Muscat: MCCP Celebrates 'Mangalorean Day -2009'
Report : Clarence Pinto
Pics : Dolly Sequeira
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Muscat, Feb 14: It was absolutely a marvelous exhibition of great Mangalorean cultural extravaganza and nothing short of a complete family entertainment to the Mangaloreans living in Muscat. The Mangalorean Day 2009 presented by the Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish (MCCP – Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi) at the Muscat Sports Club Grounds – Al Wadi Al Kabir was truly a perfect show of harmony among Mangaloreans in Muscat and filled with fun, fun and enjoyable fun. The Mangaloreans gathered at the huge football ground of Muscat Sports Club, simply enjoyed the fun, the whole day.
The Mangalorean Day 2009 organized by the Mangalorean Catholic Center of the Parish (MCCP – Sts Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi) on 13th February 2009 at the Muscat Sports Club grounds was a grand success and each and every one, young or adult, participated in the event was enthralled with the fun filled entertainment and games.
The weather forecast predicted a windy atmosphere during the day and chilling breeze was flowing during the early morning hours. But, as the sun slowly appeared in the horizon behind the Wadi Kabir mountain ranges, a pleasant weather surrounded around Muscat specially at Muscat Sports Club Ground.
“Thayarai anim Surngarai” (Preparation and Decoration) commenced during the early hours of the day under the leadership of Samuel D’Silva and Donald Fernandes. They were supported by Clarence Noronha, Steven Pinto, Michael Goveas, Arun D’Souza, Ronald D’ Souza, Sunil Mascarenhas, Adolphy Monterio, Alex Aranha, Lancy Sequeira and Lancy Lobo. The Registration for the event titled as “Nanvam anim Dhaklo” under the leadership of Sharmila D’ Silva started at 10.00 am. Sharmila was supported by Shanti D Souza, Asha Noronha, Flavia Menezes, Sunitha Nazareth, Jane Castelino, Irene Fernandes, Naveen Mascarenhas, Richard Mascarenhas, Rahul Mascarenhas, Anil and Matilda Rodrigues.
As the Mangalorean community members arrived at the entrance of the venue with a relaxing and certainly festive mood, the children of the community, Alston Moras, Priyanka Mendonca, Sonalika Nazareth, Yvonne Sequeira, Elisha Sequeira, Melina Goveas, Shawn D’Silva, Vitalis Pais, Leon, Dale Dantis, Rayan Fernandes, Ashwitha Aranha greeted them with pan podd udhak and sprinkling rose water.
The participants were divided into eight groups named as Mangalore, Kaikamba, Bramhavar, Kalmady, Pangala, Paladka, Madyanthar and Coondapur. Each member of the different team had been given different colored ribbons to identify their respective groups.
Swagath anim Ugtavann (Welcome and Inauguration) ceremony commenced around 11.45 am with a procession including all participants and core committee members and EC team. Rev. Fr. Albert D’Silva, Mangalorean Priest of Sts. Peter and Paul Church was the guest of honor. Cheryl Fernandes presented welcome dance. Fr. Albert D’Silva offered prayers seeking heavens choicest blessings on the event and then, inaugural ceremony of the function was held. Clarence Pinto –current president of MCCP officially welcomed the gathering.
“Porob anim Festh” – a cultural program commenced with “Pranam Tuka Manglura” a Konkani song sung by Kimberly Dias. Reuben Castelino, Sherwin D’Silva, Kevin Rodrigues, Gisele Fernandes, Rhea Fernandes and Sharon D’Souza presented a charming dance titled – Kirgi Baju. MCCP singers under the leadership of Alpolinaris D Souza presented a scintillating song “Obama”. The music was provided by Dr Christopher Dias, Meval Dantis, Lanston Pinto and Ruben Castelino. The Executive Committee members – Nirmala Goveas, Victoria Soares, Dolly Sequeira, Hilda Fernandes, Arun D Souza, Alex Aranha, Sunil Mascarenhas and Hubert D’Souza presented a dance choreographed by Deepak D’Souza. Traditional Dasara dance – Pili Vesha was presented to enthrall the full audience. There was an exhibition showcasing the scenes of Mangalore villages like tea-shop, street vendors, fisher women etc.
Sith anim Kodi – Sumptuous lunch was prepared by Henry and Gracy Castelino of Barka with Fish Curry, Chutney, Pothrade, Sorpathel, Chicken Curry, Sanna, Kori Rotti and many other traditional delicacies. Everyone enjoyed the Mangalorean delicacies.
During the lunch time MCCP singers – Lanisha Sequeira, Dolly Sequeira, Meval Dantis, Nirmala Goveas and Deepak D Souza presented some of the best Konkani songs.
Afternoon session – Khell anim Masti was skillfully anchored by Suraj Rebello and supported by Dolly Gomes, Adrian Saldhana, Dolphy Frank and Cyprian Misquith. Henry Rodrigues, Sharmila D Silva and Irene Fernades extended assistance to the game organizers. There were many traditional games including Tug of War. Six a side football tournament for Men was held between the groups and was won by the team consisting of Meval Dantis, Kevin Rodrigues, Glen Jerry Baptist, Praful Serrao, Ruben Castelino and Justius. The champion of Mangalorean Day 2009 was Bramhavar and second place was won by Kalmady.
Before the prize distribution ceremony, Arun D’ Souza proposed Vote of Thanks and Apolinaris and team presented a Baila session.
Each and every moment of this day was completely enjoyed by the whole Mangalorean Community. It was a non-stop entertaining program for all the participants.
The event was sponsored by Jerry Mascarenhas, Kirit - Salma Trading, Mr. Alfred & Celine D'souza, Arab Sand Oasis Trading & Contg, Ramniklal B. Kothari, Cletus Tauro & Melanie Tauro, Clifford Sanctis - Hydrotec International LLC, Gavin Martis, Oman Hardware Co., Badr al Samaa Polyclinic, OUA, Fathima Supermarket, Vitalis D Souza, Henry Almeida, Lawrence Cardoza, Addhia Trading & Contracting, Mumtaz Tea, Francis Aranha and Dolphy Frank
The gifts were sponsored by Fotomagic LLC, Jenny Joseph, Al Sharaqi Trading, Winnifred Fernandes - Ijlaal Beauty Parlour, Lawrence Alva - National Training Institute, Prem Colaco - Swiss Air, Areej Vegetable Oils & Derivatives SAOG, Kobe Sizzlers, Radisson SAS, Ruwi Hotel, Majan Continental, Simon D Souza - Assarain Food Products LLC, Al Nada Resort, City Centre. W.J. Towell & Company LLC, Rudolf Rodrigues - Zahara Tours & Travels, Al Safa'a Dairy, Pizza Hut, Sylvester Alva, Barka Poultry Farm - Mr. Nasser Lashko, Pitmaber Alke, Henry Rodrigues, National Detergent Co., Sweets of Oman, Muscat Pharmacy, Fairtrade LLC, Oman Foodstuff Factory - Al Mudhish, Oman Refreshment Co SAOG - Pepsi, Jawahar Pinto, Al Maya International, Al Hashar Pharmacy, RAMNIKLAL KOTHARY, Alex Aranha, Oman Air, Ramee Guestline, Grand Hyat.
The support was also offered by Joachim D Souza, Henry Rodrigues, Lancy Sequeira, Deepak D'souza, Lancy Lobo, Philomena Moras, Meval Dantis, Lanston Pinto, Reuben Castelino, Dr. Christopher Dias, Shalet Noronha, Apolinaris D'souza, Sharmila D'silva, Sunitha Nazareth, Preethi (beautician), Michael Goveas, Stany Menezes, Benedict Pereira, Francis D Souza, Daniel Sequeira, Clifford Castelino, George Andrande, Brinston Noronha, Monica Dantis, Jessy Pereira, John Gonsalves, Alex Aranha, and Anitha Lobo. Zahrat Al Rawdha also extended support to the event.