Report: Nancy Mendes, Pics: Edgar Martis
Daijiworld Media Network – Mississauga (GA)
Mississauga, Apr 21: After about a four-month-long wait, Henry mesmerised the Canadian audience at the Henry Nite in Canara Kala Saanz - 2009 at the Living Art Center’s Hammerson hall, the state of the art theatre in Mississauga on Sunday April 19.
It was a stupendous show which rekindled a keen interest and respect for the Konkani language among the North American Mangaloreans. It is the fervent desire of the organisers of the event to keep the flag of Konkani flying in Canada, which was hoisted by the Konkan Kogul Wilfy Rebimbus in 2005.
The event was the first-ever performance in Canada by Henry D’Souza who mesmerized 800 plus of his fans who came from many states of America and different provinces of Canada. Henry D’Souza sang immortal numbers along with other local Konkani singers- Gerry D’Mello, Wilson D’Souza, Oscar Nazareth, Anita Prabhu, Sheila Castelino, Lara Rebello and Louisa Pais with superb music by Joyson D’Souza and his troupe.
The evening commenced with the National anthem of both India and Canada played magnificently by a multi-media presentation.
Flavian Pinto, the organiser and main sponsor of the show introduced Henry D’Souza with a glimpse of his profile. He then handed over the floor to Donald Alva who compered the rest of the show with his impeccable Konkani language.
The maiden appearance of Henry D’Souza started with a heartfelt rendition of his new song “Jai Canada” which was composed exclusively for his Canadian fans. Henry kept the audience in awe throughout the night as he delivered a myriad of his immortal hits such as “Ye Ye Kathrina”, “Ami Dogi Sezara”, “Sylvia”, “Bombay Shehar” and many others.
The excitement of the evening heightened with hilarious comedy skits performed by Flavian Pinto, Fr Henry Alva, Max Mendes, Austin Prabhu, Vijay Dante, Wilson D’Souza, Peter D’Souza and Precilla D’Cunha along with a newly-integrated Goan skit performed by Goan artists Jr Menezes, Sera Barbosa and A C Pereira. The talented actors kept the audience in stitches of laughter providing them with a comic relief throughout the evening.
The glitter and glamour of the show was enhanced by participation of young dancers for the song Bombay Shehar performed by Vinisha and Clarissa D’Souza, Shaina Mendes, Samantha and Savanna Goveas, Oliver Mathias, Sid Pereira and Melden Pereira. The dance was choreographed by Vinisha D’Souza. For the jatkas and matkas of the song Chonevalli Oliver Mathias and Crystal Lobo, choreographed by Zinnia Mathias presented a scintillating performance.
At regular intervals there were short commercial jingles performed live by young artists Oliver Mathias, Crystal Lobo and Shaina Mendes.
There was a surprise vote of congratulations for Ligori and Eliza D’Souza who were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on this very day. They were blessed and gifted with a plaque by Fr Henry Alva. The audience cheered for the Golden Couple on this happy occasion.
Posthumous awards were given to the invaluable contribution by Konkani brethren. Miriam Pinto, in her speech spoke about the contributions of these remarkable individuals. The awards were given to Henry and Rose Castelino, the pioneers who came to Canada four decades ago and helped many new immigrants and initiated series of programmes and networking partnership to keep the community together. Herbert Lobo was praised for his contribution to Konkani and his future vision towards revival of Konkani culture in Canada. Dr Sheela Basrur, the renowned Ontario’s chief medical officer of health and assistant deputy minister of public health was honoured for her dedication and hard work during the SARS outbreak in 2003. The members of the organizing committee Irene Mathias, Nancy Mendes and Vijay Dante respectively presented a plaque to the families of these celebrated figures.
The felicitation ceremony was commenced by Nancy Mendes, inviting prominent Konkani and other dignitaries on stage one of whom was Ted Opitz, the representative of Jason Kenny, minister of citizenship, immigration and multiculturism. Ted Opitz addressed the community and read out the minister’s greeting andthen presented the greetings to Max Mendes, president of Canara World Foundation Inc.
Henry D’Souza was bestowed with the ‘Canara Kala Sanketh’ Award by Max Mendes. Melissa Bhagat, personal advisor to federal minister of citizenship, immigration and multiculturalism who represents the Indo-Christian community in Ontario. Melissa was gifted with a bouquet by Miriam Pinto for her support to Konkani and the community.
Henry D’Souza addressed his fans and said that performing in Canada was an epitome of the fruit of his service to the mother tongue Konkani. He also congratulated and thanked the organizers for making this feat achievable. He praised his fans for coming in such large numbers in a North American country where the denomination of the Konkani people was minuscule compared to Indian and other countries where he performed.
Canara World Foundation initiated a new programme – ‘Excellence in Education Award’ to recognise the achievements in education of the youth. Paul Mathias presided over the proceedings of this ceremony and the award was bagged by Merwyn Rosario in the senior category and Vinisha D’Souza in the intermediate category. The awards were presented by presented by Martin Menezes and Ivan D’Lima respectively.
The event was flawless due to the able management of multi-media presenter Stanley Pereira and Upasana Singh. Backstage management was coordinated by Zinnia Mathias, Nilufer D’Souza while sound and light control was by Michael Serrao.
The jam-packed programme closed with the vote of thanks from Max Mendes and a harmonious rendition of “Ami Dogi Sezara” by Henry D’Souza with an impromptu dance by the organising committee, volunteers, artists and singers.
All in all Henry Nite in Canada was a magnanimous show by any standards, thanks to the star of the evening Henry D’Souza, generous sponsors, multi-media presenters, musicians, artists, dancers, volunteers.
It was a memorable night where the Konkani community in North America, truly came together to share in their art forms, culture and traditions by putting their God-given talents to great use.
www.daijiworld.com and www.canaraworld.com were the media partners of the show.