Victor Hugo Gomes 

 

Conferred on Victor Hugo Gomes in recognition of his prodigious commitment to conserve and showcase Goa's ethnographic heritage for posterity’s benefit and realization. 

A graduate of Fine Arts and former curator of the Christian Art Museum, Victor Hugo Gomes has spent almost half his lifetime hand-picking artifacts which represent Goa’s traditional and agrarian life style.  There are currently some 4000 artifacts of a bygone era on display at the Goa Chitra Museum (founded and curated by Mr. Gomez). The collection includes — among other astonishing collectibles — pottery, farming tools, musical instruments, ancient carts and palanquins.

 Goa Chitra also showcases an organic farm for the cultivation of various vegetables, herbs, spices, sugarcane, and rice — all staples of the area. The fertiliser and pesticides utilised are made from farm waste, using traditional techniques.  And rather ingeniously, human waste from the living quarters is also converted to bio-gas, and together with solar power, provides the energy needs of the farm.

 Goa Chitra is a monumental testament to one man’s quest to preserve Goa’s anachronous agrarian technology and lifestyle.

Verodiano Laureates