Laxman Pai: Taking Goa to the World

‘ONE CAN TAKE a Goan out of Goa but it’s impossible to take Goa out of a Goan.’ Laxman Pai’s personality resonates with this quote. Though born in Goa, Pai spent most of his life outside this tiny state. yet this renowned artist’s work reflects a lot of Goa in virtually every painting.

- Naguesh Rao Sardessai

Pai was born on 21st January 1926, in Margao, Goa. Growing up in a city surrounded with vibrant cultural ethos, it was quite natural for him to gravitate towards the field of fine arts. He moved to Mumbai to pursue his education in art at the much acclaimed Sir J. J. School of Art; where he was awarded the prestigious Mayo medal.

Ever hungry for knowledge and education, Laxman Pai went to Paris, the world capital of art, for further studies and subsequently worked there for a decade before finally returning to his motherland.

A natural rebel, a staunch nationalist and a self respecting Indian, he came to Goa – then under Portuguese rule – in the midst of his studies in Mumbai, influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s speeches, to contribute to the freedom struggle. He remained firm and steadfast despite receiving gruesome whacks on his palms, administered by thick wooden rod called ‘Palmatri’ which left his hands left numb for several days after.

Returning back to Mumbai, he completed his studies and went on to teach at the Sir J. J. School of Art before walking out of the hallowed institution in protest against his unqualified demotion for allegedly hobnobbing with the members of Progressive Artists Group.

Absolutely confident of his capabilities and extreme self righteousness, he packed his bags and sailed to Paris with his friend sculptor Sadanand Bakre. Assisted by Indian artists in Paris such as S. H. Raza, F. N. Souza and Akbar Padamsee, Pai managed to get a foothold in Paris while he worked hard to earn fame and respectability.

Deeply committed to Indian culture and philosophy, Pai, being a dedicated practitioner of yoga, remained firm and managed to isolate himself from unwanted western influence in the field of art and remained selectively receptive.