Daijiworld Media Network – Doha
Doha, Oct 24: Noted Konkani litterateur Cyril G Sequeira, popularly known as CGS Taccode, was conferred with the prestigious MCA Kala Puraskar-2017, given by Mangalore Cultural Association (MCA) Qatar, during the MCA annual celebrations at the Majestic Regency Halls on October 20.
CGS Taccode was presented with shawl, fruits and flowers, memento and cash reward of Rs 1 lac. CGS was escorted to the stage by Shalini Mendonca and Jason Quadros. Merlyn D’Souza read out the citation while chief guest of the evening Fr Anand Castelino, spiritual director of Doha Konkani Speaking Community, bestowed the prestigious award on CGS. Delivering his acknowledgement speech, CGS was at his humorous best while recalling his childhood days. His ‘punch-n-pun-filled’ speech was given a standing ovation.
Fr Anand Castelino in his address congratulated MCA for stepping into the decennial year and requested them to keep up the good work of promoting Konkani language and culture and reaching to the needy.
The Norbert Pereira musical extravaganza was the key highlight of the MCA annual day celebrations. It was an evening that provided total, weekend entertainment to the Konkani buffs of Qatar as Norbert Pereira served the sumptuous meal of music, laced with scintillating dances by D4Dance Troupe and enriched by rib-tickling comedy by trio Lancy, Stephen and Jaison flown in from Kuwait for the event.
The eventful evening began with the informal welcome and keynote address by immediate-past president of MCA Arthur Pais which was followed by singing of the association anthem by the MCA members. With this the stage was handed over to one of the finest, eloquent, witty and lively comperes of the GCC region Donald Correa, known fondly as Dony Correa.
Norbert Pereira has a special place in the Konkani music world. His compositions, first of them came at the tender age of 19, have always been path-breaking ones. It was all evident at the musical nite as he along with his troupe presented a superlative performance right from the first number of the evening ‘Kallzanth Ullas’. While his solo numbers such as ‘Tuka Deklea Fara’, ‘Senorita’, ‘Fotkiro Saunsar’ were among the best received songs of the evening, his two duets ‘Haanv Tuzo Tum Muzem’ and ‘Muzo Tuzo Mog’ with one of the finest female voices of Konkani Ivy D’Souza were truly feast to the ears of the audience.
Ivy D’Souza needs no introduction. She has been around in Konkani music world for some time now and has carved a niche for herself in the hearts of the Konkani music lovers. It was all evident as why she is so popular as her every song of the evening, be it solo such as ‘Muzo Pathi’, ‘Kogule’ or duets with Norbert were appreciated with thunderous applause by the audience.
Doha’s pride and runners-up at the last edition of GVOM sonorous Clement Fernandes and melody queen Carol D’Souza won hearts with their duet Laila-Majunu and solos ‘Tujhe Sobit Dolle’ and ‘Sopnnantlo Chalo’ respectively.
Doha’s two more singing sensations Eva Wilma Pinto and Alponse D’Silva were at their melodious best, enthralling every soul that was witness to the musical extravaganza of the evening. Norbert’s wife Nancy Pereira’s rendition of foot-tapping number ‘Rock n Roll’ was another memorable presentation of the evening.
Konkani’s young yet numero uno musician Roshan Angelore led the musicians. While Roshan had been flown in from Mangalore along with keyboard player Sanjay Rodrigues, Doha’s local musicians Manoj Antony, Suhail Karuppamveettil and Tuvan Rawlins Assan accompanied them in scoring the background music.
D4Dance, Doha’s very own desi dance troupe entertained the audience with their elegant dance performances. But it was the dance performance of first Gulf Baila Dance winning couple Naveen D’Souza and Vijaya D’Souza that set the stage ablaze.
The rib-tickling and side-splitting comedy by Kuwait Trio Lancy, Stephen and Jaison provided fresh dose of humour and sent the audience in peals of laughter. It was ‘Man of the Match’ performance from them that had audience demanding an encore.
Earlier the MCA president Veena Rebimbus Pais and vice-president Clement Saldanha escorted chief guest of the evening Fr Anand, advisory committee members Felix Lobo, Jerry Pinto and Wilfred Fernandes to the dais.
The platinum Sponsors -RAMCO Trading & Commercial Bank of Qatar, Gold Sponsors – Qatar Meta Coats, Doha Bank & M. Pallonji Qatar, Bronze sponsors – Gulf Lights, Westin and Radisson Blue and the Media Partners – Daijiworld were honoured. The singers, musicians, dancers, and comedians were presented with the mementoes on the occasion.
Veena Rebimbus Pais welcomed the gathering while Clement Saldanha proposed vote of thanks. The stage programme was compered by Jovita D’Souza and Sandeep Noronha. The LED display art works was designed by Eddie Sequeira, while the 'Maan Patr' for CGS was written by Gladson Almeida.