Tracking back through time, picture the ever iconic Café Tatorin Panjim in the year 1951, standing proudly on the lane known as Travessa DerRevolucão. In a little shop by the side, with the smell of hot bhaji waftingrthrough the entrance, a young boy, Loleshwar Nipankar would watch his father,rAppa Vittu; make shoes for the upper echelons of Portuguese governance.
“I was only 12 years old at the time, but I knew right then,ras I watched the then governor waiting in our little shop for his shoes, thatrthis is what I wanted to do with my life. I always felt that I had the aptituderfor the business and that my father could pass down the technical know-how torme,” recalls Loleshwar.
But fate had other plans for the young shoe-maker. Hisrfather died when he was barely 18 years of age. Hard-pressed for finances, therfamily did the only thing they could at the time. They sold the shop that ApparVittu had worked all his life to establish. Loleshwar, however, refused to giverin, and with great tenacity pursued his dream as an apprentice with otherrshoe-makers. “I had to hone my trade as best I could. I took up odd jobs withrfellow tradesmen, so that I would gain greater perspective into the industry.”
In a bid to put the finances to eventually start up his ownrenterprise, Loleshwar took up all the odd jobs he could lay his hands on beforereventually putting together the funds to start up what is today known asr‘Vasanti Footwear’, situated on Rua Dom Joao de Castro, a stone’s throw awayrfrom the Panjim post office. “It has been 30 long years that I have beenrworking here, with just the single assistant,” he says.
Loleshwar was one of the few craftsmen selected to representrGoa at the ‘Macau Lusofonia Festival’ in 2012. Chef Vasco Alvares, whoraccompanied him on the trip said, “His work rate was immense. There were peoplerwho would see his wares on display, take for instance Kholapuri sandals. Ifrthey were not a perfect fit, he would take them apart on the spot, get thermeasurements right, and put them back together. It was incredible to watch.rLike poetry in motion.”
With his four children having gone their own way in terms ofralternative career options, Loleshwar knows that it is highly possible hisrlegacy may end once he stops making shoes. Yet, he remains optimistic and says,r“It gives me immense joy to have fulfilled my lifelong dream. It is myrchildren’s turn to fulfil theirs.” With that radiant positivity, and therexcellent craftsmanship he provides, there is no doubt that he will be, for thermost part, ‘soled’ out.
