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HOUSES OF GOA MUSEUM: unique museum by reputed architect Gerard da Cunha, encapsulates for posterity the phenomenal outcome of the amalgamation of eastern and western architectural styles. He says, "What you see in Goan houses, you don't see in Portugal, or elsewhere in the world."
Strangely enough it is in the shape of a triangle and resembles a ship. Looking from the outside it is a mystery, but as you begin your visit it slowly unfolds its charms.
We in Goa have a strange but novel history and that is, we are part of the first sustained encounter between the East and the West. We in Goa have a long and rich history from times immemorial and much before the arrival of the Portuguese. This encounter however produced a culture and architecture which is unique.
This museum showcases the houses which were the prime expression of the Goan identity.
At the first level is a section around the staircase which places Goa in a world context. Mario Miranda has created a panel called ‘Glimpses of Goa’ where he sketches all the Historic events in Goa. Below this is a 7.2 meters long ‘Chronology of the World Architecture’ which pictorially shows the best buildings built during man’s existence along with Indian and Goan buildings of the time. In ‘Historic Pictorial Records of Goa’ are old photographs, sketches and paintings including examples from the 15th century. Perhaps the most interesting panel in this section is ‘Encounter with the outside world’ in which is the story of the Chinese Admiral Zeng who visited Anjadiv in a Flotilla of 168 ships nearly a century before the Portuguese arrived.
At the 2nd Level, one moves to the details of these houses and we see old windows, grills, railings, columns, tiles, false ceilings, floors etc all catalogued and explained. At this level are also panels on ‘Climate and Architecture’, ‘Materials and Construction’, ‘China Mosaics’ and ‘Frescos’. Mario Miranda has prepared a special panel on the ‘Interiors’ of houses.
At the third level are sections on ‘Tulsis’, ‘Balcao’, ‘Crosses’ and many more. This level also converts into 30 seater theatre in a couple of minutes, where slide shows and lectures can be held.
Besides the panels, sketches, drawings and photographs, the theme is explained with the help of Architectural models and computers. The entry fee of Rs.25/- per head and a slide show will be shown every evening at 7:00 PM.
A pictorial feature with a VIDEO can be seen at http://www.goacom.com/goanow/2004/may/Feature.htm BACK