pedestal in the silence of the hamlet named after Him - that is Brahma Karmali. Brahma Karmali is situated near Valpoi - the taluka headquarters of Sattari. The hamlet and temple of Karmali is seven kms from Valpoi and lies in the village of Nagargaon also known as Chandrigram.

The beautifully chiseled out image of Brahma is dated to the Kadamba period and belongs to the 12th century AD. The supreme creator is housed in a simple temple known as Brahmadeva Devastan - Brahma Karmali.

It is interesting to note the etymological roots of this place name Brahma Karmali. It is also interesting to note the origins of this Brahma temple.

Brahma Karmali is so named after the lovely Karmali or Carambolim village in the Tiswadi Taluka close to Khorlim, Old Goa area is famous the world over for her ‘Karmallem Tallem' (Carambolim Lake) visited by varied migratory birds from the world all over ,the Sao Joao the Baptist Church and the famous Karmali ssession were held here during Goa's struggle for freedom under the leadership of Mr. P.P. Shirodkar of the National Congress (Goa) in January 1948.

In the 16th century AD when the island of Tiswadi was conquered by the Portuguese, there was a fear of destruction of the temple and desecration of the deity. Hence the devotees of Brahma in the year 1541 write Lopes Mendes, smuggled the deity out of Karmali (in the Tiswadi taluka) which the Portuguese termed as Carambolim and in a clandestine manner carried it to the Sattari taluka which then  had    not     come under  Portuguese   rule.  Sattari came under the Portuguese rule as late as 1781. They took it to Valpoi and from there to Nagargaon and installed the iamge in a small shrine on the banks of a stream and this small hamlet came to be known after the deity Brahma and the village of its origin Karmali (in the Tiswadi taluka) and hence the name Brahma Karmali.

The importance of this sculpture lies in the fact that it is the original piece of sculpture chiseled out of a black stone during the Kadamba period. The image shows Brahma standing in the centre and its peculiarity being that he wears a beard. Brahma is shown in its trinity form or Trimurti that is Brahma - Vishnu - Mahesh. There is a hallo prabhawal which has exquisite carved images of gods and motifs like crab. Two goddesses are shown at the lower portion of the image. Brahma is also shown wearing a lot of jewellery and holding a kamandalu (water-bearer) in one of his hands.

The Kadamba rulers were patrons of art, architecture, education etc. they patronized the sculptural art and the Brahma image executed by unknown sculptures is the Kadamba art at its best.

GROWING DISCONTENT OVER RECURRENT ROBBERIES AT BETODA

PONDA: The residents of Betoda have been tormented by recurring thefts for past one year and their complaints have not been adequately attended by the police. In one year almost ten to fifteen houses have been robbed of their metal goods. The locals have also expressed their grievance over the inefficiency of the police to react to these repeated thefts.

“We have been robbed of most of our metal utensils and equipments. When we complain to the police they point out our carelessness in looking after our belongings. We have been living here carefree for years together. We have also suggested to them the suspects, but the police ask for evidence,” said one of the elderly villagers. Despite being aware of the most likely suspects involved in the thefts, the police have failed to react effectively. Moreover the police outpost at Betoda directs the aggrieved to the police headquarters at Ponda, refusing to take responsibility of any crime in locality. This has particularly been encouraging the robbers to carry on their work with ease.

There seems to be a pattern in the consecutive thefts, as the robbers nab only metallic materials. The villagers also have a suspicion of it being the work of a gang of village youngsters, but no one seems to take initiative and lead a proper delegation of the villagers to the police, in fear for their lives. Except a feeble assurance, the Village Panchayat has also not taken any major action. Ex- Panch Member Ramesh Borkar has expressed his disappointment over the inaction of the concerned authorities, “The fear of robbery has gripped the hearts of people who once lived in safety of trust in each other. With the consecutive thefts has made everyone insecure, and the authorities concerned also do not act as they should have. Today the robbers target copper, iron and brass, tomorrow they will go for more valuable items. This has to be stopped before it reaches that stage,” he said. 

When the police were questioned, Sub-inspector Mr. Gauns said, “We cannot accuse anyone without witnesses or evidence. It is true that the villagers are also helpless, but we cannot act until we find a concrete trail.” The Sub-inspector also assured to take steps as soon as possible to curb the illegal activity.