BY SIYA CHODANKAR
Sculptures have been a part of human history for centuries and are not just works of art, but also provide information connected to them. The three-dimensional art form gives us a look into human imagination. From ancient masterpieces to modern art, we can learn much from them.
Let's take a look at 3 fascinating pieces of sculptural art in Goa, which have been crafted by international artists. We explore the profound impact these creations have had on shaping our global artistic landscape, and celebrate the universal language of form, texture and aesthetics that connect us all.
The statue of Abbe Faria was built in honour of the acclaimed hypnotist, Abbe Jose Custodia Faria.
Faria was a Luso-Goan Catholic monk, a pioneer of the scientific study of hypnotism and the first to demonstrate and prove its existence. He received a comprehensive education, including theological studies, and was eventually ordained a priest.
Faria’s quest for knowledge and understanding led him to delve into various fields, including mesmerism and its intriguing effects on the human mind.
The historic statue, made of bronze, was installed in the state capital of Panjim in 1945, and depicts Abbe Faria hypnotizing a woman.
The statue is located close to DB Road, as one enters Panjim from the bus stand. A good place to click photos, one can stop here for a couple of minutes before proceeding to the Panjim Church and Customs and Excise Museum nearby.
One of the most famous attractions in Goa, this statue was sculpted in 1969 by Baroness Yrse Von Leistner, and is quite popular for its romantic overtones and beachside view.
This historic structure has been named after Dona Paula de Menezes, the daughter of a former Goa Viceroy. Dona Paula was a very kind woman. She fell in love with a local fisherman and wanted to marry him. But, her relationship was not accepted by her father, and she jumped off this cliff due to this reason.
Dona Paula was a charitable woman and helped the local villagers and worked for their betterment. Hence, after her death, the villagers decided to rename the village to Dona Paula.
Initially, the village was called Oddavell. Today, villagers and other locals share stories about Dona Paula and refer to the area as `lovers paradise’ of Goa. The area also features a jetty (Dona Paula Jetty) adjacent to it, which provides a breathtaking view of the Arabian Sea and Mormugao.
Tourists who visit Goa never leave without visiting the beaches, and the beauty of the place makes one fall in love with it. So, did this one artist from Italy, named Giuseppe Antonio Caroli.
Caroli was an Italian artist, who visited Goa and was inspired by the beauty of the place as well as its spiritual atmosphere. He chose to pay tribute to Lord Shiva, a Hindu deity, by creating a rock carving of Lord Shiva's face and a turtle sculpture on Ozran Beach, also known as Little Vagator Beach.
Caroli's artwork on the beach became a unique attraction for tourists and locals alike. It blended the natural beauty of the beach with a spiritual and artistic element, capturing the essence of Goa as a destination that drew people seeking paradise and spirituality.
Now, in recent times, the sculpture has been fading away slowly as it is in the path of the high tide, and sand and water sometimes covers it completely. But, one can definitely go there to click pictures and enjoy their time at the beach.