By Arun Noronha - Manchester, UK

Manchester, Sep 12: KCA UK Manchester celebrated Monthi Fest and their association's 20th anniversary with grandeur and fanfare.

The Konkani Cultural Association (KCA) UK is the leading Mangalorean Konkani Association in the United Kingdom, which celebrated its 20th anniversary along with Monthi Fest. The celebration was doubly special since it marked the anniversary of 20 successful years of togetherness. KCA started as an association of a few families but has grown substantially since then and has now become a household name among Mangalorean Konkani speaking people in the UK.

The celebration was held in Wythenshawe Forum Leisure Hall on September 7 for over 600 Mangalorean Konkani speakers from across the United Kingdom. It was a celebration that combined spirituality and entertainment.

The celebration began outside the hall with the veneration of the statue of the infant Mary by children, adults, and celebrants, that is, the main guest of the event,  Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese, India, Rt Rev John Arnold, Bishop of Salford Diocese, UK, Fr Lawrence Devin Noronha from Rome.

To celebrate Mother Mary's birthday, all the children brought flowers to offer her. Diana Monis spoke about the significance of the service and introduced the celebrants. Dr Gerald Issac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese, led the veneration prayers. The faithful sang 'Sakkad Sanghatha Melya' and 'Morieak Hogolxieam', and the children, with utmost devotion, presented flowers to Mother Mary while the harmonious hymns were played by Brass Band Preston under the direction of Anil D'Souza. After the veneration service, Mother Mary's statue was carried in procession into the hall for Holy Mass.

The holy mass was celebrated by Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi, India and Rt Rev John Arnold, Bishop of Salford, UK and Fr. Lawrence Noronha.

As Fr Lawrence read the Word of God, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi delivered the homily emphasizing four values that Pope Francis advocates in his book Amoris Laetitia, addressing the pastoral care of families – Presence of God, Love, Prayer, & witness to faith, explaining each value so beautifully that it touched both kids and adults equally.

The first reading was read by James Ravi Pinto, and the second by Jyothi Mendonca. Wilson Coelho read the responsorial psalm.

KCA teenagers and Stany Rodrigues read the prayers of the faithful.

At the end of the holy mass, Stany Rodrigues thanked all three celebrants of the mass and everyone else involved in preparing for the mass, including the stage set-up, choir, etc. The entire stage and hall decoration was done by Riana Lobo, Rony Lobo and team.

The holy mass had a beautiful choir prepared and presented by Stan Mendonca, voices training and keyboard by Rohan Fernandes, keyboard by Mukesh Kanan, and guitar by Clifton Fernandes.

Bishop Gerald blessed the Novem (new harvest), which was later distributed to everyone through milk and cake. Following the Novem distribution, the celebration continued with a KCA group song composed by Stan Mendonca, sung by all current and past committee members and a welcome candle dance was performed by KCA ladies and Bharatanatyam performed by the KCA girls, both choreographed by Sonal Mendonca.

After the welcome, the celebration progressed towards a formal segment, which began with a formal ceremony of honouring and felicitation, with the chief guest and guest of honour on the dais. The event was also graced by Navendu Mishra (Labour MP for Stockport) and Vimal Choksi (Councillor)

All the KCA presidents of the last 20 years were felicitated for their excellent leadership to shape the association - Ronald Lobo, James Ravi Pinto, Santhosh Pinto, Stany Rodrigues, Stan Mendonca, Marina Monis and Sujith Rodrigues.

All other Mangalorean Konkani Associations current serving presidents were felicitated for their service to the community – Godfrey Sequeira from MUKA, Rohan Fernandes from NEKA, Samson D’Cunha, representative of SKA.

Mukesh Kannan, who has been part of KCA since its inception in providing music, was recognised for contributing to the community.

The chief guest and guest of honour were also felicitated. Udupi Bishop felicitated the Salford Bishop with the special souvenir he specifically bought from Mangalore.

President Sujith Rodrigues formally welcomed all the dignitaries and all the guests who had gathered to venerate Mother Marys feast and thanked everyone for their generous contribution, sponsorship and support for the feast.

Both Bishops and parliament members addressed the gathering, congratulating KCA UK on completing 20 years and applauding for building a noteworthy community experience for everyone and growing spiritually.

The KCA women's throwball team was called on to the dais and they were recognised for being champions of the Throwball Tournament 2024 organised hosted by MUKA Nottingham for the second successive year.

Joseph Sequeira and Anthony Mary did the compering for the entire felicitation programme.

A traditional delicious Mangalorean vegetarian meal was prepared and served with several dishes, including Sanna, Kuvalo Kadi, Sange, Karathe, Moog, Sane, Karamb, Rice, Daal, Lanche, and Vorn. Many KCA UK families were involved in preparing this delicious meal at their homes. The whole catering service was well managed by Ronald Lobo, Jyothi Mendonca, Martin Saldanha, Dominic Kumar, Vincent Rodrigues. Kenny Dsa, Joel, Cyril Pinto, Benson Moras , Santhosh John , Ashwan Dsouza, Rachit Patel , Mario Cornelio and Simson D'Souza assisted with catering management. Milton Dsouza, Nishan Mendonca, Vincent Dias ensured safe recycling.

The entertainment segment after lunch featured performances by KCA Junior Kids, Senior Kids (both choreographed by Sonal Mendonca), KCA Adult dance choreographed by Stephi Martis, and NEKA group dance choreographed by Rohan Fernandes, Christelle Furtado, and Sonal Mendonca. The afternoon concluded with a guided line dance led by Sinol Mendonca, Reshal, Richelle Rodrigues, and Shanelle Mendonca.

Entertainment continued with comedy skits performed by Ronald Lobo, Vinod Barboza, Praveen Mendonca, Lainet Pinto, and Ajith D’Souza. Ajith D’Souza also entertained the guests with songs during the lunch break. The guests enjoyed the Konkani Qawwali performed by Praveen Mendonca, Stan Mendonca, Wilson Coelho, Ravi Pinto, Joshua Dsouza, Jeston Sequeira, Stany Rodrigues, and Mukesh Kanan. The event had a raffle draw and winners went away with fabulous cash prizes which was conducted by Ravi Pinto and Santhosh Pinto.

The cultural event was compered by Joseph Sequeira and Vinod Barboza.

Wilson Coelho, Vinjoy Rego, and Ajith Rego handled the event's photography and videography, while Vinjoy Rego and Ajith Rego also managed the LED screen display, presentation, and technical aspects.

Santhosh Pinto gave the vote of thanks, expressing heartfelt gratitude and thanking everyone who directly or indirectly supported making the Monthi Fest and 20th Anniversary celebration was a grand success.

KCA UK thanked all the sponsors and all those who supported and contributed in whichever way possible for the event, seeking Mother Mary's abundant blessings on them always. KCA UK is also expressed gratitde to the Forum management, JoJo sound strangers & Digital screen set up Pixelworld.

Varieties of soft drinks and water for kids and adults was sponsored by Arun Noronha, Liza Barboza, Benson Moras and Rony Pasanna. The event concluded with tea and the biscuits which were sponsored by Flavy Lobo, and a live band with lively baila session, with musicians Mukesh Kannan, Clifton Fernandes, Rajesh Mascarenhas, and Navya Mukesh leading the performance.