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New Goa State Museum will have galleries to showcase Mario de Miranda’s work: CM

The museum will serve as a “fitting tribute to his remarkable contribution in the field of art and culture,” Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant

Published on: Mar 25, 2025, 23:04:07 IST
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PANAJI: The Goa government on Tuesday announced the setting up of a museum to honour the craft of famed cartoonist and illustrator late Mario de Miranda attached to the Goa State Museum currently located in the Old Secretariat building.

Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant (@DrPramodPSawant/X)
Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant (@DrPramodPSawant/X)

The museum will serve as a “fitting tribute to his remarkable contribution in the field of art and culture,” Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said, responding to a calling attention motion moved during the ongoing budget session of the Goa assembly.

“This government agrees that a state of art government museum is required to be set up in honour of late Mario de Miranda depicting his art work which will be a fitting tribute to his remarkable contribution in the field of art and culture. The Department of Museum is already in the process of establishing a state of art museum at the Old Secretariat Building (Adil Shah Palace),” Sawant said.

“Few galleries in this Museum shall be dedicated solely to Late Mario de Miranda. Government has already set up a committee to establish the museum at Old Secretariat Building,” Sawant added.

Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemão said Miranda, who has become synonymous with Goa and was integrated well with respect to several subjects, deserved a “permanent space” in Goa

He exhibited his work in 22 countries. He was a regular in many newspapers and many magazines.

“This honour was long overdue, but I believe that the least that we can do is to give him a permanent space. To ensure his legacy, his work has to be passed to the future generations for learning and acquiring knowledge,” Alemão said.

Opposition legislator Venzy Viegas called on the government to introduce a ‘training centre’ alongside the museum “where this art can be promoted, and taught to more children.”

The government has set up a 14-member committee headed by the Secretary (Museums) and consisting of architects, historians, writers, historians, and museum curators.

Miranda, who passed away in 2011 was honoured with the Padma Shri, the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Vibhushan, the last of which was awarded posthumously in 2012.

  • Gerard de Souza
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Gerard de Souza

    Gerard de Souza is a Special Correspondent based in Goa and has been reporting on and about issues concerning the state and the wider western coast of India for over 18 years. His wide range of stories covers politics, crime, environment and tourism-related concerns emerging from India’s smallest state. Born and brought up in Goa, he has a deep understanding of the former Portuguese enclave’s evolution from a laidback collection of idyllic villages that first drew flower power generation of counter culture enthusiasts to its shores to one that has become synonymous in Indian popular culture with an aspirational holiday, seeing the best (and worst) that holidayers have to offer. He also keenly follows criminal trials. Most notably, he covered the trial surrounding the killing of Scarlett Keeling, a British teenager found dead on Anjuna beach, and that of Danielle McLaughlin similarly killed in south Goa, among others. He authored the book ‘Crimes of Passion: When Desire Turns Deadly,’ chronicling cases of romance turning to rage and murder. A graduate of Goa University, he learnt the trade on the job and has experience on both the reporting and editorial sides of the profession. When not sniffing around for a worthy headline, he likes to spend time outdoors to help ensure his heart is always in the right place.Read More