NAGUESH RAO SARDESSAI
Goa’s rich artistic heritage found a distinguished place at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, during the traditional ‘At Home’ reception hosted by President Droupadi Murmu on August 15, 2026, to mark India’s 80th
Independence Day.
The reception, traditionally held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Republic Day and Independence Day, showcases India’s diverse cultural and
artistic traditions.
This year, the cultural presentation gave special prominence to the living traditions of Chhattisgarh, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Among the traditional art forms representing Goa were Chitari art and Kaavi art, brought to the national platform through the dedicated work of two Goan artists – Narayan Chitari and Kranti Chari.
The artists were invited to participate in an artist workshop and cultural exchange programme organised by the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS), Bhopal, which regularly provides a platform for traditional artists and indigenous art practices from across India.
As part of this year’s programme, artists from the four participating states worked on traditional and heritage art forms, creating works that reflected the distinctive cultural identity of their respective regions.
Chitari, an expert practitioner of the traditional Chitari art of Goa, created works that brought the characteristic visual language and heritage of this art form to the fore. His participation served not merely as an artistic demonstration but also as an important representation of Goa’s traditional knowledge
and craftsmanship.
Equally significant was the contribution of Chari, a practitioner of Kaavi art, Goa’s distinctive traditional art form known for its intricate decorative vocabulary and deep association with the region’s architectural and cultural heritage. Her work demonstrated how an age-old artistic tradition can continue to remain relevant and visually compelling in
contemporary times.
The two artists were assisted by Pranish Chitari and Abhilasha Ghosh, who contributed to the workshop and the presentation of these traditional art practices.
The works created by Chitari and Chari were subsequently displayed prominently at Rashtrapati Bhavan alongside other heritage objects representing Goa, including the Kunbi saree, as well as traditional creations from the other participating states.
