By Naguesh Rao Sardessai
Maendra Alvares needs no introduction to Goans. Hailing from a family of landlords from south Goa to earning a degree in fine arts from the Goa College of Art, Altinho, he has come a long way. Treating his land as the Lord, he considers protecting and preserving the Goan landscape, environment, art and culture his mission.
By loaning his ancestral property to create an amazing piece of wonder called ‘Ancestral Goa’, without falling prey to land sharks and real estate temptation, Maendra has truly ‘walked the talk’.
An exhibition of paintings titled ‘Just Green’ by Maendra is currently on at the art gallery at ‘Ancestral Goa’ in Loutolim. As an extension of his concern and being preoccupied with the issue of environment, Maendra is presenting few of his paintings that highlight the good despite the disturbing reality with an aim to encourage protective behaviour and spread hope.
Along with the paintings, the artist has created an installation using numerous umbrellas. Bright red one with focus light from behind, in the midst of a sea of green umbrellas, send out a stern message - the message to wake up and take note of the danger lurking ahead if we continue with the abuse of nature and unplanned plunder of its resources.
The exhibition is timed with the monsoon, a season that brings to fore the green glory of Goa in complete bloom. A lush carpet envelopes the topography of this once pristine state inviting nature lovers and tourists. The umbrellas in the installation act as a metaphor.
Eight paintings adorn the wall to startle, warn, shock, educate, inform, instil hope and optimism, all at the same time. Leaf, in the paintings, is used as a metaphor for nature as well as hope and is a sort of protagonist through out. ‘Last Hope’, ‘Light at the End of Despair’, ‘Celebrations’ and the others speak through symbols.
Local cultural activity like the ‘Vodha Poonov’, celebrated by the Hindus, finds a place in the painting titled ‘Last Hope’. Thus sending out a strong dual message for people to maintain communal harmony and be environment conscious. The strings show the need for protection whereas the solitary leaf brings to light the extreme danger and the need for urgent remedial measures.
‘Light at the End of Despair’ a metal plate on a wooden plank with a single form of florescent green leaf does give out the same message. Brass plates have been used for its golden colour to symbolize the wealth from nature.
‘Through this exhibition,’ he says, ‘I want to engage people in a debate and discussion and make people deliberate on this pressing issue of environmental degradation.’ The message is loud and clear and socially conscious Maendra seems to be quite successful in spreading awareness. His efforts will bear fruits and collectively we can make Goa the ‘Paradise’ once again keep it so for the coming generation.
The show is on view till August 1.
