Around five months ago, the Salgaocar family invited onboard award-winning author, Siddharth Dhanvant Shanghvi to host a salon seriesat Sunaparanta, Goa Centre for the Arts. Set in the cosy courtyard setting ofCafé Alfresco, ‘The Shanghvi Salons’ began on November 17, 2012 withcontemporary Indian artist, Sudarshan Shetty. Subsequent salons saw eminentpersonalities such as Booker Prize winning Irish author, Anne Enright andphotographer Sooni Taraporevala talk about the motivations and concerns that inspiretheir work.
“I got in touch with the Salgaocars because of theirbrilliant daughter Isheta, who originally set up the salons,” Shanghvi says,adding, “I've long admired their vision, acumen, dedication and excellent artsprogramme.”
When asked why he chose to collaborate with Sunaparanta,Shanghvi says, “I am amazed by the Salgaocar’s enthusiasm and profound interestin the arts and I was delighted when they asked me to bring my salons toSunaparanta.”
Sunaparanta was launched by Dattaraj Salgaocar to sponsorand promote innovative work in visual arts and serve as a bridge between Goan,national and international art communities.
While the guests invited to ‘The Shanghvi Salon’ are eitherthe author’s friends or someone he’d like to be friends with, what takespriority is their talent and their ability to tell a story. Before the showbegins, Shanghvi discusses the topics with his guests. “I researchextensively,” he says, “and I always, always surprise them with a few trickquestions. It’s nice to see my friends wriggle a little, and then come back topof their form. I'm not here to talk about the weather,” he chuckles amusingly.
Shanghvi is an author, but at Sunaparanta, he steers theconversation. Elucidating on this, he says, “Writing and talking is aboutnarration. While the former is a constructing narrative, the latter is aboutdrawing narrative out. We are here to celebrate stories, without which there isno life,” he says.
Apart from the Sunaparanta, Shanghvi spends a lot of histime at his little cottage in Moira. “Goa cannot be described. That’s itschallenge and beauty,” he says. “I certainly don't subscribe to the touristview of Goa- that of beaches and parties- as I find that too dull. I prefer theGoa I know and inhabit - village life, excellent neighbours, the rivers,” headds.
Goa has not just welcomed the author to its sun-kissed land,but also inspired him in his writing. “I am thinking of a story involvingadolescence. It’s the time in our lives when we're honest. We're not burdened bythe innocence of childhood or the fatigue of adulthood. It’s a difficult andexcellent place to be, and I'd like to write about that,” he says.
After conducting the last salon, Shanghvi will look forwardto some well-deserved rest. If he’s not resting, you will find him spendingtime in love, travel and paying his bills!
The fourth and final salon in this very interesting andimmensely successful series was held on February 9.
