The capital city’s oldest Rotary Club pays a tribute to Panaji, penned and curated by Sanjeev Sardesai
Rotary Club of Panaji has recently released a coffee-table book that enlists a pictorial history of Panaji. Brief History and Glimpses of Panaji is written and curated by chronicler of Goa, Sanjeev Sardesai.
“Rtn. Shashank Mahatme, Rotary Club of Panaji’s 59th President, during one of the pre-installation and planning meetings solicited some ideas about how the club could be taken into the drawing rooms of people at large, where the club’s activities could make a positive impact as also ensure that a strong recall value of the Club could be created,” says Viresh Nadkarni, Club President.
“Among many suggestions, one suggestion put forth by Rtn. Mahatme was that we produce a coffee-table book. The suggestion was well accepted, and then came the issue of the subject matter. Again he suggested that we create a book with a very brief history about the Rotary Club, as people at large would not be really keen to read lengthy write ups about projects and social causes taken up by the club. He suggested that along with a brief history of the club, and keeping with the same subject thought, a historical tour of the city of Panaji be done. Panaji city, because the name of the club itself, is associated with the capital city of the state,” adds Nadkarni.
Book on the life and works of Vamona Navelcar
Vamona Ananta Sinai Navelcar (born 5 May 1930) is a Goan artist from Pomburba, who has studied and worked in Portugal, Mozambique and Goa.
Navelcar began his art career in Mozambique, after training in Portugal, where he also lived for some time. He excels in Christian figurative art. He adopted the name of “Ganesh”, after an incident that caused him to be “reborn” (Lord Ganesh is associated with new beginnings) and in memory of his brother Ganesh
Navelcar has been called “a state treasure of Goa, whose remarkable oeuvre spans several decades.”
He has twice received the Gulbenkian Foundation Fellowships (1963 and 1971) and he was awarded atthe International Exhibition of Art in Monte Carlo for his ink drawing, Angoch Woman. He is considered a “prolific master of line” with a specialisation in murals and bas-relief composed of metallic, wooden and glass structures and his works form part of private and museum collections worldwide.
Senior Chartered Accountant, V B Prabhu Verlekar has recently released a book in honour of the artist titled Vamona Navelcar: Art & Reflections. “As an ardent admirer of his works and his unique style of drawing, the publication of this book is a small gesture of my love and appreciation for this great artist and a wonderful human being,” says Prabhu Verlekar
Sanjeev V. Sardesai of Hands-on-Historians was recommended to curate the project. Sardesai, on his part, readily agreed to marshall the exercise. “My whole objective is bring to fore the priceless heritage monuments of Goa, to the present generation, and help them to continue the respect for these facets of our city – as a start! Much has been written about the heritage of Panaji and Goa, but hardly any of this information is taken to the people, in a manner that they wish to see it, without altering the originality of the subject,” says the modern-day chronicler of Goa.
“There are 100 pages individually that portrays Panaji as it was and as it is today. This compilation, with old photos from many sources, and ones from my archives is basically to help heritage enthusiasts of today, to travel, see and understand the story behind every aspect of Panaji,” expalins Sardesai.
“Every person who has seen this coffee-table book, have appreciated not only the subject matter, very carefully curated, in a tour manner starting from the salt pans of Morombi (Ribandar) to Dona Paula and back to Ribandar, but have also appreciated the quality of the book,” informs Nadkarni.
The coffee-table book was released at the hand of Union Minister for Ayush and Minister of State for Defense Shripad Y Naik, during the installation function of the president of the Rotary Club of Panaji, Rtn. Viresh Nadkarni held recently.
The high quality of design, printing and ideation was created by Ed’s. Rtn. A. D. Prasad of Milroc Good Earth Pvt. Ltd has sponsored the cost of creating this collector’s edition.
The book is available against a donation of Rs.1000, proceeds from which would go towards very noble social causes espoused by the Rotary Club of Panaji. Call Viresh Nadkarni on 9822150095 to get your copy
