MORJIM: Goa is a treasure trove of talent, where the potential to excel in various fields is abundant. However, many of these gifted individuals toil quietly in obscurity, while only a fortunate few have their talents recognised.
For Goans, life begins with their beloved ‘Goenchi Xit Kodi’, and the coconut is an integral part of their daily existence. Against this backdrop, Sonu Shetgaonkar from Morjim possesses a remarkable gift—magical hands that can transform coconut shells into exquisite crafts. Yet, Sonu’s life is marked by neglect and disdain, leaving him with a hand-to-mouth existence and dejected with his choice of career.
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At 55 years old, Sonu proudly claims that he possesses a natural, inborn instinct to carve various decorative items from coconut shells. He reminisces, “After completing my modest education, I ventured into coconut carving when I was just a teenager. This craft brought me immense satisfaction and joy, which I later christened as ‘Coco Arts’. At that time, the future appeared promising,
as there were not many coconut artisans, and the government provided some support.”
Driven by his passion for the craft, Sonu dedicated his full energy to coconut shell carvings as a means to make a living, even though he didn’t achieve one hundred percent success. He reflects, “This has been my life and my livelihood. I always hoped that artisans of my calibre would be in demand and supported by the government. However, the reality is that this work has received little recognition, pushing me to the brink of poverty.”
With enthusiasm for World Coconut Day celebrated in September, Sonu believes that September should be dedicated to honouring the coconut and showcasing its various uses, including the artistic potential of coconut shells. Coconut shell artisans are part of the Goa Handicrafts Rural and Small Scale Industries Corporation, which, according to Sonu, has become a mere namesake body, doing little for local artisans. He states, “Out of the 10 Goa Handicrafts Showrooms spread across Goa, the government has closed down seven, and only three remain operational, often sublet to non-Goans for selling non-handicraft items.”
In his 35 years of coconut shell carving, Sonu laments that the Goa Handicrafts Corporation has not been particularly supportive. He alleges that funds are either misappropriated or disbursed to close associates of ministers or phony artisans. This lack of assistance has left Sonu without significant financial gains. He remarks, “Surviving in this field is nearly impossible without government assistance. I am barely making ends meet because the entire government machinery treats artisans like me poorly. There were times when I couldn’t even afford to pay for my children’s school admission. I had to plead with the principal, promising to pay in instalments.”
Sonu fears that with government neglect, this cherished art and trade will gradually fade away. He laments that while he painstakingly creates items, he must constantly visit government offices in search of supportive schemes or relief measures, but none have materialised. He says, “The government makes grand promises, but traditional artists like me are left to fend for ourselves.”
Recalling that he was invited to numerous exhibitions, Sonu reveals that even for government or state-level exhibitions, local and struggling artisans like him are burdened with high fees, raising questions about the actual benefits of such events. In his workshop in Morjim, Sonu has a vast collection of coconut shell items, all artistically crafted from coconut and nothing else. He hopes that at least some of these items will find buyers, enabling him to earn a livelihood before he considers leaving the profession in another five years.
