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‘Susegad’ brings Goa’s contemporary art and anxieties to Pune

A sculpture by Santosh Morajkar, who passed away a week ago at the age of 50, is also on display.

3 min readPuneUpdated: Jan 17, 2026 10:46 PM IST

Goa, Susegad exhibition, Monalisa Kalagram, Koregaon Park, Subodh Kerkar,

As part of the exhibition, Subodh Kerkar will deliver a talk titled Glimpses of Goa’s History at the venue on January 18 at 6 pm. (Express photo)

In one of the world’s most visited destinations, some of its richest stories remain quietly told — by artists who document Goa’s life, landscape and anxieties through sculpture, painting and performance.

That artistic vocabulary has now travelled to Pune through Susegad, an exhibition that opened on January 16 and will be on view till February 1 at Monalisa Kalagram in Koregaon Park.

“Goa has 15–20 very good artists who are comparable to any artist in the country or the world. They are very contemporary artists and make avant-garde statements. But there are not many galleries, so their art does not get exposure,” says artist Subodh Kerkar, who gave up a medical profession to pursue art in 1990.

Kerkar counts himself fortunate to have made a global mark with his conceptual works, land art and performance art. The Museum of Goa (MOG), of which he is the founding director, is among the largest privately owned contemporary art spaces in the country and has emerged as a key platform for Goan artists.

Curated by Kerkar along with Lisa Pingale of Monalisa Kalagram, the exhibition features works by several prominent Goan artists. Viraj Naik presents hybrid forms that blur the boundaries between human and animal. Pradeep Naik’s landscapes, while rooted in place, edge towards abstraction. A sculpture by Santosh Morajkar, who passed away a week ago at the age of 50, is also on display. His wife, Chaitali Morajkar — originally from Pune — showcases works on pots inspired by traditional kudnem cooking vessels. Harshada Kerkar, a charcoal artist, presents powerful works, while figurative artist Shripad Gurav brings scenes from a quintessentially Goan world. Vitesh Naik offers a layered figurative perspective of the state.

As part of the exhibition, Subodh Kerkar will deliver a talk titled Glimpses of Goa’s History at the venue on January 18 at 6 pm.

“Goa scenes, like the fishermen, the ocean, the toddy tappers and the palm trees, all find their place in the works of Goan artists. There are expressions of a changing Goa, including the almost-cancerous growth of the construction industry. This exhibition is like bringing a little Goa to Pune,” says Kerkar.

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Kerkar has also contributed works of his own to the show, including a painting and two sculptures made from old wooden boats. He collects boats that are no longer used by fishermen and reincarnates them as sculptural forms.

Pingale says the response on the opening day reflected Pune’s curiosity about Goan artists who have developed a distinct identity. “They are trying to say something rather than being pretty pictures. I feel that Subodh is largely responsible for this. His works are very rooted in Goan history and culture,” she says.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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