Art aficionados, if you still haven't made your way to one of Goa's nicest art spaces, you really are missing out. Nestled in the heart of the charming Latin Quarters in Panjim, Gallery Gitanjali is a spot for some great coffee and good conversation. Add some great artworks to the mix, and gallery Gitanjali is easily one of our favourite haunts.
Panjim, among other things is known for its contemporary art spaces of which Gallery Gitanjali is one infused with a curious combination of contemporary as well as ethnic, tribal art. What began as a quaint gallery space, over the years has evolved into a converging point for culture. Complete with an alternative art studio, a cafe and a conference/workshop venue, Gitanjali hosts several events, talks and workshops through the year — including short courses on art history and film appreciation, book launches, book & poetry readings, art and theatre workshops, art performances, as well as talks on conservation and environmental concerns.
The gallery space is a quintessential mix of art from local as well as international artists. There is a striking display of art, that often in the combination of natural light that spills in through the open ‘Chowk’ area and the artificial light that lights up the artworks, looks surreal. Mohan Naik, Suhas Shilker, Praveen Naik, Vamona Navelcar, Sonia Rodrigues Sabharwhal, Francis D’Souza, Jayashree Patankar, Dietrich Kerky, Shri Shail, Rafael Arya and known Gond & Bhil artists have been displayed here, apart from which the gallery also has a large collection of Scandinavian art from the 50’s to the 90’s including lithographs, serigraphs, linocuts, woodcuts and etchings.
The cafe here has become the classic space for art lovers to come by to browse through books, sit and enjoy a quiet cup of espresso or come with a couple friends and spend the day playing board-games while being surrounded by some ethereal art. The ‘Aangan’ at the ‘Pousada’, where most of the courses are facilitated, encourage methodologies on the art of ‘seeing’ and expressing on canvas and paper, often employing avant-garde techniques.