Manga Artist Akeru Barros Pereira Celebrates Goa’s Heritage Through Ethereal Drawings

In 1990, Akeru Barros Pereira, a talented manga artist from Kyoto, visited her husband’s ancestral village of Cansaulim in Goa. What started as a family trip turned into a life-altering experience for her. With a baby strapped to her back, Akeru explored the quiet village, carrying her camera to capture what enchanted her most—the stunning Goan mansions. Even as she drove to the airport to return to Japan, she couldn’t resist taking pictures of these beautiful homes.

Years went by, and once her children finished high school, her husband, Joao Barros Pereira, encouraged her to revive her artistic passion. Akeru, who had created manga books under the pen name Toto Akeru in her university days, decided to give it another shot. “I remembered those pictures taken all those years ago, and based on them, I began drawing Goan houses,” she shared.

From her apartment in Kyoto, Akeru started to bring her memories to life. Using colored pencils, watercolors, and fountain pens, she meticulously recreated the enchanting elements that define a Goan house. Each drawing reflects the grace of ornate doorways, sloping red-tiled roofs, and decorative railings. The contrast between the architecture of Japan, known for wooden structures, and the stone edifices of Goa deepens her appreciation for both cultures.

Akeru’s artwork doesn’t just capture houses; it weaves a narrative filled with coconut trees and lush greenery, casting an ethereal glow over her creations. Her drawings were so captivating that in 2013, the renowned architect Gerard da Cunha decided to publish a book featuring her work. Titled The Indo-Portuguese House, the book showcases fifty of Akeru’s breathtaking illustrations alongside thoughtful text by da Cunha.

In the preface to this remarkable book, da Cunha highlights the unique influence of Indo-Portuguese architecture on Goan culture. “The Indo-Portuguese house is the richest legacy of Goan society,” he writes. It’s a beautiful blend of European influences and Indian sensibilities, resulting in a distinctive architectural style. Da Cunha has also been a strong supporter of Akeru’s work, purchasing her drawings for display at the Houses of Goa Museum in Torda.

What makes Akeru Barros Pereira stand apart as an artist? Perhaps it’s her outsider’s perspective that allows her to appreciate the nuances of Indo-Portuguese houses like no one else. While seated in her home, surrounded by similarly grand mansions, you can easily grasp her enchantment with this unique architectural style.

She is self-taught, and her journey in manga publishing back in the ’70s and ’80s helped refine her skills, particularly in pen and ink. While these earlier works did not have the colors and styles that define her current art, they laid the foundation for her talents.

Living in Japan, Akeru finds herself surrounded by a vibrant manga culture and aims to introduce diverse cultural settings into her works. She often thinks about how her fantasy manga novels could inspire Japan’s youth to explore cultures beyond the usual Western narratives.

Even though Akeru predominantly draws Goan houses, she does most of her work in Kyoto. Her annual visits to Goa, though charming, are often too hectic for focused artwork. Instead, she captures photographs and draws inspiration from them once she’s home, making the most of the unique Japanese paper she prefers to use. “Japanese calligraphy paper works wonderfully with colored pencils,” she explains, adding that it lends a soft touch to her illustrations, enhancing their ethereal quality.

Over the years, Akeru has created more than 200 drawings of Goan homes. She chooses to depict these houses as vibrant, living entities full of history and family stories, avoiding ruined structures. “I want to capture the hope and promise of these homes standing for generations to come,” she says, reflecting on the emotional resonance of her work.

To sum it all up, Akeru Barros Pereira’s enchanting illustrations of Goan mansions serve as a bridge between two cultures, beautifully celebrating Goa’s rich architectural heritage. Through her art, she invites us to appreciate the stories these houses carry, transcending borders and inviting viewers to experience the magic of Goa, no matter where they are.

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