Clube Harmonia De Margao 4.43

Clube Harmonia de Margao, founded formally as an institution on the 9th of March 1948 was an amalgamation of two social establishments the Teatro Harmonia and the Clube de Margao.

Founded in 1853 at the initiative of Bernardo Francisco da Costa, Teatro Harmonia began its journey from a building belonging to the Barreto Miranda family in Borda. The institution was primarily involved in socio-cultural activities, theatre and plays. The building now converted into a school, stands testimony to its historical past.

The Clube de Margao which was founded in 1915 had its constitution approved in 1917, having for its agenda the promotion of cultural, literary and artistic activities, till 1948 the Club functioned in private homes.

With the majority of its members having migrated outside Goa, the remainder of both the institutions by a deliberation taken on the 9th of March 1948 decided to amalgamate the two existent establishments to form what is today known as “Clube Harmonia de Margao” and the new socio-cultural establishment shifted premises to the Teatro Harmonia in Borda.

In 1946, the Camara Municipal of Margao planned to acquire land for the purpose of constructing a park. This was to be the site where the Clube Harmonia was eventually built. Adv. Francisco Monte de Silva Miranda, having been made aware of this fact approached Agr. Pedro Correia Afonso, the existing president of the Municipality with the proposal for the Club House. The idea was greeted with enthusiasm but a lack of funds stalled its progress.

In 1951, the committee, of which Adv. Francisco Monte de Silva Miranda, was a key member, decided to acquire the land earlier mentioned. The efforts of members like Adv. Antonio Bruto da Costa and Mr. Luis Guilherme Colaco paid off. Part the property was brought by the club and the rest was donated by Mrs. D. Maria Artimisia sa Costa, her Husband Argemiro Fernandes, D. Maria Antonieta Ribeiro e Costa and D. Valdemira Chico e Costa.

A deliberation taken on the 31st of May 1952, on the assurance of attaining the land despite a lack of funds, the Assembly of the club nominated a committee of members; Adv. Francisco Monte de Silva Miranda, Farm. Fugencio Monte da Silva, Jose Furtado, Luis Guilherme Dias Colaco and Salvador Pinto, to look into the sale of the building of Teatro Harmonia for not less than Rs. 20,000/-. The same committee was entrusted with the construction of the new club building and was authorized to acquire a loan of Rs. 15,000/-.

After advertising the sale of the Teatro Harmonia building, two proposals were received, one from Gangadhar Narsingdas Agarwal for Rs. 20,507/- and the other from Jose Francis de Souza for Rs. 15,000/-. On 8th of March, 1954, this edifice belonging to the Barreto Miranda family which was donated by Adelino Santano Barreto Miranda to the Teatro Harmonia was sold to Agarwal for Rs. 25,000/-.

On the 3rd of January 1953, the foundation stone for the present building was laid. Various means were used to arrange funds for the construction. A loan of Mr.15,000/- was taken from Caixa Economica de Goa. Life members were instituted who then contributed some amount. The construction was supervised by Mr. Furgencio Monte da Silva, The Treasurer Mr. Jose Furtado, Members like Albino Colaco and Salvador Pinto.

Architect Mr. Bruno de Souza from Badem designed the club building while Engineer Eleuterio Barreto was in-charge of the civil work. The two gentlemen provided service free of charge.

The then Governor General of Goa Paulo Bernanrd Guedes inaugurated the club on the 29th of January 1955 despite the same being incomplete and was blessed by Vicar General Mons. Francisco da Piedade Rebello.

Subsequent committee completed the ground floor structure and in the 70's the first floor was built. The new extension to the club was added in early 2000.