Tag: painting

Events in Goa

DAG Unveils Landmark Exhibition on Indian Company Paintings at Aguad Port & Jail Complex, Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

DAG, in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, has opened A Treasury of Life: Indian Company Paintings, c. 1790 to 1835, the most comprehensive exhibition of its kind in India, at the Aguad Port & Jail Complex. Featuring over 200 works drawn entirely from the DAG collection, the exhibition is curated by Giles Tillotson, Senior Vice President at DAG, and remains on view from 2 December 2025 to 14 January 2026, following a private preview held on 1 December.

Dedicated to honouring the largely anonymous Indian artists commissioned by the East India Company in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the exhibition explores how these painters responded creatively to new forms of patronage. Moving beyond traditional courtly conventions, they developed entirely new visual languages that blended Indian artistic practices with Western influences, marking a crucial transition in the evolution of Indian art.

Long marginalised within art historical narratives, Company painting has often been viewed as falling between classical tradition and modernism. A Treasury of Life challenges this perception by positioning the genre as a vital precursor to Indian modernism. The exhibition presents works across three broad themes: natural history, architecture, and Indian manners and customs. Together, these paintings document India’s flora and fauna with scientific precision, record architectural landmarks and cityscapes through hybrid visual techniques, and vividly portray traders, artisans, religious figures, and sacred idols.

Beyond their aesthetic value, these works serve as historical records of worlds that have since undergone profound transformation. From depictions of now-endangered plant species and altered ecosystems to careful renderings of architectural heritage and social customs, the paintings offer rare visual insights into India’s past. They also reflect European patrons’ desire to document an unfamiliar land and the ingenuity with which Indian artists adapted their skills to meet new expectations and audiences.

The exhibition includes works by known Company artists such as Sita Ram, Sewak Ram, and Chuni Lal, alongside contextual works by European artists including James Forbes, F. B. Solvyns, and Charles Gold. These references illuminate the broader visual culture of the period, demonstrating how Indian painters engaged with foreign models to create something entirely new rather than merely imitating Western styles.

Speaking on the occasion, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, said the exhibition brings to Goa an extraordinary era of Indian artistic brilliance and reinforces the state’s growing role as a centre for heritage-driven cultural experiences. Ashish Anand, CEO and Managing Director of DAG, noted that the exhibition builds on the gallery’s longstanding commitment to presenting pre-modern and hybrid art practices that laid the groundwork for Indian modernism.

Director of the Department of Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik, highlighted the exhibition’s contribution to Goa’s cultural calendar and its role in promoting meaningful tourism rooted in learning and heritage. Managing Director of GTDC, Shri Kuldeep Arolkar, and Vice President of Operations and Business Development at Aguad Port and Jail Complex, Shri Savio Mathias, also emphasised the importance of hosting high-calibre cultural initiatives that bring together art, history, and public engagement.

Accompanied by a publication featuring an introductory essay by curator Giles Tillotson and scholarly contributions from Apurba Chatterjee, Nicolas Roth, Malini Roy, Rosie Llewellyn-Jones, and Jennifer Howes, A Treasury of Life repositions Company painting as an essential chapter in India’s artistic journey. The exhibition invites audiences to reconsider the beginnings of modern Indian art through the lens of a genre that captured a moment of profound transition and creative exchange.

EduConnect

St. Mary’s Convent High School, Mapusa Held School Exhibition 3.0: Igniting Young Minds Through Creativity & Innovation

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

St. Mary’s Convent High School, Mapusa organised School Exhibition 3.0 on 21st and 22nd November 2025 in the school premises, bringing together creativity, innovation, and culture under one inspiring theme: “Igniting Young Minds Through Creativity & Innovation.” The exhibition showcased a wide range of student-created exhibits across Art, Science, and Social Science. Students from neighbouring schools visited the exhibition on 21st November 2025, while parents along with the students explored the displays on 22nd November 2025. Visitors were warmly welcomed with lively Goan folk dances that beautifully reflected the vibrant culture of Goa, accompanied by soothing Western musical pieces and classical Indian compositions. A counter presenting traditional Portuguese dishes added a distinctive and elegant cultural flavour, enriching the entire experience.

The entrance of the school was creatively decorated on the theme of Space, capturing the attention of visitors from the moment they arrived. Each floor featured colourful and thematic displays that added to the brilliance and beauty of the event. The Science section presented various working models and experiments that demonstrated scientific principles and innovations with clarity and enthusiasm. The Social Science exhibits explored historical discoveries, the prehistoric period, and key geographical ideas through charts and working models that were both educational and visually engaging. The Art displays featured paintings, newspaper art, and a variety of creative works that reflected the students’ artistic imagination, creativity, and dedication.

Visitors from other schools, as well as parents, expressed deep appreciation for the event. They praised the students’ creativity, innovation, and confidence, as well as the thoughtful planning and visually appealing presentations that made the exhibition informative, interactive, and inspiring. School Exhibition 3.0 once again reinforced the importance of fostering scientific thinking, encouraging artistic talent, and promoting historical and geographical understanding among students. By providing meaningful exposure to creative, cultural, and scientific pursuits, the event truly lived up to its theme, igniting young minds through creativity and innovation.

Social

“Different Strokes” Art Exhibition Brings Hope Through Creativity with Tr. Dylan Fernandes at Sanskruti Bhavan

Tanisha Cardozo

The “Different Strokes” Art Exhibition at Sanskruti Bhavan, Central Library, Patto, Panjim, has brought together a vibrant collection of over a hundred artworks created by twenty-five talented artists from Goa. This inspiring exhibition, which is open to the public until Sunday, 23rd November 2025, carries a powerful purpose—every artwork showcased contributes to a larger mission of hope, compassion, and transformation. Organized by artist and curator Mrs. Rubina Dsouza in collaboration with Don Bosco’s Charities, the exhibition was inaugurated by Arch. Neville Monteiro, President of ‘Assistencia’. It serves as a meaningful platform where art meets philanthropy, allowing visitors to experience creativity while supporting a significant social cause.

Among the many artists featured, the works of Teacher Dylan Fernandes from Holy Cross High School, Siolim, daughter of Domingos and Benediana Fernandes, stand out as a heartfelt offering as part of her Pilgrimage of Hope during the Jubilee Year. This initiative gave her, along with many other artists, an opportunity to lend their artistic talent to make a difference in the lives of those in need. The exhibition features both established names and emerging creators, all united in their desire to bring hope to the marginalized.

Don Bosco Konkan Development Society, a branch of the Salesians of Don Bosco, has long been committed to improving the lives of children, youth, women, and socially disadvantaged communities. Their mission—“Transforming Lives for a Better Tomorrow”—is reflected through their numerous programmes focusing on education, skill development, women’s empowerment, child care, and community welfare. With the entire proceeds from the sale of artworks dedicated to supporting these outreach initiatives, “Different Strokes” stands as a true example of art being used as a force for good. The exhibition not only celebrates creativity but also amplifies the collective responsibility of society to uplift its vulnerable sections. It is an event that touches the heart, inspires action, and proves that art, when shared generously, can indeed transform lives.

Events in Goa

MOG Celebrates 10 Years with Landmark ‘Festivals of Goa’ Exhibition

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The Museum of Goa (MOG) is commemorating a decade of creativity, innovation, and cultural dialogue with Festivals of Goa, a landmark exhibition that runs from November 9, 2025, to January 18, 2026, at its Pilerne campus. Featuring over 100 artists and more than a hundred works, this ambitious exhibition provides a unique lens through which visitors can explore Goa’s rich cultural fabric, evolving identity, and abundant diversity.

Curated under four simultaneous shows within the broad theme of Festivals of Goa, the exhibition examines shared histories, interfaith practices, and the ways in which traditions have adapted to modernity. Visitors can experience Goa’s festivals not just as cultural spectacles, but as vibrant spaces of memory, identity, and community expression. Sharada Kerkar, Director of MOG, emphasizes that the exhibition aims to reveal both widely celebrated and lesser-known festivals, offering insight into over 30 different festivities across the state.

The exhibition features works by noted Goan artists including Ramdas Gadekar, Viraj Naik, Chaitali Morajkar, Harshada Kerkar, Siddesh Chari, Sonia Rodrigues Sabharwal, Verodina Ferrao De Sousa, Asavari Gurav, Daniel D’Souza, and Nalini Elvino de Sousa, among others. Through photography, collaborative installations, multimedia artworks, and a children’s art show, Festivals of Goa reflects on the power of art to bridge communities and transform society. Subodh Kerkar, founder of MOG, underscores that the museum’s mission is to democratize contemporary art and create a space where the diverse voices of Goa can be heard freely.

The exhibition is divided into distinct sections to illuminate different aspects of Goan festivities. Where We Gather presents collaborative community projects, including a Narakasur, a crochet Christmas tree, and a giant Matoli, emphasizing the unifying power of community-based art practices. Festivals as Playgrounds, a children’s art exhibition curated by the museum’s Children’s Art Studio, explores creativity, community, and celebration from the perspective of young artists. Side by Side, curated by MOG, examines artistic responses to known and lesser-known festivals, offering insights into Goan society. Finally, The Seen/Unseen photo exhibition, curated by Prashant Panjiar, Indrajit Khambe, and Sharada Kerkar, reveals the labor, anticipation, and devotion behind the celebrations, offering a nuanced view beyond the spectacle.

The preview night set the tone for this landmark exhibition, featuring performances by celebrated Goan singer Sonia Shirsat and local band Roz Angon. Nilankur Das, Collaborations and Engagements Lead for MOG, reflected on the museum’s journey, noting that what began as a dream has grown into a dynamic space where artists, thinkers, students, and visitors intersect to engage with Goa’s histories, contradictions, and celebrations.

Since its establishment in 2015, MOG has emerged as a vibrant platform for artistic expression, collaborating with over 500 artists globally and hosting more than 600 exhibitions and events. The museum welcomes around 70,000 visitors annually, including 12,000 students from Goan schools, fostering a deep connection between contemporary art and the local community.

Festivals of Goa is open to visitors from November 9, 2025, to January 18, 2026, offering a once-in-a-decade opportunity to experience the state’s cultural richness, artistic diversity, and communal spirit at the Museum of Goa, Pilerne.

Spotlight

Sharmila Coutinho: An Artist’s Journey Beyond Borders

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

“Make art when no one cares. Make it raw, make it real.
That’s where your true voice takes shape—not through perfection, but through consistent, honest expression.” – Sharmila Coutinho

Sharmila Coutinho’s journey as an artist is one that beautifully blends resilience, creativity, and a deep sense of purpose. She recalls how drawing came naturally to her, never forced or taught, but simply present as her happy place—a space where the world made sense. At just seven years old, a simple Santa gift of a 24-shade colour set opened a world of endless hues and possibilities. That magic box was the first spark that set her on a path she would later choose to embrace fully.

Blooming Where She Was Planted

Encouraged by her mother, Sharmila joined Bal Bhavan, where her creativity was nurtured in countless ways, from the art studio to the music room, from clay modeling to the library where she first discovered Vincent van Gogh’s letters. These experiences shaped her perspective, revealing not only the struggles of an artist but also the beauty of persistence and self-expression. Although she initially chose the conventional path of science and computer studies, her heart was always drawn back to colour and canvas. Dropping out to pursue Fine Arts was one of the most defining choices of her life, one that came with struggles but also profound fulfillment.

Her path as an artist was far from smooth. She faced doubts—both her own and those of others—but chose to bloom where she was planted. She worked hard, supported herself, and learned the ways of the art market through experience and even through setbacks. Her studio in Goa became the place where her work reached people across the world—Spain, the UK, and beyond—all without her chasing opportunities. Instead, her art spoke for itself. Among her many milestones, two stand out: conceptualizing and designing the Lusofonia Games torch, a seashell-inspired piece that symbolized unity among coastal nations, and creating the official IFFI poster when the festival first came to Goa.

Today, Sharmila continues her creative journey as Deputy Infographic Editor at The Times of India, where she works with visionary editors and design professionals who recognize her talent. She sees art not as confined by borders but as an evolving practice of growth and expression. For her, creativity begins in silence, in stillness, and in the ability to declutter both the mind and surroundings. Travel, music, psychology, and deep conversations fuel her inspiration, while minimalism helps her maintain the clarity to create.

Creating for Meaning, Not Metrics

She acknowledges the challenges—self-doubt, external pressures, fleeting digital attention spans—but believes true growth lies in creating for meaning, not metrics. For aspiring artists, her advice is simple yet powerful: create when no one is watching, create without applause, and create because it fulfills you. Recognition may come, but fulfillment lies in the process itself.

Looking ahead, Sharmila hopes to reconnect with the tactile side of art after years of working in the digital realm. She dreams of returning to hands-on creation—painting, experimenting, and building with materials directly.

Her journey is ongoing, her canvas still open, and through it all, one truth remains: stay true, don’t lose yourself in the noise, and let your creativity continue to bloom without borders.