Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)
Mangaluru, Aug 19: A unique coffee table book 'Temples of Goa: A Spiritual Odyssey’ (a photo feature by Annu Mangaluru) was released by T V Mohandas Pai, chairman of Manipal Global Education at Rajangan of Shree Venkataramana Temple, Car Street here on Wednesday August 19.
The 362-page coffee table book, a project of Vision TVM and brought out by Konkani Language and Cultural Foundation, Shaktinagar, is a well-researched book providing details on 50 temples of Goa.
Addressing the gathering, T V Mohandas Pai said, "I am happy that after three years of hard work, the book is released. Vishwa Konkani Kendra (World Konkani Centre) with the support of Basti Vaman Shenoy had decided to always preserve the culture and history of the Konkani-speaking community. There is a great danger - the Konkani culture may be lost in a span of 50 years. This book has history and pictures of temples which will be useful for future generation to come."
"Konkani language is spoken by a number of people of different religions. We have to be proud of our language. Konkani language works as the binding force, we have to speak Konkani on a daily basis. Every Konkani speaking person should own the 'Temples of Goa' book," he added
Ramdas Kamath U, executive vice-president, Infosys, M Padmanabh Pai, K Jayraj Pai and Adige Balakrishna Pai Rajangan of Shree Venktaraman Temple, Pradeep G Pai, managing director, Hangyo Ice Creams Pvt Ltd and others were present on the occasion.
Basti Vaman Shenoy, president Vishwa Konkani Kendra welcomed the guests. Smitha Shenoy compered the programme.
About the book
The book aims to provide the reader with a broad view of the history of the religious ethos of Goa, the homeland of the Konkani-speaking people and the Gowd Saraswat Brahmins in particular. The book chronicles the ways in which they survived the brutality unleashed on them during the Portuguese inquisition by relocating and bravely faced the various attempts to subdue their culture and language. It provides information on their migration, reinstallation ofdeities by secretly spiriting them in the dark of the night in boats across the river to Ponda, and the way in which they settled down and prospered in the places that they settled, which is atestimony to the Gowd Saraswat Brahmins’ desire, amidst all odds, to preserve their deities, religious practices and language. The book has a chapter each on temple architecture and Kulavis or descendents of the original families that started the temple.
Somehow Goa has always been portrayed as a land of sun, sand and beaches in modern times.
While this cannot be denied, there are several unique historical and cultural aspects of the land that provide enriching details to an interested reader and this book seeks to highlight those. The book has a foreword by T V Mohandas Pai. The well-illustrated book contains details of 50 temples under the headings of history, legend, architecture, deities, Kulavis, festivals and many other cultural practices. The introductory chapters on Goan history, economy, religion and culture are presented in an easy-to-read style with visuals that complement the matter effectively.
Bharathi Shevgoor is the researcher and chief editor. The photographs by professional photographer Annu, Mangaluru are a prominent attraction and lend an aesthetic appeal to the tastefully designed book. The spiritual ambience of these places of worship has been portrayed with finesse. The information about the temples is backed by impeccable research and presented in an easy- to-read format. Dr Pandurang Phaldesai, cultural historian and folklorist of Goa, has edited the textual matter and also written the Introduction to the book.
Basti Vaman Shenoy, president, World Konkani Centre has written the preface.