Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)
Additional Pics by Mummy Digital Studio
Udupi, Mar 4: Canara Catholic Konkani masters of ceremonies' (MCs) meet was held on Saturday, March 3 in the city. Fr Valerian Mendonca, chancellor Udupi diocese and Fr Denis D’Sa, PRO Udupi diocese inaugurated the event.
Addressing the gathering, Fr Valerian Mendonca said, "Masters of ceremonies are great leaders. An entire event is shaped under the leadership of these anchors. Emcees of Udupi and Mangaluru diocese are giving importance to prayer service and also to the age-old traditions of our community. They have speaking skills but in some situations MCs may talk irrelevant things."
Fr Valerian also urged the emcees to preserve and promote traditions. "Today our events have shifted from home premises to marriage halls. In such a scenario, it is very difficult for MCs to follow our traditions. But wherever it is possible, they have to be followed. Please speak according to the demands of the programme."
Fr Denis D'Sa said, "Speaking on the stage is a unique talent. MCs are facilitators not dictators. You are the soul of the function. You can make the programme or break the programme. Do not panic if something goes wrong during the programme. Handle the situation coolly. Be accurate, audible and clear to the audience.
"Don’t get carried away during the programme, stay cool as on any other day. Don’t steal the show, because it is someone else’s day. You are only the supporting actor and not the hero," he added.
Leslie Rego, renowned master of ceremonies from Mangaluru delivered a talk on 'How to become a maker of ceremony'. He said, "We are not there to beg. We are only showcasing our talent given by God. I am a student in this field and will remain a student. Every profession has qualification but for master of ceremony there is no qualification. Everyone who stands and talks in front of a mic is not an MC. We do not know our traditions clearly. We have learnt to talk in front of the mic but have no knowledge about our age-old culture and traditions. If we are unaware about this we need to learn.
"In olden days, people used to come together during festivals. But today we get together only during programmes. MC has the responsibility to begin and end the programme on time," he added.
Vincent Alva, popular MC of Udupi talked about 'selling the art of talking'. "We need to sell the art of talking but not ourselves. We get money by selling our art. We have to emulate and not imitate. Nowadays there is no dignity to this trade. If the party wants you they are ready to pay any amount. Sell your speech, not your personality. You should not be there if you don't like it. Don’t do things which don't suit you," he advised.
Many problems and criticism faced by MCs in their profession were discussed in the panel discussion.
Roshan Crasta presented the report of the past meeting. Melwin Pernal compered the programme. Roshan Sequeira, Steevan Colaco and emcees of Udupi and Mangaluru region took part in the programme.