Pics: Meryick D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (MD)

Mangalore, Jul 27: Presenting a hundred musical nites is considered a great feat in the field of Konkani music. Only one artiste has achieved this feat - the very famous, the late ‘Konkan Kogull’ Wilfy Rebimbus.

Now, another renowned singer in the field of Konkani music, Melwyn Peris, is on the verge of completing 100 musical nites.

To mark this remarkable achievement, a DVD containing the best 12 songs has been planned, which will be released during the Centenary Nite scheduled to take place on November 23 this year at St Agnes Special School Grounds, Bendore.

On Sunday July 27, Sangeeth Ghar Mangalore organized the 'Muhurtham' of 'Melwyn Peris Centenary Nite Series' and DVD shooting at Sandesha, Nantoor here.

Angelore church parish priest Fr Mathew Vas blessed the occasion and wished all success to Melwyn Peris in his endeavours.

Mangalore South MLA J R Lobo inaugurated the ceremony by lighting a torch and handed it over to the World Konkani Centre president Basti Vaman Shenoy, who in turn passed handed over it to to Melwyn Peris.

Karnataka Konkani Sahithya Academy president Roy Castelino sounded the clap for the first scene of the DVD shooting while Melwyn Peris played the guitar for the scene.

J R Lobo in his presidential address, he said, "Reaching 100th musical nite so soon is a great achievement in the life of a musician. Melwyn faced lots of problems before achieving recognition. If society does not support the artiste, he will not achieve success in his field. If a person uses his talent to come up in life, we must support him. I am sure Melwyn Peris will go on to scale greater heights."

Basti Vaman Shenoy said, "There are lots of people working in the Konkani field, like Melwyn Peris. Through Konkani songs, he is supporting as well as promoting Konkani language."

Roy Castelino said that reaching 100th musical nite in just 23 years was an amazing achievement. "Whenever Melwyn gets time from his office work, he starts creating songs and plans albums," he said.

Melwyn Peris said, "When I staged my first musical nite, I never thought I would reach the milestone of 100th nite. I thank God for His blessings."

He also proposed the vote of thanks.

Jerry Rasquinha compered the show and welcomed the guests at the beginning.

Melwyn Peris' contribution to Konkani music includes 94 nites, 26 volumes of songs and 17 volumes of devotional songs. His 100th nite or the Centenary Nite is scheduled to take place on November 23, 2014 at St Agnes Special School grounds, Bendur, Mangalore. On August 3, Melwyn Peris and his troupe will present the 96th nite in Delhi. All the remaining nites in the run up to the completion of ‘Centenary’ will be presented in co-ordination with ICYM Central Committee, Mangalore, in different places, in aid of education to the needy.

Titus Noronha, Joel Pereira, Leslie Rego, Praveen Tauro, relatives and friends of Melwyn Peris were also present at the occasion.