Cement art works to depict mosaic in Konkani communities

Cement art works to depict mosaic in Konkani communities

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, July 27, 2016: Artists from Shilpakala Academy will prepare it is stated, unique artworks from cement depicting the various Konkani communities.  

The masterpieces will be prepared by 20 artists,  under the guidance of camp director Gourishankar BG. The artworks will be put up at the Kalaangann Campus in Shakthinagar.

Eric Ozario, head, Mandd Sobhann, said that they are trying to feature the diversity of Konkani communities in the region, spread over Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada and also, Goa. "Since it may not be practical to feature every aspect, we have finalised 15 of them and these will be given shape through the cement art works," said Ozario.

Some of the 15 aspects are: * A ratha depicting the famous car festival of Gowda Saraswat Brahmins (GSB); * Manddo dance of Goans; Zagor Lok Kala from Goa; * Siddi dance from Uttara Kannada; * Gumatt and Baila of Christian community; * Daff of Navayithi community from Bhatkal; * Thonniyo, a form of stick dance by Kharvi community of Uttara Kannada and * Kuddmi community’s Gummatt, a primitive percussion instrument which is used by the tribal Kuddmi’s to celebrate and dance.

Camp director Gourishankar said that unlike clay, cement art requires precision as it solidifies faster, in a matter of hours. "We use steel for anatomy and mesh for drawing the features of the people and objects. In short, it is like a construction activity but with an artistic touch,’’ he observed.

The team of 20 artisans has 10 assistant artisans, who will carry out the cement art work. The art works will be dedicated to the art world on August 7 by the MLC and Congress chief whip Ivan D’Souza at Kalaangann. "These statues will be a permanent fixture in the Kalaangann campus," said Ozario.