Daijiworld Media Network - Doha
Pics by Sunil Crasto
Doha, Jan 29: The much-awaited 'Mangalorean Day', a complete package of music, dance, food and fun galore organized by Mangalore Cricket Club (MCC), was celebrated by the MCC members and the Mangalurean community on Friday, January 27 at the new MES School CBSE-I Auditorium.
The main highlight of the event was the Gulf Baila Naach Qatar prelims in which Naveen D’Souza and Vijayi D'Souza were chosen as the best Baila couple of Qatar. They will represent Qatar in the Gulf Baila Naach finals to be held in Qatar on April 28.
The Mangalorean Day stage was set up in a special way bringing back all the traditional items on the stage, traditional matov background making it look so natural stage. The lower part of the stage was decored as real vegetable garden with all traditional items displayed bringing Mangalorean culture alive.
The evening began with an opening welcome note from master of ceremony Sandeep Noronha. The audience were then welcomed with a song presented by the MCC members from the composition of Remy D’Souza. Tiny tots Gia Noronha, Rowina Lobo, Siyona Monthero, Michelle Lewis, Deona Gomes, Kaeton Lewis, Ethan D’Souza, Gladwin Furtado, Bryan Monthero and Shawn D’Sa won the hearts of all with their wonderful performance dancing to the song 'Devan Rochlolo Saunsar' beautifully choreographed by Wendy Lewis.
President Prakash Noronha welcomed the gathering and appreciated the efforts put by all committee members as well as members by contributing in cultural programme, stage arrangements, food stalls, participation in competitions and for supporting in successfully hosting this event. He truly appreciated all for their presence in large numbers which met the club mission 'Yeya ek Kutamb bhandhya'. He also informed of the forthcoming medical awareness programme, 25 years celebration programme with 'Gulf Baila Naach' contest with all GCC participation to be held in Doha Qatar on April 28 and requested the same support from all members and invited new Mangalureans arrived in Qatar to join the MCC family as members.
This was followed by a beautiful solo song 'Angelina' from Patrick D’Souza. The most awaited program 'Gulf Baila Naach'– Qatar Prelims kicked off with the promo song of Gulf Baila Naach. The jury for Baila Naach were Vinod Sequeira, Bollywood Dance Choreographer from V Dynamite’s Dance Crew- Dubai (Founder of Ocean kids Dance Institute Dubai and India) and Annette Venkat , MCC member long time resident in Qatar, trained Kathak dancer, choreographed several folk dances, dance teacher and educator with a special interest in art and dancing were the judges of the contest. Judges were called to the stage and greeted with a rose and Cultural Secretary handed over the judging sheets to them. The 5 contestants in this contest were Greg D’ Cunha/ Dr. Reema Aletta Fernandes, Rupesh Stiven Pais/Violet Clamy Pais, Naveen D’Souza/Vijayi D’Souza, Shown Fernandes/Merwin Rita Mendonsa and Jeevan Rayan Ferrao/Sunitha D’Souza. Audience witnessed some mesmerizing dance performances on great Baila beat songs from all 5 contestants giving a tough competition to each other and a tough time to the judges too.
Gulf Voice of Managalore GVOM -5 First Runner-up in both male and female category Carol D’Souza and Clement Fernandes were honoured with a shawl, memento and flower bouquet by Chief Guest Fr. Anand Castelino, Asst Parish Priest and Spiritual Director of Konkani Community of Rosary Church, Guest of Honour Fr. Andrew D’Souza, Parish Priest from Pakshigere parish on visit to Doha along with President Prakash Noronha and Vice President Ronald Saldanha. Carol D’Souza and Clement Fernandes then shared a few words of appreciation to MCC and members for the encouragement, love and support showered on them. Chief Guest Fr. Anand and Guest of Honour Fr. Andrew D’Souza also spoke on the occasion congratulating MCC on this occasion of bringing all Mangaloreans together to have a funfilled day and keeping Mangalorean culture alive far away from home.
Vanessa Shingare, daughter of Deena and Late Bernard Shingare was felicitated for her achievements in Academics and Sports field in 2016. All the participants of Monthi Fest cultural program held in September 2016 were recognized with a token of appreciation memento for their participation in cultural program by the dignitaries on the stage. Mishal Lobo, past joint Cultural Secretary conducted this session.
GVOM-5 Runners-up Carol D’Souza rendered a solo song 'Muje Kaaliz Mogar Podla' from Late Wilfy Rebimbus album while Clement Fernandes rendered solo song 'Guitarache Thaar' from Maand Sobhan album in their melodious voices. It was followed by a scintillating dance from teenagers Ashlyn Monteiro, Clarina Pinto and Larissa Tauro on the song 'Ye Nari Ye' by Remo Fernandes
GVOM 3 Qatar Finalist, Composer and singer Remy D’Souza then rendered a beautiful solo song 'Lovelina' composed by Lloyd Rego. Multi talented Clement Fernandes along with Anil Coutinho and George Menezes presented a short skit 'Shipry Melo' and entertained the crowd. New rising talent Jeevan Rayan Ferrao sang a beautiful composition of Kevin Misquith 'Kedna Kedna' .
MCC then felicitated MCC Ladies Throwball team players who are reigning Champions under the captaincy of Indira Kunder with their successive win over the past 3 years. MCC Advisors Alfred Sequeira and Norbert Corda presented them with a gift. Ryan Renjar, Joint Secretary conducted this session.
This was followed by another interesting Voviyo/Verse (?????? ???? ??????) competition which was held for the first time to add flavor to Mangalorean Day and to uplift the traditional rich culture of Mangaluru. There were four groups of participants in this competition who sang different meaningful voviyo/verse of different categories and presented them very well with good preparation and giving tough competiton. This contest was judged by Fr Andrew D’Souza, past MCC president Richard D’Souza and senior MCC member who is a good actor Alwyn Goveas were the judges for this contest who were greeted with a rose. General secretary Riana Pinto handed over the judging sheets to them.
Throughout the evening, variety of home cooked Mangalurean food was on sale at the food stalls. The homemade Mangalurean delicacies such as goli baje, charmuri, dal vaada, pakodas, sandwiches, sheera, vorn, appams, sannas, panpale, pathalyo, sheviyo, mandaas, cutlets, chicken sukka, chicken roce curry, chicken green masala, chicken ghee roast, mutton curry etc which were specially prepared by generous members along with hot tea/juice were on sale and on great demand. It was a total fun filled food fiesta and the crowd truly enjoyed variety delicious food.
Vote of thanks was then proposed by cultural secretary Prabha Rego. President Prakash Noronha and vice-president Ronald Saldanha were invited to the stage along with Advisors Sunil D’Silva and Jessy Mendonca to honour the winners of voviyo/verse competition. Richard D’Souza, one of the judges gave his feedback on this innovative competition and declared Emilda Pinto and group as the winners. Emilda Pinto was supported by Jane Pinto, Treesa Goveas, Dorothy Noronha, Errol Tauro and Merwyn D’Souza. The other teams Hema Fernandes and Group, Savious Crasta and Group and Suraj Noronha and Group were all given a participation gift.
Prakash Noronha and Ronald Saldanha then honoured the Baila dance judges with a memento. Judges then handed over the results to the President. Judges gave their feedback mentioning the competition was tough and all were winners with their superb performances. All contestants were called to the stage and MC Sandeep Noronha declared the results Vijayi D’Souza/Naveen D’Souza as the winners of this contest and will represent Qatar in the finals while Greg D’Cunha/Dr Reema Fernandes were the first runner-up. All other participants were presented with a memento each. Lucky draw for a mobile phone was conducted and Wendy Lewis emerged as the lucky winner. Finally the day’s event came to an end with a game of bingo conducted by Alphonse D’Silva and Shameen Lewis.
MC Sandeep Noronha was at his best and did an excellent job compering the programme. Sound and lights were provided by Naveen Merwin D’Souza.
Mangalore Cricket Club thanked Christen Denzil Lobo, head of volunteers and his entire group of volunteers, all the generous community members who prepared variety dishes, the choreographers, all participants, Godfrey and Effey Noronha, William Lobo and Shalini Monthero who decorated the beautiful stage and all those who came together as one big family and contributed towards the run-away success of this 'Mangalorean Day'. It was indeed a Mangalurean family day thoroughly enjoyed by all along with delicious food, fun, and cultural fiesta.