BHARATI PAWASKAR
What is more enchanting and enthralling than a walk in the past, to begin the upcoming summer vacation? Keeping education and entertainment in focus, the Museum of Christian Art is all set to organise a week-long walk for people of all ages that will take them through the forgotten pages of the history and geography of Goa and help them understand their little state better.
“This unique walk is designed like a voyage through the historic landscape of Goa where one gets to explore caves, rock excavations, ruins, monuments and secret vaults and learn about history, art, architecture, geography, food, culture, mythology, design and iconography,” says Natasha Fernandes, curator, Museum of Christian Art (MoCA), Old Goa.
MoCA has been organising heritage walks of the Holy Hill Old Goa for different age groups for the last few years with the help of conservation architect Noah Fernandes. “This year, along with Noah we have added up one more enthusiastic team, ‘Travelling Dome’ to come up with an interesting summertime activity,” adds Natasha who points out that it is through such visits and walks that one learns how civilizations form and narratives emerge.
“This walk is from a historical and cultural perspective and led by conservationists and historians specialising in art and architecture. As this year the museum is shut for renovations they are using the opportunity to have more outreach programs outside the museum space. This is where we came in,” states Vishal Rawlley, a designer and filmmaker engaged in community art practice associated with Travelling Dome, a brainchild of architect Tallulah D’Silva - an urbanist and environment educationist from Goa. Both, Vishal and Tallulah are interested in evolving methods of education that have to do with real experience, activities and experimentation to bring back joy, wonder and a sense of amazement.
Travelling Dome, a pop-up- community space, works with mixed and diverse groups across age and class. The team encourages parents, young people and seniors to join the so called ‘children’s activities’. Their learning module is free of charge for local children and the underprivileged. Each paying participant thus supports the learning of another person who cannot pay. “Our aim is to team people together from different backgrounds to work jointly for the natural environment that we have an equal share in,” smiles Vishal.
“As we ‘walk in time’ we become participants in the journey as characters in history and mythology: as cave dwellers and ancient builders, as sailors and magical creatures. In such interactive walks we learn through stories and observations, and through activities like building, drawing, prop making, documenting, playing, writing and performing,” observes Natasha. This time around participants will explore Divar and Old Goa following which they will share their experiences with friends and public through an exhibition and a performance on the last day. In this way, the walk will create an engaging and immersive experience - making learning joyful and full of wonder, believes Natasha.
The walk is to all those who are enthusiastic about exploring and understanding and appreciating the unique character of Goa and kids above the age of eight years old are also welcome to be a part of this.
There is a fee charged per participant - Rs 500 per day (Rs 2500 for all days) and for accompanying parent/sibling Rs 250 per day (Rs 1250 for all days). If any of the sites is littered the team may initiate a cleanliness drive as part of the activity. Participants can choose to attend the week long activity or choose a day that he or she prefers.
MoCA entertains requests for such heritage walks from universities outside Goa too. “If we continuously have initiatives like these, there will definitely be interest among the people. Once there is awareness, then there will be willingness to preserve such places for posterity,” believes Natasha.
