Daijiworld Media Network – Bicholim
Bicholim, Sep 20: Youth from Mayem-Vaiginim have created an elaborate traditional Matoli using 292 varieties of flowers and forest fruits at the residence of Ranganath Gaonkar as part of the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.
The centrepiece of the Matoli is a depiction of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj seated on a horse, crafted using corn husk.
Gaonkar said the traditional art of Matoli-making is gradually disappearing, with only a few youths and elders continuing the practice. Many households now prepare Matoli merely as a ritual, using a limited variety of commonly available forest fruits, mango leaves and other plants.
Preparations for the Matoli began well in advance, with the group spending several weekends travelling across Goa to collect flowers, plants and forest produce. They visited Netravali, Sanguem, Quepem, Canacona, Sattari, Pernem, Dodamarg and other areas. Whenever they came across unfamiliar forest fruits, they consulted local elders before collecting them.
Gaonkar said Matoli has traditionally been an important part of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Goa and stressed the need to preserve the knowledge and craftsmanship associated with it. He attributed the decline of the tradition partly to the disappearance of forest plants and the gradual loss of traditional knowledge.
He also noted that some forest fruits used in Matoli are poisonous but are believed to possess medicinal properties.
The group participates every year in the Matoli competition organised by the Department of Art and Culture. Last year, they depicted Swami Samarth, while the previous year they created a depiction of Lord Bodgeshwar.
Gaonkar urged younger generations to take an interest in Matoli-making and help preserve the traditional art.
He was assisted by Mitesh Gaonkar, Babi Gaonkar, Subhash Gaonkar, Saksham Chodankar, Prashant Gaonkar, Mohandas Gaonkar, Priyatama Kalangutkar, Pritisha Govekar, Anvi Govekar, Anaya Govekar, Rajesh Gauns, Priyesh Naik, Gauresh Gaonkar and Nagesh Nagvekar.