- A Coffee Table Book of 362 pages that is a project of Vision TVM – Empowering the Konkani-Speaking Community
Mangaluru: A Coffee Table Book of 362 pages, titled ‘Temples of Goa’, which is a well-researched book providing details on 50 temples of Goa was released by T V Mohandas Pai, Chairman, Aarin Capital Partners, Bengaluru.
The book is a part of Vision TVM – Empowering the Konkani-Speaking Community.
The book release ceremony was held at Shree Venkataramana Temple, Car Street, Mangaluruon Wednesday, 19 August 2015.ShriBastiVamanShenoy, President, World Konkani Centre, welcomed the gathering.
In his address, T V Mohandas Pai spoke about the need to be aware of one’s cultural roots, traditions and practices, which included speaking one’s mother tongue. He added that this book aims to provide the reader with a broad view of the original religious ethos of Goa, the homeland of the Konkani speaking people and the Saraswats in particular. The temples, abodes of tranquility and divinity, are storehouses of history and culture as well. That 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 is a testimony to the Konkanis’ desire, amidst all odds, to preserve their ancient culture, he pointed out.
Somehow Goa has always been portrayed as a land of sun, sand and beaches in modern times. While this cannot be denied, it is the original spiritual and cultural aspects as well as the history of the land that needs focus and this book seeks to highlight those, he informed the gathering.
He spoke about the need to preserveand propagate Konkani literature and culture, develop human resources and providetraining as well as educational support for the youth, with a view to preserve the Konkani ethos for future generations. The book has a Foreword by him.
The well-illustrated book, of 17 inches width and 12 inches height, 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. BharathiShevgoor is the researcher and chief editor. The photographs by Mangaluru’s ace 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 a finesse that is admirable.
The information about the temples is backed by impeccable research and presented in an easy-to-read format.
Dr PandurangPhaldesai, cultural historian and folklorist of Goa, who has contributed towards the editing and also written the Introduction to the book, was present on the occasion. Ramadas Kamath U, Sr. Vice President, Infosys, the spirit behind the conceptualization of the project, the trustees of the temple M Padmanabh Pai, K Jayraj Pai and Adige Balakrishna Pai were the Guests of Honour. Smita Shenoy compered the programme.
