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Goa is commonly known as a land of booze, beaches and babes. But, it is far more than that.
Did you know that Goa is home to the longest laterite sculpture in India? Well if you didn’t, then you’ll have to make a trip to Loutolim, in South Goa. And, today is a special day to be there. Here's why.
In the last 30 years, over three crore visitors have viewed India’s longest laterite sculpture – of Sant Mirabai, titled ‘Natural Harmony’ – located at Loutolim’s Big Foot Museum.
As the sculpture turns 30 today, Maendra Alvares, the owner of the museum reminisces his younger days. The passion with which he carved the sculpture, which is 14 metres long and 5 metres wide, with his bare hands in just 30 days, is truly impressive.
UNIQUE AND EXCEPTIONAL
“I was in my 30s, and by then, I knew I wanted to do something unique, different and exceptional. Thirty years ago, Goa was still untouched. Tourism was all about visiting beaches, temples and churches and there was very little cognisance about the hinterland," he recalls.
"So, with that in mind, I decided to do something that would attract tourists to this part of Goa,” says Maendra, as he walks in his pink kurta towards the sculpture, on which he began work on August 1, 1994.
PAINSTAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL
Crafted from a single laterite stone, it was quite literally a back-breaking project.
“I first drafted the sculpture on paper, and later, drew grids on the site. Next, each grid was multiplied into feet, and the process of digging started. But then, getting an overview became tough," he explains.
"So, I made a little platform for myself on a tree branch, which I would climb twice or thrice a day. Every little mistake was rectified,” smiles Maendra, as he looks into the tool box, where he has still kept all the tools that he used to carve the sculpture.
Talking of the tools, there was a lot of learning Maendra had to do before he started carving the big chunk of rock.
“I got these tools made especially for the project. I was young blood, I had all the energy, and within 30 days, by September 5, 1994, the sculpture was ready,” he says as he points to the callus on his hands, a mark to remind him of the hard work he put in.
WHY SANT MIRABAI?
Why did he choose a Hindu goddess and not St Francis Xavier? This is a common question that Maendra has to explain.
“In the Hindu mythology, she is a singing saint who will forever inspire the faithful with her devotion to Lord Krishna,” says Maendra, whose record is still unbroken in the Limca Book of World Records.
I got these tools made especially for the project. I was young blood, I had all the energy, and within 30 days, by September 5, 1994, the sculpture was ready.
Maendra Alvares, curator of the museum
Maendra has added elements of nature in his artwork – tambura which has a lotus and a sun, which symbolises that anyone can bloom even in muck, and the sun depicting the elements of nature.
When art and nature come together, they can create truly stunning and inspiring works. So, if you haven’t yet seen the Sant Mirabai sculpture, then you must visit Big Foot Museum in Loutolim, South Goa.