Conservation of Churches in Goa

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Old Goa also known as Vehla Goa lies 10 km to the east of Panaji, the capital of the state of Goa. The ancient history of Goa starts from third century BCE. It was ruled by the Satavahana, Bhoja, Chalukyas, Shilaharas, Kadambas, Yadavas, Marathas and finally Portuguese. Portuguese ruled Goa from 1510 to 1961 and in 1961, Goa with Daman and Diu merged with the Indian Union.

During Portuguese time, highly sophisticated architectural style developed which culminated in the Indo-Portuguese Baroque style in the eighteenth century Goa. Many churches were built in Goa, among these the Se Cathedral, Convent and church of St. Francis of Assisi, Chapel of St. Catherine, Basilica of Bom Jesus, St. Cajetan, Church of St. Augustine, Church of the Carmelites, Church of St. John of God, Chapel of St. Anthony, Convent and Church of the Cross of Miracles, St. Anne are important. These buildings with the passage time suffered and lost grandeur. These buildings have been repaired since 1962.

In the present study, an attempt has been made to explore the conservation work of the St. Anne Church which was continued for five years and substantial progress was achieved. It is enumerated here along with the details of some other conservation work carried out on other Churches of Goa. An attempt is made to analyse some important forts and temples needing conservation. The author has tried to make the book well illustrated.

Dr R.C. Agrawal (b. 1947) joined Archaeological Survey of India in 1972. He explored and excavated a number of sites in various parts of the country. He also participated in excavations at Purana Qila, Delhi; Mathura and conducted excavations at Hampi in Karnataka in the year 1979-80. During 1985-90, he explored Buddhist sites in Ladakh region and carried out excavations at Tisseru stupa. In 1992, he identified the Buddhist site of Satdhara for large- scale conservation and excavation in Madhya Pradesh. He initiated the conservation of number of monuments in Madhya Pradesh. He has been closely associated with many academic bodies and has published research papers on art, archaeology, paintings and rock art. He is widely travelled and member of ICOM, ICOMOS and other academic bodies.

In his career, he has served as Director (Monuments), Joint Director- General, Institute of Archaeology, Member Secretary, Indian Council of Historical Research, Pro-Vice Chancellor, National Museum Institute and Professor of Museology, Principal Director, Architecture Heritage Division, INTACH.

Directorate of Archaeology and Archives Government of Goa approached to the Indian National Trust of Art and Culture (INTACH) for undertaking the repairs to Saint Anne Church, Santana, Talaulim. They also forwarded a tentative budget for the same. With this information the church was inspected by Jahnwij Sharma and he gave a report and basic study of the church has been done by Bombay Collaborative, hence the any action requiring for the conservation of the church be initiated by them and INTACH should not involve. Keeping this, L.P.R. Mohanani, DySA (retired), Archaeological Survey of India and Ketak Nachinolkar, Architect examined. During the course of detailed examination of the various components, it was found that the report conceptualised by Bombay collaborative lacked in respect of lithographs, repairs to the alters, art objects, the condition assessment of vaulted roof.

The church and landscaping initiative were not included in report. A revised proposal was generated and estimates were also revised.

Repairs to the church were commenced on 29th May, 2008 by the Honourabe Chief Minister Shri Digambar Kamat and graced by His Grace the Archbishop of Goa and Daman Rev. Filipe Neri Ferrao. The ceremony of the formal beginning of the conservation work was also graced by Dipti Salgaonkar, local M.L.A., Parish Priest and other dignitaries.