Media Release

Bengaluru, Nov 16: Kalanjali 2018 - an annual talent show of All Konkani Catholic Associations, was recently organized by Konkani Catholic Association (KON-CAB) in the city this year too, at the main auditorium of Konkan Samudai Bhavan, Kalyan Nagar, here.

The main sponsors of Kalanjali 2018 were Ronald Colaco and family and M/s Honoria Studios, the makers of the new Kannada Film 'Rangamandira' to be released in February 2019.

The programme began on a pious note with a prayer led by Sylvia Rodrigues along with the executive committee of KON-CAB and an intercession prayer to St Anthony, the patron saint of KON-CAB.

KON-CAB president Jhonas D’Souza inaugurated the programme by lighting the lamp, accompanied by FKCA chairman Dr Anand Edward D’Souza, Koncab secretary Nora Menezes, cultural secretary Steven D’Silva, vice president Arun Fernandes and treasurer Sunil D’Cunha.

The event began with a Konkani singing competition. Old and new melodies sung by the contestants of all age groups took the delighted audience to the nostalgic grand era of immortal Konkani singers of the past. Competitions were held in solo and group singing categories for various age groups. The Singing competition was followed by Fancy Dress competition where participants from tiny tots to the grey haired, showcased various costumes, innovative ideas and social messages through their mesmerizing get-ups. This was followed by Dance for above 35 years category wherein, the thirty, forty and fifty performed to Konkani songs which was a mandatory criterion in this age group. Soon after, the much awaited short Konkani Comedy Skit competition got the audience into splits with punch lines which were thoroughly enjoyed by the packed crowd in the auditorium.

Next in line was the much awaited, icing on the cake for all the Kalanjali programmes organized by KON-CAB for the past 23 years - the inter-association dance competitions for various age groups which charged the mood of everyone in the packed auditorium. The young dance talents were on par with some of the talent shows that are now telecast.

Kalanjali has been improving over the years, whereby children, the young and young at heart perform to the awe of everyone in the audience. This year too, performances were a class par excellence and the audience enjoyed every bit of the competitions. The competitions were so nip and tuck that it was a challenge for the esteemed panel of judges to declare the winners.

As every year, this year too, the competitions were judged by well qualified, professional and experienced judges, who were masters in their respective categories.

This year the panel of judges included:
Singing Judges: Norbert Albert, Reynold Joshua and Royston Pinto (of the Konkani Album 'Tuje Khatir' fame)

Fancy Dress and Comedy Skit judges: Diana S, Joyce Mascarenhas and Priscilla Pinto.

Inter association Dance judges: Clarina Serrao (Miss South India Queen 2018), Seema Buthello (model and actress in Konkani and Kannada films and Poojitha Acharya (famed Bhartanatyam artiste)

The chief guest for the programme was Anil Rego, a renowned entrepreneur who is the managing director of Brilliant Printers (the largest press in Karnataka) – a publication press that has won many accolades including 'Best press in India' and 'Printweek awards' to name a few. He is the past president of Kanara Entrepreneurs and has served at the helm of many organizations. Anil Rego was accompanied by the guest of honour, FKCA chairman Dr Anand Edward D’Souza to the dais, along with KON-CAB president Jhonas D’Souza, secretary Nora Menezes. The presidents of all Konkani Associations of Bengaluru were present on the dais for the final leg of the function. KON-CAB president welcomed and honored the chief guest, the Guest of Honour and all the presidents of other Konkani Catholic Associations of Bengaluru,
present on the dais.

The chief guest in his speech lauded the efforts of KON-CAB in arranging this mega event for the past 23 years. He also appreciated the performance of the participants and observed that the quality of programme was getting better year by year. He emphasized on the need to promote talent and specially the love for the vernacular, Konkani to be instilled into our children from a young age.

FKCA chairman Dr Anand Edward D’Souza said that he was touched by the competitions and specially Konkani songs which brought nostalgia and left him teary eyed. He said that such a connect and sense of belonging could be received only from Konkani. He appreciated the efforts of KON-CAB in promoting Konkani and culture in a big way.

The producer of the new Kannada film 'Rangamandira', Amitha Henry D’Souza and executive producer Rony Fernandes who were one of the main sponsors of Kalanjali 2018, were honored by the KON-CAB president on the occasion.

The chief guest, FKCA chairman and presidents of all the associations distributed prizes to the winners of the cultural competitions. About 16 associations from Bengaluru took part in Kalanjali 2018. The auditorium was packed with more than 200 competitors and about 800 people in the audience.

BKCS Koramangala bagged the 'Most Talented Association 2018' trophy by winning the highest number of points. Hosts KON-CAB were runners up, on the points table followed by Sezari, Bommanhalli in third place.

The programme was compered by Neri D’Silva with support from Navya Monteiro, Arun Sequeira and Sladen D’Silva.

KON-CAB decretary, Nora Menezes proposed the vote of thanks and thanked everyone for their support and cooperation, as the curtains came down on the house filled entertainment programme. The wait has begun in anticipation to gather again next year with more participants along with lots of entertainment and extravaganza.

The winners of the various competitions held at Kalanjali 2018 are as follows:

For more information on KON-CAB please log on to: http://www.koncab.com