Gerry D'Mello
Daijiworld Media Network - Canada

Toronto, Sep 16: Radio Mango, the first-ever Konkani channel that created history in North American hemisphere by broadcasting Konkani programme in 2012 under the slogan of 'Amchi Bhas.. Amchem Sangeeth', has gloriously completed three years.

To mark this unique feat, an award titled 'Radio Mango Award' has been instituted to honour great personalities who have substantially contributed for the cause and promotion of Konkani language, art and culture in Canada.

Eminent Konkani personalities - Flavian Pinto from the Mangalurean community and Jr Menezes from the Goan community have been chosen for the coveted first-ever ‘Radio Mango Award’. This award will be conferred on the recipients during the 3rd anniversary celebrations scheduled to be held on September 18 at the stunningly beautiful Red Rose Convention Centre, Mississauga.

Radio Mango decided to mark its 3rd anniversary in a unique way by acknowledging the contributions of personalities who have contributed immensely to enrich Konkani language, tradition and culture. Naturally, the first names that came to mind are those of Flavian Pinto from among the Mangalurean community, recognised as an undisputed Comedy King of Konkani stage in Canada and that of Jr Menezes, from the Goan community, a known legend in Canadian Konkani stage.

Flavian Pinto - Undisputed Konkani Comedy King in Canada

A native of Mangaluru, Flavian Pinto had a humble childhood. Being spirited and an achiever, he rose to great heights in his personal and professional career, overcoming many odds. At the very young age of 20 he joined Citibank in Dubai and by dint of his hard work he was promoted as vice-president in his early 30s. His job took him to different countries including the Middle East, Singapore and Canada. He retired from Citibank after serving there for 30 years and after retirement took up a career as a Financial Advisor with Sunlife Financials. He is a household name among the many Mangalurean families in Canada. He is highly revered and respected for his honest dealings and sound financial advice.

Since childhood Flavian had great love for Konkani language and culture. He demonstrated this when he went on to bag prizes in many Konkani elocution competitions conducted under the aegis of Konkani Natak Sabha. He was also an ardent fan of the legendary Konkani singer late Wilfy Rebimbus, whom he idolizes and adores. He had the privilege of meeting his idol in Bahrain and went on to become a close confidante and intimate friend of Wilfy. It was Wilfy Rebimbus’s dream to perform for his fans, on the North American soils and his desire was brought to fruition by Flavian. For this performance, he had organised a mega historical show under the banner of Max Mendes group. During the run up for the show, Flavian was introduced to late Herbert Lobo, who was instrumental in encouraging Flavian to act in a comedy skit. It was this skit that helped bring out the hidden talent in him finally paving the way for his emergence as an actor, director and a comedian. He has been instrumental in promoting several actors through his expertise in direction and is popularly known as the ‘Comedy King of Konkans in Canada’.

Over the years Flavian has built a personal rapport with many leading Mangalurean artistes and was responsible for bringing them over to Canada. He is the founder member of Canara World Foundation Inc and through this foundation he has been fulfilling his desire of promoting Konkani culture and heritage. Over the last decade the foundation has put up stupendous shows like Wilfy nite, Claude nite, Henry nite, Melwyn nite, Rebimbus nite and many shows with local artistes including talent search show. Flavian has been the brain behind these shows.

Besides organising and acting in theatrical shows, he has also been the master of ceremony for most traditional programmes such as Roce ceremonies and at Mangalurean weddings in Canada. The acceptance of Flavian by the Canadian Konkani community the as a master of ceremony of great calibre and chivalry, was great morale booster to his self confidence.

He was also a founder director of Canadian Canara Vision Inc which promoted Canara Catholic cemetery for people originating from the Konkan belt of India. Flavian is now working on holding a community gathering at the Cemetery on All Souls Day.

He is a gifted orator, talented actor and creative director. Most importantly he is a simple, down to earth human being serving the community spending his time, energy and expertise. His wife Miriam and children has been the pillar of strength in all his endeavours.

Jr Menezes - Legend of the Canadian Konkani stage

This year marks Raymond Menezes’s (popularly known as Junior Menezes) 25th year debuting as a writer, director and actor in Konkani tiatr ‘Adeus’ in Canada. ‘Adeus’ was re-staged in 2007 on public demand in which Raymond essayed four different roles, including the role of a ‘gaudi’ in which he wore the traditional ‘kashti’. This tiatr was also performed in New Jersey, USA –which went on to create history there. Since then, he has directed over 15 tiatrs. His dedication and commitment to the theatre has won him ‘The Award of Excellence’ from former external affaairs minister Eduardo Faleiro.

Raymond’s theatrical journey began at the tender age of 8, in Quepem, Goa. He wrote his first Konkani tiatr ‘Sunheacho Gunianv’ at the age of 13. His other creative pursuits include organizing prize-winning carnival floats, leading the parish choir and winning acrol singing competitions. Raymond immigrated to Canada in 1988 and was the President of Goan Konkani Troupe for over 15 years. He is also the recipient of Goan Konkani Troupe’s award for direction, comedy, composition and singing. His hugely popular Konkani album ‘Mai Paichi Axea’ was released in 2000, and he wrote and directed the tiatr 'Dukh' in 2012.

A reputed composer, actor and director, Raymond Menezes has performed with Konkani stars like Lorna, Alfred and Rita Rose, and helped launch many actors and directors, thus changing the face of Konkani theatre in Canada, in the last 25 years. His other passions include cooking and art.

Recognising their relentless service to the Konkani language and the society at large, Radio Mango has decided to bestow upon Flavian Pinto and Jr Menezes, the prestigious 'Radio Mango Award – 2015'.

About Radio Mango

Radio Mango is one of its kind of media which has hit the popularity chart among Konkani diaspora in Canada. It is the first ever Konkani programme to hit Canadian airwaves. Targeting the South Asian Diaspora from the Konkan coast, the programme caters to a unique and niche audience. It caters to a target audience, which, because of the Mediterranean influence, is unique in its own way. The average Konkani speaking South Asian has excellent education and has a high purchasing power.

What makes it even more unique is that Radio Mango reaches to a segment of the population which is settled in Canada for a very long time but did not get an occasion to dovetail and share camaraderie among Konkani speaking people.

It’s a great feeling when great idea takes birth and becomes stronger when nurtured with the right kind support and nourishment. It is joy to see that idea grow and takes a definite shape. Yes, Radio Mango has taken its first step towards carving a tiny but significant niche for itself in the world of entertainment. Kudos to the brain and brawn behind Radio Mango, Milena Marques-Zachariah and her co-host Alan Sequeira for their initiative. It is a matter of great pride to see their offspring shouldering the responsibility of taking this project to a greater height than expected through their tireless dedication and hard-work. Through this one and only Konkani Radio broadcast in the Western and Northern hemispheres they have succeeded in bringing joy to countless households - not just here in Canada, but in the USA, India, England, Germany, Dubai, Pakistan and even as far as Australia.

To commemorate the completion of 3 years, 'Radio Mango Mania' programme has been arranged at the stunningly beautiful Red Rose Convention Centre, Mississauga on Friday September 18 at 6.30 pm. A power-packed entertainment programme has been arranged to mark the occasion. For the first time two foremost bands of Canada – ‘The Big Foot Band’ and ‘Memory Lane’ will be seen in action together. The icing on the cake is that there will be surprises and tons of prizes to be won, which will ensure that Konkani rocks all night! Undoubtedly it’s going to be an amazing night which will be remembered by the Konkani diaspora in Canada for a long time to come. More details are also available on their website www.radiomango.ca and the Facebook page: Radio MangoToronto.