Stonemason Gajanan Madolkar builds walls that defy time

Joseph Fernandes

joseph@herald-goa.com

ALDONA: At 66, Gajanan Madolkar, a resident of Sainagar in Aldona, has spent his life working with stone and mud, mastering the art of traditional stone wall construction. For decades, he has built, repaired, and restored homes and walls in his village using techniques passed down through generations. As one of the last practitioners of this ancient craft, Gajanan has dedicated his life to preserving a fading tradition that once formed the foundation of Goan homes.

“I started when I was young, around 15 years old. Back then, I worked as a helper, filling mud and assisting others. Over time, I learned enough to do the work on my own,” Gajanan recalls. His work involves a painstaking process of building stone walls without modern cement, using only mud as the bonding agent. He speaks with pride about his craft, “Every wall I build is done with care and precision. First, I clean the area, lay the stones, and then fill the gaps with smaller stones before plastering with mud. If done correctly, the wall will stand strong for years.”

“In the past, this was the only way to build walls—no cement, just mud. We would mix the mud with water and let it sit for three days to strengthen it. These walls have a natural locking system that makes them durable,” he explains. Gajanan’s work is not only functional but also holds aesthetic and historical significance. Some villagers now approach him to restore old walls using these ancient techniques, appreciating their natural beauty and timeless strength.

Despite his skill and the importance of this work, Gajanan worries about the future of traditional stonemasonry. “Young people today aren’t interested in learning this kind of work. I try to train labourers, but they don’t have the same dedication, and most of them are migrants. Local youth prefer other jobs,” he laments. The passing of traditional knowledge to the next generation is a challenge he faces daily. He sees a world where the youth, equipped with technology and opportunities, shy away from the hard labour that once sustained their ancestors.

Growing up in a family of 12, Gajanan didn’t have the opportunity to pursue formal education. “We didn’t have the money for school, so while other kids carried schoolbags, I carried a spade. But I learned to calculate and estimate my work through experience,” he shares. Despite these early hardships, Gajanan has lived a fulfilling life, grounded in simplicity and pride in his work. He feels that modern life, with its conveniences, has distanced the younger generation from the value of hard, honest labour. “We had no luxuries growing up, but we lived simple, happy lives. Today, children have technology and opportunities, but they are not taking advantage of them. Instead of learning or working hard, many spend their time on mobiles, and parents have little control,” he points out.

Reflecting on his craft and his life, Gajanan offers advice to the younger generation: “Don’t rely on your parents’ savings. Work hard, save for your future, and take pride in your work, even if it’s simple. There will always be work in the fields and on the land.” His message is clear—hard work and dedication are timeless values, ones that can build a future as sturdy as the walls he constructs.

For Gajanan, working with stone and mud is not just a job; it’s a way of life, a legacy, and a source of deep fulfilment. Even as the challenges of physical labour take their toll, and as traditional skills fade, he remains hopeful that someone, someday, will carry forward the tradition. “As long as the foundation of a wall is strong, everything else will follow,” he says with a sense of quiet wisdom. His craft, and his commitment to it, will continue to stand strong for as long as the walls he builds.