PM praising my work is like Nat’l Award win: Goan artist

Panaji: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Mann Ki Baat address on Sunday, introduced the nation to 31-year-old

Goan

artist Sagar Naik Mule, praising his

efforts

to

revive

the centuries-old

Kaavi

art form.

Ponda-based Mule said that the Prime Minister appreciating his work on Mann Ki Baat platform was as good as receiving a National Award, not only for himself but for Goa too.

“I got to know about the efforts of Sagar Mule ji of Goa, who is involved in saving centuries

old

‘Kaavi’ painting from extinction. The Kaavi form of painting covers the ancient history of India in itself. Actually, ‘Kaava’ means red soil. In ancient times, red clay was used in this art. During the Portuguese rule in Goa, people who migrated from there introduced the people of other states to this wonderful painting form,” Modi said.

“With the passage of time this painting was on the verge of extinction. But Sagar Mule ji has infused a new lease of life to this art. His efforts are also getting a lot of appreciation. Friends, a small effort, even a small step, can make a huge contribution in the preservation of our rich arts,” the Prime Minister said in his address.

Mule said he woke up on Sunday, after Modi’s address, to a flood of calls from family, friends and the media.

“Doordarshan had taken comments from me beforehand, but I was not sure I would be mentioned in Mann Ki Baat. I was still in bed on Sunday morning when I received a call from Akashvani, Pune, for my interview. At first I thought it was a fraudulent call. I received a pleasant surprise when I learnt I was mentioned by the Prime Minister. It is as though Goa and I won a National Award,” Mule said.

After graduating from Goa College of Art, Mule completed his masters from Sarojini School of Fine Arts, Hyderabad.

“I do not just copy and repeat the Kaavi motifs that were done by artists

centuries

ago. I felt that would serve no purpose. So I use the motifs of Kaavi and fit them into my contemporary works. We need to adapt the style into contemporary

art

for it to be revived,” Mule said. He added that he began researching Kaavi patterns and was determined to revive them after he was reprimanded in 2020 by an architect for not being well-versed with the Goan art form.

The name Kaavi is derived from the local name for the maroon red pigment from laterite.

“If the people of our country are determined, the passion to adorn, beautify and save our ancient arts across the country can take the form of a mass movement,” the Prime Minister said on Mann Ki Baat.


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