Ammchem Daaiz (The Heritage Hub) . Goa's Largest Museum of Antiques and Lifestyle.
The Aamchem Daaiz is the folk culture of our ancestors which belongs to all of us. It’s our heritage rooted deeply in our own people. It’s way of our life and existence.
The Aamchem Daaiz organization has been relentlessly working towards preserving our folk culture and our ideal folk traditions. We, firmly believe that it’s our primary obligation to preserve, promote and disseminate along with our heritage and to support folk education, folk trade, folk language, folk literature, folk games, folk songs, folk traditions to endorse the cultural and traditional interests of the people.
With the inspiration and strength of our family members, we started ‘Aamchem Daaiz’ journey way back in 1995. With the grace of Almighty GOD and blessings from my grandfather late Yeso Atma Gawas, grandmother late Salu Yeso Gawas, uncle, late Mahadev Yeso Gawas, my mother late Lakshmi Vishnu Gawas, uncle, late Atmaram Yeso Gawas, late Tukaram Mahadev Gawas, Late Rukmini Atma Gawas, my father Vishnu YesoGawas, uncle Shri. Pundalik Yeso Gawas, Shri. Dattaram Yeso Gawas, my sister Smt. Sarita Gunaji Parab and Smt. Sumati Krishna Gawas and my wife Gayatri Gopinath Gawas who always encouraged and strengthened me to preserve folklore, serve folklore and enjoy folk festivals. With the unconditional support of my sister in laws Smt.Shashikala P. Gawas, Shobha Chandan Gawas and my brother Chandan Krishna Gawas the concept of 'Aamchem Daaiz' was born. My brother Pandurang Vishnu Gawas has always shown faith in me by supporting me fully in my social, cultural, educational, folk arts activities. My second brother Krishna Pundalik Gawas took up the concept of 'Aamchem Daaiz' and came up with the idea of making it a reality. Also, we have been fortunate to receive the continuous support from all my brothers - Vasudev Gawas, Govind Gawas, Chandrakant Gawas, Dnyandeep Gawas, Digambar Gawas and Rudresh Gawas.
It’s purely due to all the support, guidance and applauds from our family members and friends, we could think about expanding our horizon and started contributing actively in the field of folk culture. For the past several years, 'Aamchem Daaiz’ has been exhibiting our traditional culture across all the areas of Goa. We, Gopinath Vishnu Gawas and Chandan Krishna Gawas, are blessed to have such a strong and enduring support system.
During 1996, when our traditional folk festival 'Shigmo' was being played in our village at Keri-Sattari, I along with all my seniors were playing the games of Shigmo Jati, Sokarati, Romata, Satyo, Chor, Phool , Karovli, Dhond, Ghodemmodani. I was so engrossed that I literally forgot about my food and kept on dancing on my own rhythm. On that day, I felt different and so close to everything that was happening around. It was the turning moment for me and never though that I would be devoting my life to preserve and nurture our own heritage. I was just 25 years old then. The seed of 'Aamchem Daaiz' was rooted in my head then.
'Aamchem Daaiz', Folklore Museum has around 3000 folk tools of our elders .These include pottery, copper-brass utensils, glass bottles, wood-bean items, utensils, weapons, knives-coins, radios, cassettes, CDs, mobiles, old phones, watches, old liquor bottles, caravans, copper-brass, sheet metal.These include Velocity - various kinds of fine and large lamps, weights, measures, pipes, nails, cymbals, bowls, bowls, cans, platters, dishes, utensils, Portuguese rags, washes, keys, cameras, mirrors, cups, caps, various agricultural implements etc.
'Aamchem Daaiz', the Folklore Preservation Society, our first folklore museum in Sattari, includes folk art from Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka. My well-wishers from various talukas and villages of Goa have so far shown their belief that 'Aamchem Daaiz' is their own. Without any expectation, they have entrusted their unused household items to the 'Aamchem Daaiz' Trust. Hundreds of my mothers, sisters, brothers and many folk artists who know the importance of folklore preservation have generously donated their old folk tools to the 'Aamchem Daaiz'. This is how everyone has showered their love to Aamchem Daaiz trust.
As my family supported me in establishing ' Aamchem Daaiz' , so did folk artists, friends and well-wishers . It has provided permanent support for the preservation of our folk culture.
Thanks to all of your support and patience, many folk artifacts like the old coal ferry have been preserved in 'AamchemDaaiz'. It is the key to the history of our elders.
Through ‘AamchemDaaiz’, we, will continue to work in the field of folk culture and folk tradition with a full energy focused on enriching and persevering our own heritage.
I sincerely hope that you will continue to support and co-operate for the bright future of 'Aamchem Daaiz'. I hope that you all will come and step into it, understanding 'Our Heritage' ,'AAMCHEM DAAIZ'!
God bless you all…!!