Discovering the richness of silence at Peace Cottage

PANAJI: A 19th century designer who co-founded a movement to revive medieval crafts in England had not so long ago warned that “machines will destroy the soul of man”. Was William Morris right? Kids who have just gotten out of kindergarten are either busy on their smartphones or creating tantrums at home demanding one. But, despite all the noise and peer pressure that surrounds them, children are always in search for some silent space where they can be by themselves, says British-born artist and educator Eleanor Viegas.
Viegas’ firm belief in the above thought led her to build Peace Cottage, her lovely home on the way to Betalbatim beach that has played host to many eager and enthusiastic kids over the last decade and half. Peace cottage is always open to any art lover to come over and experience the serenity of silence. The naked stone walls, arched verandahs, well-groomed lawns and the sound of the waves hitting the shore at a distance provide for an ambience that can help you tap your creative self.
“Thought is energy. Our world is unbalanced because of the amount of exposure given to negativity. We are continuously and unconsciously seeking some space that can help us touch the positivity within us. Peace cottage was built with an idea to tap our creativity and direct it in a positive way,” says Viegas, who voluntarily dedicates two hours every Saturday at her home to a group of kids, teaching them art and values.
“I employ the Ubuntu method of communicating values in a fun way. Besides guiding and mentoring their artistic skills, I also lead them in to relaxation methods like meditation and yoga. Our schools don’t provide for these spaces. There should be a silent room in every school. Children are continuously striving to achieve in this competitive world, and sometimes the stress and pressure might make them feel like failures. A silent room will help concentration; develop self-respect and self-discipline and a feel- good experience. This will in turn help them face challenging life situations,” says the former educator.
Viegas, who is currently holding an exhibition of her multimedia art exhibition titled ‘A peaceful quest’ at Carpe Diem at Majorda, holds a masters degree in textiles and is a student of the sitar. She takes keen interest in all forms of Indian art, especially Indian embroidery. “We can’t let our traditional handicraft skills disappear and therefore we have begun work on the ‘Banyan tree project’ that involves 25-odd local women who have been working together as a team to create a handicraft project. Each participant works on a patch of cloth that will later be stitched together to make up the banyan tree. “Women who have enthusiastically joined hands to be a part of this project are grateful for the opportunity as these skills are not taught in schools. Formerly, you would see women creating beautiful designs and patterns on pillow cases and table cloths – a dying craft with today’s generation,” sighs Viegas, who has had exhibitions on handicrafts in the past.
She was a 20-something young bride when she first landed in Goa from Britain during the monsoon of 1967. Having recently married Nuno Viegas, her art teacher at the Birmingham College of arts, she vividly remembers her first day at her in-laws’ at Carmona. “I can still picture the swaying palm trees against the sky and the enchanting smell of wet mud as I entered my husband’s home. The jet lag and rainy weather had taken a toll on my health, but my mother-in-law went to the garden, picked up a few herbs and made me an ayurvedic drink. And that very day, I fell in love with Goa,” recalls Viegas, who worked as a museum education officer and taught art appreciation in Britain before returning to Goa for good in 1997.
For someone who was keen on maintaining harmony with nature, Viegas says it’s not too late from saving Goa’s landscape. “We need more nature cure and health resorts. People will pay the same amount as they would for regular hotels for a nature experience in the peaceful environs of Goa.”