Report: Prashant D’Souza
Pics: Ritesh Pinto
Dubai, Feb 4: The long wait of the Konkani community of Jebel Ali, Dubai came to an end on the evening of Thursday, February 1 with the staging of mega show 'Konkan Dabazo - 2018', a fun-filled Konkani entertainment programme consisting of dances, comedy skits and live music. It was organized by Jebel Ali Assisi Konkani Community (JAKC), at the parish hall of St Francis of Assisi Church, Jebel Ali, UAE.
The programme kicked off with the introduction by Nisha Sequeira followed by a prayer dance by children of JAKC. President of JAKC, Roydon Roche welcomed the gathering and spoke about the various activities of JAKC with the key objective of promoting Konkani language and culture. He thanked the audience for gathering in large number and invited them to enjoy the evening. This was followed by the traditional lighting of the lamp by Fr Maxim Cardoza, assistant parish priest and spiritual director of JAKC, Michelle Passanha, chairperson of the parish council, the main sponsor of the event Ivan Fernandes and co-sponsors Michael D’Souza and Clement Lobo.
Fr Reinhold Sahner, parish priest addressed the gathering and highlighted the various contributions by JAKC and how much he was delighted to be a part of the community. He blessed the event and wished success. Spiritual director of JAKC Fr Maxim in his message mentioned about promoting our Konkani language, culture and the hidden talents and stressed upon safeguarding it for our future generation. He wished success for the event. The event sponsors were felicitated by JAKC.
JAKC also honoured and felicitated young cricketer Namita D’Souza, daughter of Mark and Janet D’Souza for her achievements in sports and for being selected for UAE women’s cricket team. She was honoured with a memento by parish priest Fr Reinhold.
The cultural programme began with the theme song ‘Dabazo’ sung by JAKC members which laid a perfect foundation to the event. Well-known MC Vernon D’Souza from Dubai kept the show going with his unique style of compering and good sense of humor by rightly introducing every artiste, song and jokes including Konkani quiz to the audience. Vernon was supported by our own MC, Nisha Sequeira.
Live band swayed the audience to their melodious music by playing popular Konkani songs with the band lineup consisting of Patrick Pereira on the lead guitar, Deepak Machado on the keyboard, Chris Menezes on bass guitar, Fred Roshan on drums. Joyson D’Souza coordinated the band and also accompanied on the drums.
Comedy skits were enacted by well-known actors of Dubai Joel, Joylene, Royston (Konkan Tharam, Dubai) and JAKC artists. The audience laughter resonated the fully occupied hall with the various skits. This also proved one thing that the best of comedy could be the simplest one. Skits were fully supported with background music by Frankith.
Dance performance by ‘Ocean Kids’ from Dubai and from JAKC artistes (adults and children) which added color and glamour to the melody of songs were hugely appreciated. The dances of the JAKC members were choreographed by Azeem Khan.
Broadway Event Management provided the sounds and lighting for the event.
Roshan Chacko proposed the vote of thanks.
JAKC members along with the live band set the tempo with the hugely popular non-stop Mando and Baila to the much delight of the crowd and there was no looking back as the mood just got better and better. The evening concluded with boisterous young and old dancing to their hearts content with beautiful memories to cherish for long. The event came to an end with the family dinner.
JAKC thanked everyone involved in making this event a grand success.