TAKING A PEEK AT THE PAST... by Frederick Noronha

IF YOU CAN'T GO back in a time-machine, then just take a peek at
what Goa was half a century ago. Images from yesterday have been
assembled, and these give a rare insight into another era.

Simple villagers, stately colonial buildings, an unhurried quay,
a pro-colonial procession,    ... pictures from the past. These
have been put together in an exhibition currently underway at the
Alliance Francaise de Goa, at Lake View Colony in Miramar.

It was the idea of Jean-Claude Veyrat, the head of the French
cultural body. In this venture he was supported by volunteers of
the Goa Association of Photographers, GAP, which is a recently-
formed body working to promote photography in the state. And
primarily by the many individuals who lent their photographs
generously so that others could have a look.

"In the beginning we thought it wouldn't work out," admits
Suzette Fernandes, the young Goan pedagogy coordinator and
administrative assistant at the Alliance.  

Time was one factor. Trust was another.

Afterall, wouldn't people be skeptical to loan out their prized
photographs of the past? For some time, this seemed to be so; but
not for long.

"Initially, we knew of people who, in turn, knew others who had
photographs of the past. But some didn't want to get involved (in
borrowing the priceless and unreplaceable pics). We began by
copying photos from the Xavier Centre of Historical Research. We
were afraid that the exhibition would be only copies of copies,"
says Fernandes.

But, at the end of the day, the collection was quite neat. And
the story told is interesting. One wishes this collection is
given a new lease of life, by perhaps printing it in book form.
Provided, of course, the owners of the photographs give their
permission.

Alongside are some unique photographs from the collection of Luis
da Costa Souza. These, it is learnt, were bought from Tony
Saldanha.  --FN

NOTE: Alliance Francaise can be contacted at alliafra@goa1.dot.net.in