Goa: Subodh Kerkar’s Canvas’ is the culmination of over a decade-long friendship between Kunal Ray, a professor of English Literature at FLAME University, Pune and the author of the book and Subodh Kerkar with a deep understanding of Subodh’s artistic journey. The book, deeply rooted in Subodh’s connection to Goa, reflects how his art has been intricately tied to the region’s cultural and historical narrative.
The lecture - Glimpses of Goa’s Histories
Subodh will be delivering the lecture, ‘Glimpses of Goa’s Histories’ at Kala Academy,
Panjim today, April 5 at 4 pm, which will coincide with the release of his book.
In addition to his artistic pursuits, Subodh is working on a second book focused solely on Goa’s history. “This second book will not be a picture book; it will be a history book with some illustrations. The content will be based on my upcoming lecture about Goa’s history,” Subodh revealed. His belief in art’s power to connect people is reflected in both his work and his ongoing efforts to educate others about Goa’s rich history and cultural heritage.
The author’s take
Kunal Ray, emphasizes that their relationship, built on mutual respect and dialogue, was pivotal to the book’s creation. “When I got stuck in Goa during the second wave of Covid-19, it gave us the time to not only talk about his work but also to conceive the idea of the book,” says Kunal. He also reflects on Subodh’s evolution as an artist, tracing his journey from learning under his father to self-education through museums and global art experiences. “Subodh’s practice has evolved significantly over time, and I wanted the book to capture that growth,” he noted.
Glimpses of Goa’s Histories
Subodh Kerkar will be delivering the lecture, ‘Glimpses of Goa’s Histories’ at Kala Academy, Panjim today, April 5 at 4 pm, which will coincide with the release of his book.
Art on Goa’s history
The inspiration for the book grew from Subodh’s long-standing interest in history. “I’ve been a student of history for more than 20 years, especially Goa’s history. It has unknowingly become a footnote in
many of my works,” Subodh shared. His art often draws upon historical themes, and with thousands of artworks, it is only his works related to Goa that are showcased in the book.
The idea for a book began to take shape during the second wave of the Covid-19 lockdown. “Kunal Ray came to visit me just before the pandemic. When the lockdown happened, he ended up staying with us for three months. During this time, we visited the Museum of Goa every day, and Kunal suggested creating a book,” Subodh explained. The Museum of Goa, where much of his work is displayed, serves as a storytelling platform, with each piece tied to some aspect of Goa’s historical and cultural landscape.
Art accessibility
Kunal and Subodh also discussed how to make the book accessible, a goal that resonated deeply with them both. “We wanted to create something affordable. Most art books are expensive, but this one is reasonably priced, making it available to a wider audience.” They were adamant about avoiding costly production methods to ensure the book was within reach for all without compromising on the quality of the book. Published by Aleph Book Company, the book is available at Museum of Goa, Pilerne and Amazon.
A new perspective on Goa’s art
Through this book, Kunal not only sheds light on Subodh’s art but also offers a new perspective on Goa. “Subodh’s work has opened my eyes to Goa’s history, present, and future. Now, even as a tourist, I see the place through his work,” Ray concluded. The book offers a window into both the artist’s evolution and the deeper layers of Goa itself.