Team Goemkarponn
Margao: The centenary year of renowned Goan artist and painter Laxman Pai Fondekar will be commemorated with a special programme organised by Madganvcho Awaaz on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at Imperial Hall, Dr Rajendra Prasad Stadium, Margao, beginning at 4.30 pm.
Announcing the event, Madganvcho Awaaz and youth leader Prabhav Naik said the celebration aims to honour the legacy, vision and enduring influence of one of Goa’s most respected cultural figures. He described the centenary as a moment to reflect on a life dedicated to art, creativity and social commitment.
Born in Margao, Laxman Pai Fondekar rose to prominence as one of Goa’s most influential modern artists. He was widely acclaimed for blending Indian classical traditions, folk elements, mythology and contemporary expression into a distinctive visual style that earned him recognition at national and international levels.
Naik said Fondekar’s contribution to art and culture was acknowledged with some of India’s highest civilian honours, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Goa’s top civilian award, the Gomant Vibhushan, cementing his place in the cultural history of Goa and the country.
The centenary celebration will be held in the presence of Fondekar’s son Akash Pai and family members. Several of his prominent students, including Prof Mahesh Vengurlekar, Nirupa Naik, Maendra Alvares, Shridhar Kamat Bambolkar and Sanjay Harmalkar, are also expected to attend, reflecting the strong guru–shishya tradition associated with the master artist.
Organisers said the programme has been conceived as more than a commemorative gathering. It seeks to revisit Fondekar’s lifelong commitment to artistic discipline, cultural rootedness and excellence, values that continue to inspire generations of artists and students.
Madganvcho Awaaz has appealed to citizens, artists, students and art lovers to participate in the centenary celebration and collectively honour a distinguished son of Goa who also played an active role in the Goa Liberation Movement, and whose life and work continue to inspire beyond time and borders.
