the goan I network
PANAJI
Amidst the lockdown 2.0 and little for people to put their creative minds to, Gerard da Cunha, the architect-friend of iconic Goan artist-cartoonist Mario Miranda and the latter's two sons, Raul and Rishaad, have launched a hunt of sorts for Goa's 'Mario 2.0' through an online art contest.
Predictably themed 'Life in the time of Coronavirus' the contest is timed to prelude the late Mario Miranda's 94th birthday (May 2) and more importantly to break the "paranoia" people are seemingly slipping into after confinement forced by the pandemic, according to da Cunha, a well known architect and also custodian of Mario's art besides doubling as curator of the 'Mario Gallery'.
Styled 'Who will be the next Mario Miranda' the contest is open to anyone aged 10 and above, but necessarily resident of Goa, a territory whose life, culture, landscapes, people, dress the celebrated artist-cartoonist made famous through his inimitable caricaturing and art.
It will be judged in four separate age categories after April 30, the last date for submission of entries for the contest. Winners are to be announced on May 2, Miranda's birth anniversary.
A fan more than a friend of the late Mario Miranda, da Cunha, himself known to document and promote preservation of Goa's home architecture and heritage, is hoping the contest will help spot Goans who will potray the current times in the pandemic in the unique Mario genre in the art they submit for the contest.
Mario Miranda who spent his best professional years in Bombay, cartooning for the Mid-day and Times of India, besides plying his art trade, retired to his native village in Loutolim in the 90's. He was conferred the Padmashri and died at age 85 in 2011.
Miranda was born in Daman. His early cartoons presented vignettes of Goan village life, a theme he is best known for even today.
