Mechanical crib at Agassaim church-2010 

A laboured piece of art work

The northern side entrance chapel that was built before 1541, of the church of St. Lawrence at Agassaim, its architecture of the time gives evidence as it is stand today. Now it has hundreds of visitors daily since the Christmas day from all over Goa to view a laboured piece of art work (a mechanical crib) which is installed there in. A wonderful and outstanding work took about one and half month to set-up. It is spread out approximately 100 square meters of area in three sections.

The left side section; it depicts the western landscape with snow and ice, mechanized water fall running in the lake, a beautiful dancing Santa Claus playing trumpet on the sledge with a reindeer. The striking snowman harks back to the western flavours of the Christmas Season. The most attractive item in this section is the Christmas tree with snow falling with number of presents displayed around, which the visitor’s children trying to take away.

The middle section; representing traditional set-up with a Goan traditional inn (cowshed) with clay utensils, in the inn displays a fine aesthetic work of art as Mary lifts the bed-sheet of baby Jesus who’s cradle is swaying, while Joseph providing light to Mother and the Child symbolizing the ‘light of the world’ is born, on top of the inn an Angel presenting flowers with moving wings.  The landscaping is scenic with Goan style paddy fields; there are eleven mechanically fitted sheep made out of cotton. Four shepherds lifting sheep, the next one lifting wood and another one adoring the new born King is a pleasing work. A moving king is seen on the way closer to the bright star, the second King is far behind the city wall with moving arm fingering the star, while the third moving King is far in the desolate tract.

In front of the palace gate, a strong guard with sword keeping an eye on the palace, there are four palaces and five other small buildings. Above in the sky it is a joyful and spectacular scene of the entire sky gives a real work of art as there are ten jubilant Angels are dancing with drums, trumpets and messages in the midst of 43 stars in the heaven announcing the birth of the Son of God on earth.

The right side section is of the desert, displaying two camels, a palace. Also it displays a part of earth with Goa map giving following message to the viewers; “save our mother earth, save trees, stop mining, keep Goa

green, save rivers from pollution, stop casinos and avoid plastic”. Many other Christmas scenes are printed on the vinyl used to cover the area. 

The crib is mechanically designed by Hillary Pereira, landscaping designed by Xavier Gracias, all the images designed and carved by George Gonsalves, the others who helped in setting up the crib are Steven Vaz, Andrew Lopes, Francis Gonsalves, Rocky Menezes, Bento Vales, Frederic Fernandes, Floyd Dias do Rosario, Soccoro Gonsalves, Leo Menezes, Benedicto Fernandes, Victor Gracias and Esperdiao Dias do Rosario; MLA Francisco Silveira and his family sponsored the crib. The Government of Goa should encourage people and promote this kind of art work during the Christmas Season for tourism attractions at different tourist places in Goa. The mechanical time is from 6:00pm to 11:00pm, the crib will remain open for public viewing until January 26, 2011.

By Rosario F. Rodrigues