Goa: Chari community keeps alive traditional woodwork art

Times of India | 2 months ago | 14-04-2022 | 01:57 am

Keri: For ages, Goa’s temples have displayed stunning woodwork by local craftsmen mainly from the Chari community. Members of this community inherit the art and skills from generation to generation. Aesthetic pieces of this woodwork can be seen in temples across the state, and some of this exquisite woodwork is on display only during annual or seasonal temple festivals and fairs. On the auspicious day of the Hindu new year Gudi Padwa, the Chari artisans visit temples and cut a piece of wood from the trunk of a mango tree which is then worshipped as ‘Holi’. By using their chisels and hammers, they skilfully carve out the image of ‘Giroba’. The work begins in the morning and the image is ready by evening. Sanskruti Naik, an artist from Mencure, Bicholim who visited Mopa to witness the event said, “The image of Giroba is then worshipped through the year by locals as a wish-fulfilling deity. Devotees also come here from different areas along the Goa-Maharashtra border.” The art and craft associated with wood carving is also seen in the roofing, furniture and artistic panels in temples across Goa. The Chari community — also known as ‘mest’ — carry out their work manually. The carved motifs on the wooden panels of temples reflect the skill, talent and variety of their craftsmanship. For their contribution in many areas of Goa, the temple committees and the comunidade institutions once allotted Chari families agricultural fields for tilling. This has helped them thrive efficiently in villages and hence continue providing their services to temples. Among the twelve elders who are locally known as ‘Barazan’, the representatives of Chari community are also recognised during the annual celebration throughout Goa. Prakash Chari from Sal, Bicholim, told TOI, “Once, the members of our community were involved in fairs and festivals of villages, and their contribution was duly honoured. In some villages, despite the involvement in different jobs and assignments, we have maintained the tradition of working during the annual celebration with dedication and devotion.”

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