Report : Dolly Sequeira
Pics by Dilip Correa and Arun Jivraj Lobo
Daijiworld Media Network - Muscat
Muscat, Nov 22: MCCP, the Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish (Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi) needs to be greatly applauded once again this current year 2009 - 2010 for staging another day of celebration for all Mangaloreans residing in Muscat. A perfect season; awesome chilly weather; joy of the approaching long and thrilling holiday season - these were the ideal ingredients that complimented the day of sharing true Mangalorean tradition and joy of togetherness at one venue. Under the dynamic leadership of charismatic President Suraj Rebello ( Dakleancho Samrat), his vibrant team and the multitalented members of the community, MCCP hosted an amazing event to tag name as “Mangalorean Day 2009 at the huge Al Masa Hall - Ruwi.
The grand décor and joyful ambiance were so exquisite that it made the members to reminiscent of the homeland, coastal Karnataka in particular. The warmth exuded while entering the hall was felt by each and every one as it was decorated with Banana trees and traditional dressed people welcomed one and all. All this offered the venue a great awesome festive look.
Monica Dantis – Vice President, Cultural, Spiritual & Community Services Committee and Lavina DSa - Cultural Secretary welcomed the gathering with a hearty welcome speech. A Prayer dance was staged by community’s budding talents under the guidance of versatile choreographer Glenda Castelino
As the executive committee members stepped on to the stage, some of the Mangaloreans along with the vibrant band performed the Vojem Hadchem ceremony. Heading the Gurkarponn was Edward Mendonca. As a typical exchange of offering they carried with them Bonde, Gadai, Mude, Dokor to the President, Suraj Rebello. This ceremony was met with a huge round of applause by everyone present there as it flashbacked them to the time when this ceremony was done with great fervor in the coastal Karnataka region.
Vojem Hadchem is a very old tradition in Mangalore and has been dying in the recent years. This generally used to happen when a wedding takes place in a family and the relatives give their offerings to the bride / bridegrooms’ family to take care of the expenses of the big day. This ceremony was formulated by Philomena Moras and her team.
Suraj Rebello delivered his welcome speech with great enthusiasm and promised the audience an ongoing entertainment not just today but for the entire term. He also expressed his happiness to see such a large audience. The musical album of Konkani songs “Jeevan Sangeeth” created by famous Konkani composer Apolinaris D’ Souza was then released on this graceful occasion by Suraj Rebello. For further details on the CD please log in http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=68537.
The full day of entertainment had a number of events lined up like a garland of beautiful flowers, which reflected the great culture of the land of angels, Mangalore. Melodious songs were sung to the best tunes, Stree, Streyanchi Suraam , Manglurgarano Yeva Yeya. The singers were Apolinaris D Souza, Victoria Soares, Flavia D Souza, Jovita Sequeira, Ronald Lobo, Vivian Fernandes, Dilip Correa, Joachim D’ Souza, Ivan Moras, Lancy Sequeira, Nirmala Goveas, Flavia Castelino & Jacintha Serrao and Meval Dantis.
The MCCP youth presented a song “Sachin” and was sung by Meval Dantis, Lanston Pinto, Darryl Saldanha, Dean D Souza, Rhea Fernandes, Lanisha Sequeira.
The Ghala parishioners sang a song “Mangalur Apoita” composed by Apolinaris D Souza and sung by Charotte Cutinha, Reena Fernandes, Tressy Goveas, Hubert D Souza, Ronald Lobo, Peter D Souza and Vivian Fernandes. After the string of the songs, it was the turn to watch a number of dances performed to entertain the audience. The dancers were Alston Moras, Melita Rodrigues, Adriana Classia Noronha, Chrisma D Souza, Relina Vas, Andrea Caron Noronha.
Another fascinating event which caught the eyes of the audience was the Nathalancho Kell, the participants depicted the true personalities singing along the houses in Mangalore, which is generally seen in Mangalore in the evenings of Christmas season. This was a truly a treat to all gathered there. The Nathalancho Kell was under the leadership of Jerald Mascarenhas with his extraordinary team of Claud Frank, Michael Goveas, Sylvester Vaz, Alwyn Baptist, Stany Menezes, Jerry, Canon D Souza, Russel D Souza, Rony D Souza, Raizen, Avinash, Shailesh, Micheal Lobo and Austin .
Rib Cracking skits named Asal Put, Hospital, H1N1 & Interview were dramatized by Muscat’s artistic actors Lancy - Kelrai, Peter - Gantrlkatte, Alwyn - Kokkada, Deepak - Bendoor, Comedy King Walter - Karkala, Flavy - Bajpe, Sunil - Katiralla, Walter - Puttur, Helen - Madyanthar and Dean - Bajpe
Cyprian Misquith, MCCP’s Honorary Treasurer, then spoke about the MCCP souvenir for the year which would be released in May 2010. The early bird prizes were conducted by Lydia Sanctis and was awarded by Stanley Fernandes. The sponsors for this day were Jerry Mascarenhas, Towell Engineering & Suleyum Al Kiyumi Trading. The sponsors where then honored by the President.
Youth of the community are like jewels in the crown, who shine and dazzle with their talents and passion. Two young multitalented youths Meval Dantis and Lanston Pinto were honored for their extraordinary talents and their dedication the society. Meval is the eldest son of Valerian and Monica Dantis. Meval had been playing the keyboard since the age of 7. He is an active participant of the Philipino choir in the Ruwi parish and also offering his service to MCCP/ Mangalorean community for many years. He has been under the great guidance of Apolinaris D Souza. Lanston Pinto, the eldest son of Lancy and Jacintha Pinto is a master of many instruments like Keyboard, Piano, Guitar, Base Guitar and Drums, Flute. He has been playing since the age of 5 and has been an active member of the various church Choirs and Gospel bands. He is a lead member of the band “Down Town Cascade” and has been rendering his services to many bands in the Sultanate.
Two new events which were held this year were the photography competition and the Recipe contest. It was a great sight to see the striking photos taken by all participants. Our taste buds were given a treat by the awesome culinary by our members. The winners are as follows:
Photography Competition Winners
Veena Fernandes – 1st place
Lancy D Souza – 2nd place
Arun Lobo – 3rd Place
The winners were awarded by Donald Pinto
Cooking competition Winners - Non Veg category
Asha Noronha – 1st place
Nirmala Goveas - 2nd place
Felcy Fernandes – 3rd place
Desert Category
Veena Fernandes – 1st Place
Nirmala Goveas- 2nd Place
Sharmila Dsilva – 3rd Place
The winners were honored by Henry Martis.
The second part of the program was hosted by charming Reena Mathias Community Services Secretary and Energetic Suraj Rebello. This was a programme which kept everyone on their toes as everyone present, irrespective of their age had to stand and sit. It was heartening to see everyone on the floor keenly participating in the event. What gave the crowd the boost to be on the floor was the exceptional music played by the famous Mangalorean band Downtown Cascade.
Manglurgarano Yeya Yeya song composed by Aploranis D Souza and sung by his team calling people from the various parishes present in the gathering gave a thrilling experience for all. As the names of the parishes were called people gathered front stage and danced to the tunes.
The vote of thanks was read by Prescilla Machado - Vice President Sports and Finance Committee. A grand raffle draw was conducted at the end of the event and the winner was Canon D Souza wining a full paid ticket Muscat -Mangalore- Muscat
Program ended with nonstop Balia put forward by the reputed band Downtown Cascade.
Truly the day was not just about fun and frolic but a feeling of closeness with our motherland. The traditions and customs were portrayed at different events and truly this day was another success of Suraj Rebello and Team.