Goa’s bedrock.
The Konkani term tambdi maati – lit. red clay – has special meaning to Goans. It refers to the red soil of our land derived from the bedrock laterite that spans Goa‘s demesne.
Traditional Goan dwellings – homes, temples and churches – were built with laterite and coated with lime. Post-1961 we saw the retreat of laterite and the dismal spread of Third World concrete.
Laterite wall and windows of nacre, in Arpora
5D Mark III, Zeiss ZE 50 f/2 Makro Planar
House in Thivim
5D Mark III, Zeiss ZE 50 f/2 Makro Planar
Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa, stripped of its lime plaster
5D, 24-105L
Laeterite is Goa. That is why I built my home with exposed Laeterite exterior walls. I have received a lot of compliments
Actually, I wanted to have the entire home of exposed laeterite
as this was how my Grandparents home used to be (except for the
living room).
Since I was in the USA while the house was being built, the
Architect and Contractor took liberties with my instructions, and the interiors and the balcao area were plastered.
I love the warm cozy look of Laeterite !
Vivian-bab, having seen your home I concur that it has the “warm cozy look” that you mention.
We used to play from morning till sundown in ‘tambdi maati’ and by the end of summer vacations I used to invariably get the ‘tambdi maatiche phod’, small water boils and blisters, on both of my legs. After looking at those photographs I so want to be in Goa, right now! 🙂
Thanks, Premanand-bab.