Thousands of centuries-old Goan antiques and artifacts, which money can’t buy are lying in unattended ignominy and years of neglect in the stock room of the old museum. The museum itself is in need of restoration as much as the antiques need a place.
The 1996-built structure, housing the state’s rich, unique and diverse history, is at risk of sudden collapse. The present condition of the Goa State Museum (GSM) is such that the floor tiles are damaged, the roof has collapsed and walls have developed large cracks. During the monsoon, sources claim, water seeps in endangering the existence of the valuable objects.
“An ample number of relics like Cotarlim (Sanguem) sculpture, Buddha and Ganesh idols and Shivlings, all of which are as old as 7 Century AD, have been lying unattended. There is no space nor is it feasible to display owing to the weak structure,” Goa State Museum committee member and historian Prajal Sakhardande said.
“The antiques are not restricted to relics. Historians are eager to prominently display Goa’s oldest costumes, utensils and other valuables too by introducing additional galleries. This is however not possible in the existing structure,” Sakhardande commented.
The GSM comprising 15 galleries, for sculptures, Christian Art, Bannerji Art Gallery, Religious Expression, Cultural Anthropology, Contemporary Art, coins, Goa’s Freedom Struggle Gallery, furniture gallery, etc was shifted to Patto on June 18, 1996; 19 years after it was established in 1977.
In January 2014, the government had announced shifting the museum to the renovated Old Secretariat but Department of Art and Culture’s refusal to hand over Panjim’s oldest surviving building left the authorities in the lurch. The refusal came since the Art and Culture department wants to create a painting museum in its place. Museum officials had chalked out a detailed plan to shift the historical valuables under strict police protection. A ‘No’ from the department of Art and Culture played spoilsport, forcing the government to choose an alternate space in the form of the Old GMC complex – one of the main venues for the International Film Festival of India.
“It is a laborious task. Each object has to be ferried with proper care. It should not go missing or stolen en route. There are small gold and silver coins several centuries old… During the shifting, we also need to ensure that these are not damaged,” the then Museum secretary Dr Jaydev Sarangi was quoted as saying.
Sources said that experts had also started work on how to dismantle a 250-year-old chariot – dating back to the Portuguese-era, during the shifting process. A 134-year-old saree worn by the Late Mathurabai Mahadeo Munj in 1880 is also one of the valuables, but has lost its glory amidst the mess.
Museum Director, Radha Bhave refused to reply to any of Herald’s questions despite repeated attempts. In a recent meeting of the GSM committee headed by Minister Alina Saldanha, the members decided to begin the process of shifting the museum post-monsoon. Saldanha too, failed to respond to phone calls.
The Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) has allowed the ground floor for the purpose but some feel this space will not be enough to properly display the antiques. “We not only want to set up additional galleries but also attractively display Goa’s unique objects. However, it’s being worked out and as for now we are relieved to find a suitable place,” Sakhardande averred.
Renowned architect Dean D’Cruz is also of the opinion to give a proper display to all the objects being shifted here in a bid to attract visitors. “The place is located at the centre of the city, on the roadside. It will have more tourists pouring in provided it is not dull. Each artifact/object/relic/paintings, etc displayed at the venue should contain elaborate explanation,” he said adding, “The visitors should know the rich history of Goa. It is at an advantage due to its location.”
