By Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network—Mumbai (RD/CN)
Mumbai, Oct 16: A Konkani talent contest was held under the aegis of Maharastra Konkan Association, Konkan Bhasha Mandal and Konkani Group Malvani, at Malvani parish in suburban Malad (West), recently.
Konkan Bhasha Mandal president P N Shanbagh inaugurated the contest on the occasion.
Maharashtra Konkan Association president Walter D’Souza, vice-president Cyril Castelino, director Benedicta Rebello, honorary secretary Vincent Castelino, Konkani Group Malvani executive committee president Louisa Pereira, honorary secretary Charles Saldanha, treasurer Gregory Veigas, and convener Leo Fernandes were present on the dais.
Speaking on the occasion, Shanbagh said that talent contests among the Konkani community should be encouraged to foster the language and culture.
Over 100 children of the Konkani community participated in various competitions including music and folk dance. Musicians Kevin D’Souza, Anthony Tauro, Gerry Bondel, and Judy Pereira were the jurors of the contest.
The group comprising Priya Coutinho, Maria Furtado, Jovela D’Almeida and Jean Cardoza bagged the prizes in music. Celine D’Souza and group of Malvani, Janice D’Souza and group of Goregaon, Samantha Castelino of Orlem, Joyce D’Souza and Yaon Menezes of Goregaon, Glen Veigas and group of Malvani, Flloyd D’Souza and group of Malvani, Joyce D’Souza and group of Goregaon, Patricia Pais and group of Malvani bagged the prizes in dance.
Crystal of Orlem, Reema D’Costa of Orlem, Ronald D’Souza of Malvani, Reema D’Souza of Orlem, Gratian D’Souza of Amboli, and Felix D’Souza of Malvani bagged the prizes in the senior singing competition. Merlyn D’Souza and group of Malvani bagged the prize in senior dance contest.
Cyril Castelino welcomed the gathering while Leo Fernandes compered the programme and Vincent Castelino proposed the vote of thanks.