Learn to turn Goa’s red soil into art

Goa’s red soil has always been special and by turning it into art, Sagar Naik Mule has made it even more special besides, of course, famous through the revival of Kaavi art.

By being invited to be part of the parade on Kartavya Path in New Delhi, and being selected to participate in the craft demonstration and awareness programme during the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Sagar has taken Goa’s dying Kaavi art to the rest of the world

Now, to share with fellow Goans more about Kaavi art, Sagar will be conducting a one-day workshop at Carpe Diem Art Centre, Majorda, South Goa, on 1^st September, where he will talk about the art and teach the process of creating it.

In a chat with Gomantak Times Digital, Sagar explained how this art form has been dying and he has been trying to revive it through his skill. He said Kaavi art is a traditional Goan art form and the word Kaav means red soil, and it is this very element that serves as the foundation for the intricate and often spiritually significant designs created through Kaavi.

“Traditionally, Kaavi art adorned the walls of temples and homes, a testament to its cultural and religious significance. However, as times changed, so did the prevalence of this art, with its practice dwindling to the point of near extinction. I tried to use an innovative approach to create and transform this traditional form into a contemporary art practice which would also resonate with modern audiences,” Sagar said.

Taking the art from walls to canvases, and from etchings to paint, Sagar has made Kaavi accessible and relevant, preserving its essence while infusing it with new life.

He added, “Back in the time, people would not like to eat food cooked on firewood, but now things have changed. They will travel any distance to just eat that food and would even pay for it. It is the same with Kaavi art.”

It was a long, tough and excruciating journey for the artist. Despite this, Sagar’s passion for art has never wavered. His focus remains on preserving the cultural and traditional values of his community through his work.

“It’s nice to know that museums are taking such initiatives to bring Kaavi art to the world. People want to know more about this art form and I want to teach it to them. I teach them step-by-step process of Kaavi art, which is how they’ll take it to the world,” he said.

With this workshop, Sagar aims to not only teach the technical aspects of Kaavi art but also to impart a deeper understanding of its cultural significance. It is a celebration of the beauty of red soil, of tradition meeting innovation, and of the enduring power of art to connect us to our roots.

For registrations or more details contact: 9822580152