Media Release
London, Sep 22: SKA London (South Kanara Association) is all set to present ‘Konkani Sambhram’, a unique event as part of its 40th anniversary celebrations. ‘Band Charitra’, the international ‘Desi Rock Band’ from Mangaluru, along with other well-known artistes, is all set to entertain the UK audience.
This event will be held on October 13 at the Beck Theatre, Grange Road, Hayes, London.
SKA London was formed in 1979 in order to provide a forum for social gathering for people from the South Kanara districts, whose mother tongue is Konkani. The association currently has approximately 150 families as active members who live in the London area. The Association organises various events during the year such as the annual Christmas Dinner and Dance, Valentine Dinner and Dance, Easter Celebration, two summer picnics, Sports Day, SKA Voice of London and Naach London Naach, charity events and also a celebration of the feast of Mother Mary.
“It is our dream to present one of the finest programmes in the history of SKA London. After forming a team of enthusiastic members and leaders, we have worked very hard to fulfill our dream and I am sure we will present a great programme for our members and guests. The programme starts with a Holy Mass in the morning. Entertainment will be provided by one of the most energetic and entertaining music groups of the Konkan region - Charitra. Local Mangalurean talents will join them to give added entertainment,” said Sunil D’Cunha, president of SKA London.
The mega Ruby anniversary celebrations are scheduled to commence at 11 am sharp on October 13 with a thanksgiving Mass in Konkani followed by traditional Mangalurean lunch and the cultural programme.
The cultural evening will be spearheaded by band Charitra which is planning a rock show on the occasion. It is sure to deliver one of the finest evenings of its musical career. The other artistes performing with band Charitra on the occasion are:
Eric Ozario: One of the most prominent figures in the Konkani movement today. He is also one among the leading music composers and singers in the Konkani industry and has to his credit the accomplishment of having composed over a thousand songs. He is an innovator and a trainer and has contributed greatly to the revival of Konkani culture. He is also known to have given over 800 performances all over the world.
He is the Gurkar of Mandd Sobhann – World’s Premier Konkani Cultural Organisation. He is also the recipient of the ‘Karnataka Rajya Prashasti’ (Government of Karnataka) – 1993.
His great contribution and love to the Konkani language has made him undertake the position of The Secretary General of Jagotik Konkani Songhotton – JKS (the only global Konkani organisation).
He is the co-founder of Mandd Sobhann and Kalangann – the Konkani Heritage Centre, at Shakthinagar, Mangaluru, and has led the mammoth successful effort to enter Konkani in the Guinness Book of World Records.
He also served as the president of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy for the term 2005-2008 and is very renowned for being the man responsible for the introduction of Konkani in the school curriculum in Karnataka (as the president of the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy).
He has given Konkani its 10 Commandments and is the one who, through JKS, gave leadership to the Global Survey (2014) and the Konkani Language Plan (2015) – to ensure a secure future for Konkani. He has been decorated with the highest honour of merit under the banner of Konkani language – “The Vishwa Konkani Kala Ratna’.
There are 3 biographies of his life that have already been published – two in English ‘Eric Red & White’, ‘The Indefatigable Crusader’ and one in Konkani - ‘Tho’kanato’l’lo Zhuzari’.
Joyce Ozario: Born in Jeppu in the year 1952, Joyce is known to be one of the sweetest voices among the senior singers in Konkani. She has been in the field of Konkani singing since the age of 10 and has served the Konkani language for the last 55 years. She has been an active participant in inter-parish singing competitions, winning prizes in almost every competition.
Her professional singing career began in the year 1971, singing for Wilfy Nites and later on moved to becoming the lead singer of ‘Paradela’ and ‘Rang Tarang Geet Mala’.
After the birth of Mandd Sobhann in 1986, she has been lending her voice to every show and every album that Mandd Sobhann has produced. The most popular songs sung by her are – ‘Biri Biri Pavsa’, ‘Abolya’, ‘Altoddi Dongrar’, ‘Az Mugeli’, ‘Kollana’ etc., and duets such as ‘Shirandharicho Pavs’, ‘Festa Santek’, ‘Kirak Moag Peracho’, ‘Fatoddechya Kombyan’, ‘Suryachim Kirnnam’ etc.
For her long valuable service to Konkani music, she was decorated with the title of ‘Konkani Abolem’ in the year 2011.
Joseph Mathias: The renowned entrepreneur is also a well-known singer, film actor and is known for his soft spoken nature.
Joseph Mathias began as a child singing hymns with his mother at home, in the church and thereafter sang and won trophies and accolades in various singing competitions in the city.
He got his first break at a programme organised by Konkani Association in Dubai and from then on, gained recognition as a singer. He has also rendered his voice for several musical albums and has been honoured by several Konkani associations for his selfless services.
Velita Lobo: Velita Lobo is a popular Konkani singer and musician, and she is most famous as the winner of Mojho Tallo Gaitalo. Velita Lobo currently works as a lecturer in St Aloysius Pre-University College, Mangaluru.
She is also featured in a video song named “Karkolchya Festha Deesam”. She had also performed in live shows with renowned Konkani artistes and has rendered her voice for several Konkani albums.
For more details contact:
Sunil D'Cunha - 07894995160
Loy D'Souza - 07920423947
Wilfred Menezes - 07590574429.