reflections in water
a poetic recollection of the Goan Coconut Craft, the artisan and his environment.
PHOTOGRAPHY:
Juhi Agarwal Saumya Shukla Tanay Sharma Tushar Kiran
ILLUSTRATION:
Saumya Shukla Tanushka Karad
DESIGN:
Tanushka Karad Saumya Shukla
CONTENT:
Saumya Shukla Tanushka Karad
EDITING:
Tanushka Karad
MENTOR:
Ms. Sushama Saitwal
This project is part of the Craft Cluster Initiative at NIFT, Mumbai. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the owners.
A colourful door on the streets of Goa, Panjim. Photograph by: Saumya Shukla
The coconut as the Kalpavriksha 3
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The artisan
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Streets: The home of the artisan
How the sea affects the craft
Coconut crafts in Goa
History of the craft
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Technological intervention in the craft
How the religion affects the craft
Product range
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The artisan’s community
Workplace of artisans
Making of the products
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15 80 An exhibit at the Goa State Museum, Panjim Photograph by: Juhi Agarwal
Coconut shell carving:used to make utility and decorative products Coir craft: used to make rope Frond plaiting: used to make roofs Saran: veins used to make brooms
What makes the coconut palm so special?
A lush Goan landscape, Anjuna Photograph by: Tanay Sharma
Spice plantations in Goa, Spice Garden, Calangute Photograph by: Saumya Shukla
Coconut products on display, Anjuna Beach Photograph by: Tanay Sharma
A decorative product by members of Omkar Arts and Crafts Training Centre, Marcel
The “Kalpavriksha� A
n unending array of products can be made using the coconut. Every craftsman has his own style of working and produces an assortment of products accordingly. Different coconuts produce different kinds of products. Decorative items like Ganesha and monkey idols are carved out of green coconuts and functional items like pen stands, lamps, bangles, neckpieces, spoons, bowls, purses, buttons etc. are made from brown coconuts. The monkeys and ganesha idols made out of green coconuts are speciality products of Goa. The technique used in each case differs; carving on green coconuts involves carving just on the surface of the coconut and not altering the shape of the coconut in any way. On the other hand, products made from brown coconuts involve cutting the coconut completely to craft products which use the natural curvature of the coconut in the best possible way. Carving the brown coconut is hence a more elaborate process than carving the green coconut.
a limitless resource...
The palm is highly valued in the state of Goa. Coconut is used in curries, desserts and for oil. Its sap is turned into vinegar, toddy and feni. Shells are used for ladles, while the husk becomes coir for fuel and to stuff mattresses. The wood is turned into rafters and the fronds are used as thatching for roofs. Palm trees are never cut unless absolutely necessary. It is not unusual to see houses and roofs constructed awkwardly or unevenly contoured to accommodate a palm tree. It goes without saying that the Coconut is one of the most prized possessions of Goa.
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Come, witness the beautiful union between
MAN
NATURE Here, IN GOA
Tourists at the beach, Anjuna Beach Photograph by: Saumya Shukla
Goan beaches: the birthplace of coconuts
Beautiful shades of the beach, Anjuna Beach Photographs by: Saumya Shukla
Set sail on th
he boat of creativity
It is believed that Nature is the best teacher. Artisans seek Nature’s company everyday for inspiration in the day’s work. What their eyes see, their hands do. Routine activities and objects get casually reflected in their work. Their close affinity to the sea inspires products related to the sea- like boat and fish forms.
Goan Streets: Opening the door to the home of the artisan
A colourful door on the streets of Goa, Panjim. Photograph by: Saumya Shukla
A typical Goan street, Panjim. Photograph by: Saumya Shukla
A vendor selling coconut products at the weekly market, Mapusa Photograph by: Tushar Kiran
A vendor at the weekly market, Mapusa Photograph by: Tushar Kiran
Local Markets serve as important avenues for the artisans to showcase their talent
An old lady vendor waits for customers, Mangueshi Temple Photograph by: Tushar Kiran
Goa is considered to be one of India’s most popular tourist destinations. The coconut shell artisans have intelligently used this to their best advantage. Beaded necklaces, elegant bangles and delicate pendants tap a new segment of the market. The fashion conscious flood local stores in search of these products, born in Goa.
All of us “make” things by hand. It is human nature after all; we are bipedal. We all make a unique contribution to society and are blessed with the abilities that with the correct guidance and direction has moved humanity from the caves to the present scenario.
The classical definition of the term “craftsman” is one who make things by hand, in a manner that exhibits mastery of their craft, whether as an avocation or profession. I think that the most important attribute to becoming a craftsman is the desire to create something exceptional. The desire is the likely outcome of our personality and upbringing. The desire to succeed coupled with the desire to constantly learn, to strive for perfection and above all, to stick with it is what makes me a craftsman. Another factor is an
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I believe that every human is a craftsman
insatiable curiosity about the world and its ways and the reflection of my environment into my work. My great grandfathers had an important role to play in the society as craftsmen during the Portuguese colonial rule. They developed exquisite furnishings and decorations used in residential houses, churches and chapels. The Goa, today, relies more on tourism than on its handicrafts. We craftsman have faded into the background while clubs, beaches and shacks continue to be the identity of Goan culture...
An artisan at work, outside Mangueshi Mandir, Mangueshi Photograph by: Tushar Kiran
The places where the artisans work are usually small, compact areas within their houses. The tools they use for carving and the machines for basic processes are all placed according to their convenience. Sanderdiscs and buffing attachments are used for creating curvatures and polishing.
The Journey An illustrated process of coconut shell carving
Coconut products on display, Anjuna market
The devolpment of the coconut shell craft industry can be credited to the irrefutable qualities of imperishability and a The development the coconut shell craft relative ease in theofformation of artworks, as industry comparedcan to abe credited to the ireefutable qualities ofthe imperishibility lot of other forms of art. Despite this, craft requiresand the relative ease the formation as compared artisans to beinhighly skilled dueoftoartworks, the hardness of the shells.to a lot of other forms of craft. Despite this, the craft required the artisans to be skilled due towonders the hardness of the Coconuts canhighly help do a myriad once the craftshells. is mastered. Available in abundance and free of cost, they provide forhelp a significant part ofwonders the craft once sector.the craft Coconuts can do a myriad is mastered. Available in abundance and free of cost, the provide for a significant part of the craft sector.
A mirror made from coconut shell chips A mirror adorned withSharma waste coconut shell chips, Marcel Photograph by: Tanay
Speciality monkey products, Panjim
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Infinite expressions
The speciality of this Goan craft is that every product that is crafted is different in its own way. It has its own special features and characteristics that makes it stands out from the rest.
Coconut products on display, Calangute Emporiums Photograph by: Juhi Agarwal
The artisan’s community
In an engaging conversation with an artisan’s family. An artisan’s families are rarely involved with the craft and usually have an additional source of income.
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Come, witness the beautiful union between
MAN
NATURE Here, IN GOA
Coconut shell carving and its relationship with religion
Immaculate Conception Church, Panjim Photograph by: Saumya Shukla
Mae De Deaus Church, Saligao
Drinking wine is an auspicious tradition in Christianity. Wine is considered to be a representation of the “blood of Jesus� and hence is consumed quite often. Coconut craft in Goa is influenced by Christianity and produces products like crosses and wine bottles which emerge as speciality products of Goa.
Shantadurga Temple, Bardez
Mangueshi Mandir, Mangueshi
A creative Ganesha idol Photograph by: Tanay Sharma
Creative Ganesha idols, Mangueshi
The state of Goa is a multi-religion state. Hindu symbols such as Ganesha idols and religious words like “Om” and “Shree” are carved out of coconut.
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Come, witness the beautiful union between
MAN
NATURE Here, IN GOA
Technology can be a wonderful tool to bring back a fresh spurt to the stagnating crafts. It not only helps in reducing the time taken to craft a product, but also eliminates the cumbersome preliminary stages of removing the husk and shaping the coconut by hand. If used in control, it can produce brilliant results without taking away the essence of the craft. Coconut craft uses a minimum amount of machinery which includes a grinding machine and a buffing machine.
Buffing machine at a workshop, Marcel Photograph by: Juhi Agarwal
The ‘Age of Discovery’ was a period starting in the early 15th century and continuing to the 17th century during which Europeans explored Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania. Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and other explorers embarked on adventurous voyages in search of alternative trade routes to India, moved by the lucrative trade of spices, gold, silver and opium, while the spreading of Christianity was also a mission of great importance. The Portuguese were responsible for the social, political and religious destiny of Goa. The They indulged in rampant trade of pepper, chillies, cotton and more importantly indigo. Indigo is the colour which has seduced the world for centuries. The dye is extracted from a plant “Indigofera tinctoria” and related species. India grew indigo ever since the Indus Valley civilization, 2000 BC. The pigment was an important part of the cargo on the Caravelles, sailing to the west through the blue waters of the Indian Ocean.
KEY: Fold inside
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5 Flip over
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There is more than one fold in each step
After Step 9 you will have something that looks like this
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Want to make a difference? The craft needs your love... Cut out the above square and follow the numbered folds. Take a picture of your creation and post the picture on Instagram with the #kotticraftgoa and the proceeds from the purchase of your coffee table book would be used for the upliftment of the Goan coconut craft and the communities dependant on it.
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11 9
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Insert above tip in this pocket
3 Flip over
9 Lift flap and crease
Lift flap and crease
A project by:
Fashion Communication Department, Mumbai