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Casa
Araujo Alvares stands testimony to 200 years of adaptation of colonialism
to the main traditional structure. A wide stairway leads to a pillared
portico "Balcao", where long cement seats recline in restful
splendour. The
wide, crested doorway leads to a short, wide corridor replete with a
mirrored hat stand and a huge glazed jar. Two such jars adorn the household
and are supposed to have been imported from China with sugar. A
study combined with a general sitting room pays homage to the renowned
advocate Dr. Salvador Eufemiano Araujo Alvares. A bedroom with a canopied
bed, dressers and the usual assorted pieces fill a room which is continued
in mode everywhere. A
wide, low beamed room akin to an attic is led up to by a huge metal
door. This room has gun holes strategically placed in defence against
the dacoity of the Rane clan. A
wide, but small, room houses a beautifully painted altar. Clay angels
guard the carved doorway to it. The
whole household has walls in painted design - modified to accommodate
the need of colour and the age in which the work was done. The
grand hall has a floor of slatted wood, carved furniture and knick knacks
lining the walls. A gilded mirror and carved chandelier vie for place
of pride amongst the paned windows which overlook an open, lush garden. The
stately dining room with its long dining table is flanked by buffets
and walled pantries that store edibles for the table and the cutlery & crockery. An unusual sink fitted in the window still serves admirably
for those who wish to avail of it. A
vast kitchen with huge firewood stoves, wide shelves and a huge store
room, aside, leads to the 'Angonn' which was a very traditional little
square built into the main frame. This is a small square garden which
is surrounded on all four sides by the house. Fruit and vegetable trees
abound here. Flanking
the kitchen, is a quaint bathroom with a niche built into the wall for
firewood to be placed therein to heat the water for bath. This water
was boiled in a huge copper vessel 'Tosta'. The adjoining toilet is
typically goan as it used to be 'Au Naturel'. Raised platforms provided
seats with outlets for the porcine livestock to clear the waste ! An
oddity for sure but very common and very accepted. The
corridor adjoining the kitchen leads to a kitchen, bath, toilet and
living accommodations for the hired help. |
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