Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral
The Centenary Year Celebration of Margao-born, world-renowned artist and painter Laxman Pai witnessed a strong collective appeal to the Government of Goa to honour his lasting contribution to art and culture by renaming the Goa College of Art after him and establishing a dedicated Laxman Pai Chair at Goa University. The programme was organised by Madganvcho Awaaz at Imperial Hall, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Stadium, Margao.
The event brought together artists, students, art lovers and citizens from across the State to pay tribute to one of Goa’s most influential modern artists. Laxman Pai’s son, Akash Pai, along with his family, travelled from the USA to attend the centenary celebration, adding emotional depth to the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Madganvcho Awaaz and youth leader Prabhav Naik described Laxman Pai as a symbol of artistic excellence, discipline and cultural rootedness. He emphasised that institutional recognition through the renaming of the Goa College of Art and the establishment of a Chair at Goa University would help preserve Pai’s legacy in a meaningful and enduring manner.
Renowned artist and senior student of Laxman Pai, Prof. Mahesh Vengurlekar, along with Prof. Nirupa Naik, Shridhar Kamat Bambolkar, Maendra Alvares and Sanjay Harmalkar, reflected on the legendary painter’s life and philosophy. Speakers recalled his uncompromising commitment to originality, his influence as a teacher, his discipline, humour and the strong guru–shishya tradition through which he shaped generations of artists.
The programme began with dignitaries paying floral tributes to the portrait of Laxman Pai. Akash Pai was felicitated on behalf of Madganvcho Awaaz, following which five senior students of Laxman Pai were honoured in recognition of their artistic journeys and continued contribution to the arts.
The centenary celebration was attended by several distinguished personalities including Prof. Ashok Shirodkar, Dr. Govind Kale, Sagar Naik Mule, Dr. Pradip Borkar, Vishal Pai Cacode, members of the Mauzo family and numerous well-wishers. The event stood as a powerful reminder of Laxman Pai’s enduring influence on Goa’s cultural and artistic landscape, and the collective responsibility to safeguard and celebrate that legacy for future generations.
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