Photo Credits: ANCHOR-BASILICA
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DETERIORATING STRUCTURE
* Latrine structure currently existing at Old Goa is deteriorating
* ASI in Delhi requested to consider the use of laterite packs
* Laterite pack is a technique used to restore Dhamnar caves in Bhopal
* A central team will visit the site and then take a call on the technique
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We have to come together and decide to plaster it because if we don’t it will slowly deteriorate
- M Taher, ASI chief archaeologist
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PANAJI: The possibility of Goa’s most famous church, the Basilica of Bom Jesus getting a makeover may seem a reality with the chief archaeologist of the Archaeological Society of India (ASI) Goa circle writing to the centre to consider the structure for plastering.
Speaking as part of the audience at a lecture for the 2nd Lusofonia Festival, Goa last week, ASI chief archaeologist, M Taher said the latrine structure currently existing was deteriorating, suggesting that he had personally written to ASI to undertake a project called laterite pack.
“Speaking for myself, as having worked in Goa since 2003 to 2009 I’ve been trying to convince authorities that the core is deteriorating and needs to be plastered. We have to come together and decide to plaster it because if we don’t it will slowly deteriorate,” he said.
He was speaking at a lecture presented by Architect Joaquim R Santos from the ARTIS Institute of History of Art, University of Lisbon, Portugal who was presenting his upcoming paper titled, “Between the Independence and the Integration: Heritage Plans for Old Goa.”
During his talk, Santos spoke of the 19th century when Baltazar Castro, a Portuguese restorer known to de plaster monuments and worked for the Portuguese ideologies.
“He wanted to show the monuments were more ancient than they really were. He removed all the plaster and changed the roof. He had done similar works in Portugal and came here and did the same, to give them a Medieval shape. From a mannerist, it became more of an ancient church,” said Santos.
This means the Basilica had a coat of lime plaster till the 1950s, following which the laterite stone underneath was left open to the severe weather conditions in the state.
Santos agreed the structure of the church was deteriorating with each passing year and was in need of care but added that people may not agree having been used to the stone façade.
“The stone becomes fragile because its laterite. The plaster was meant to protect it. When it was removed, it began disintegrating. Each year that passes, the monument becomes worse. People now see it and are used to it, it’s difficult to change an idea that is already in their head,” said Santos.
Taher however said now the need to protect the church was understood and that he had written to the ASI in Delhi to consider the use of laterite packs, a technique he perfected while restoring the Dhamnar caves in Bhopal.
“There has been a lot of percolation of water with salts. The question is whether we treat the laterite and then plaster or just plaster? The plan is that we could have it replaced with laterite pack. I have given the proposal to ASI. The committee will visit and then decide,” said Taher.
Laterite packs used in the restoration of the Dhamnar caves in Bhopal were powdered laterite nodules mixed with brick surkhi powder and lime mortar. The mixture was then applied to the cracks and gaps and also on the weathered surfaces to stabilise and strengthen the entire structure.
