The art form that is most true to the Goan soil is Kaavi art as it is created by the very red mud and the hands of Goan artists. Kaavi art has held a high place of prestige as it is still seen in Goan temples and church besides Goan homes. However, it recently came back into the limelight when Kaavi art was given recognition on a national level bringing attention to the efforts of a Goan artist.
In 2021, during the 84th edition of the Mann Ki Baat radio programme, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about Sagar Mule from Goa, who he said, was involved in preserving the centuries-old Kaavi form. Way before that and especially since then, Sagar, originally from Adpai, Ponda, started working more dedicatedly to preserve this art form that is unique to the Konkan region. He started researching about its origins and with likeminded Goans like Sanjeev Sardessai and Rajendra Kerkar, they were able to identify different spaces were the art still existed hundreds of years later.
The origins of this art form can be traced back to Ancient Greece where the naturally available red oxide mineral was called as ‘bloodstone’, implying that the mineral was 'blood red' in color.
“Kaavi Art is an original contribution of Goa as it is a graphic folk art technique, which was endemic to this region of Konkan, which we presently identify as Goa. In fact, it almost disappeared over the years. Under PM Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ we learnt about this art form and we thought of protecting it. The way this art form would be protected to the maximum would be taking it to the artists who will then take it to the world. We started collected information and visited 2-3 temples to gain practical knowledge,” says His Excellency Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai.
The workshop will be held from today, February 13 to 17 at Raj Bhavan, Dona Paula from 10 am to 5 pm led by Sagar. “The workshop will attended by 25 participants who will also be presented financial aid of Rs 10,000 and a certificate on the concluding day. We are hoping that this knowledge will spread across the art community and the people of Goa,” adds Governor Pillai.
This is the first-ever art workshop that will be held within the premises of Raj Bhavan. Governor Pillai says, “I have traveled all over the state and had identified new writers and held a writing workshop but this is the first art workshop,” says Governor Pillai.
Sagar is feeling even more encouraged with the support of the Governor and the officials at Raj Bhavan, Dona Paula. “It was a great experience as I travelled with the Governor to different places in Goa and I am also the first artist who will be conducting a workshop at the Governor’s official residence. However, more than me, it was the huge smiles of the participants that warmed my heart. Besides the 25 art college students who will be participating, there are 10 participants who come from humble backgrounds. Some are farmers who are into art and though might have not pursued art as a subject, they have the talent to creat great works and are into painting and decorations. I was happy to recommend their names and to give them and their family the opportunity to visit this place of honour,” says Sagar, who will be featured in the History and Marathi syllabus for Class 9 and 10 from the next academic year.
To understand what the participants will be learning, one has to go back to the origins of this art. ‘Kaav’ has a predominantly higher content of Red Oxide or Ferric Oxide (Fe203), and is a pigment found in a natural state. During ancient times, colours were derived from natural resources and artists depended on natural availability of raw materials.
There are primarily two adaptations of Kaavi art, The Temple Kaavi Art and the Kaavi Art in homes. Most of the designs found in the temples are of the ‘Etch-fill-Polish’ type. Temple Kaavi Art can be observed at the ancient Hanuman Temple at Advalpale; Sri Brahmanimaya Temple Kshetrapal Shrine at Agarwado, Pernem; Sri Morjaie Temple at Morjim; Sri Vijayadeyi Temple at Keri, Ponda; Sri Saptakoteshwar Temple, Narve, Bicholim; Sri Shantadurga Temple at Caranzol, Sattari in the Western Ghats; Sri Parshuram Temple, Painguinnim, etc.
The other technique used especially on Church walls is called as ‘sGraffito’. This technique, is used on walls that were already dried, a thin (approx2-3 mm thick) coat of the ‘Kaav’ mixture was layered uniformly on the required wall. World Heritage site that still have this art form on display is Our Lady at Monte Chapel on Monte Hill, Old Goa, St Francis of Assisi Church, Santa Monica Nunnery Church and the Our Lady of Rosary Church on Holy Hill.
“This art can be observed in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Kerala too. Through the workshop, we will be going beyond the border design that is usually noticed in different places on Goa and we will be experimenting with new patterns,” concludes Sagar, who informs that the concluding exhibition will be held in the beautiful gardens of the venue on February 17.