BHARATI PAWASKAR
Young Goan artist Sagar Suresh Naik Mule’s journey has been tough, yet rewarding. An award winning artist whose work is exhibited at Kala Academy currently, Sagar is one of the State Art awardees for this year. With many group shows and exhibitions to his credit, over the past couple of years he got a good exposure to art culture. Hailing from the artists’ village, Adpai Durbhat in Ponda, Sagar proudly states that his village is popularly known as ‘Kalakarancho Gaanv’ and admits that as a kid he was good only in drawing and not in other school subjects. Teachers appreciated his work and Sagar used to be flooded with requests from his fellow students to complete their drawings.
“I used to draw for them and barter, asking for a treat - a soft drink or a samosa and they used to gladly oblige,” smiles Sagar, who was naturally blessed with a strong artistic background, more importantly due to his family and his village backdrop.
“Our village is mainly famous for joint celebrations - be it Ganesh Chaturthi or Suvari (Shigmotsav). Here still prevails, the joint family tradition. There are float parades during idol immersions. In the good old days people from across Goa used to visit our village to see the floats during Chaturthi. Even now, people flock here from 3 pm onwards to witness the celebrations. Every home in our village has an inborn artist who uses natural talent and decorate the floats. There are mini float competitions too for children which encourage many of them to indulge in art. It’s a primordial platform to showcase their talent. Even I did the same in my childhood. Later I studied visual art,” shares Sagar who grew up in the lap of nature.
He saw rural people lived a happy and healthy life, staying close to nature. Sagar laments that all that has almost disappeared now. “Though I live in the modern era, yet mind craves for the golden times spent in rural Goa. It was while doing my masters in Hyderabad that I realised the potential in rural Goa and from then onward my journey began,” shares Sagar who did masters in sculpture from S N School of Fine Art, University of Hyderabad in 2014-16 and graduated in fine art from Goa College of Art in 2013.
But after his post-graduation, it was tough for him to settle down and start working. “I had no financial support. But I never lost hope. After almost two years now I could open my own studio which is completely of clay walls and cow dung floor. It relates to my works and I truly enjoy the ambience while I work. It gives me the feel that I am at home.”
Awards
n Prafulla Dahanukar Kalanand 2017 Award for Installation (West zone)
n Applied Art & Graphic Design by Kala Academy Goa (Artist category) 42nd State Art Exhibition, 2016
n Painting & Graphic Prints by Kala Academy Goa (Artist category) 42nd State Art Exhibition, 2016
n 1st prize in Painting in Telangana State Youth Festival, 2015
n Sand Art competition in Tatva, 2013
n Applied Art and Graphic Design by Kala Academy Goa (student category) 38th State Art Exhibition, 2012-13
n Sculpture by Kala Academy Goa (student category) 38th State Art Exhibition, 2012-13
n Clay Workshop by ‘Vistara’, 2011
n Photo Club competition by ‘Goa College of Art’, 2009-10
n Landscape competition by ‘Goa College of Art’, 2009-10
n All Goa Landscape competition by ‘Marcel Kala Premi’, 2009
