In ode to folklore & nature, Priol family fashions elaborate matoli, draws crowds

Keri: A household at the quiet village of Priol in the Ponda taluka became the cynosure of all eyes this Ganesh Chaturthi. The attraction was an elaborate matoli at the centre of which lay a stunning, life-like representation of the deity, Gavashikann Navdurga, that was fashioned primarily with wild palm leaves.

Although Gavashikann Navdurga is the presiding deity of Tiswadi’s Gancim village and was earlier worshipped as Durgadevi, her idol was moved to Kanyal in Maharashtra’s Vengurla taluka amid religious persecution in Goa during the Portuguese regime. Folklore has it that Gavashikann Navdurga subsequently appeared to devotees at Talekhol’s Parampaiwada donning a saree that was draped in the traditional Gawda style with fabric knotted at the shoulder. Inspired by this story, Datta Naik decided to incorporate a representation of the goddess in his matoli at his home in Gaunthan this year.

“I have been fascinated by the unique saree-draping style of women from the Gawda community, so I used the fronds of coconut palms to recreate an image of the goddess wearing this traditional attire,” Naik told TOI. He and his family used a variety of leaves and flowers to give finishing touches to the image that was hoisted at the centre of a matoli bedecked with at least 320 varieties of wild flowers, fruit, foliage, and locally grown millets and paddy. The one-of-a-kind matoli, which lent the idol of Lord Ganesh placed below it a grandeur of sorts, drew several curious individuals to the Naik home during Chaturthi.

Naik said the painstaking display also evoked praise from several quarters. “Even members of the Madkai temple committee visited our home and said they were impressed by our depiction of Gavashikann Navdurga in the matoli,” he added.

“I was delighted to see such a wonderful display of seasonal elements of our biodiversity so skilfully incorporated in this matoli,” said eco-tourism entrepreneur, Prasad Gawade, who was among the visitors.

The matoli will be available for public viewing till Thursday.