Stanly Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Dec 23: 'Tuje Songim,' a CD of Konkani devotional hymns by Fr Alwyn Sequeira was released by Fr Henry Sequeira, chancellor, Mangalore diocese here recently.

Speaking on the occasion,Fr Henry wished and entreated Fr Alwyn to continue his work of bringing the faithful closer to the Lord through music. The lyrics and the tunes for the album have been composed by First Global Konkani Music Award winner Fr Alwyn Sequeira and Br Sunil Fernandes.

Fr Antony D'Souza, Fr Pius D'Souza, Dr Prashanth Raj, Joseph Pinto, Melroy D'Cunha, Sangeetha Balchandra, Muriel Mascarenhas, Mildred Noronha, Anjali Andrade, Nisha Sequeira, Jennifer Pais, Br Richard Menezes, Br Anil Prashanth, Br Rayan Pais Sylvian D'Silva, Edith D'Souza, Dr Lydia Lobo, Preema D'Silva Manoj D'Costa, Mangalamma, Sujatha Prasad, Kushala, Dakshayani and Usha have rendered their melodious voices to the album.

Harmonization for the album has been done by Joel Pereira and Fr Walter Albuquerque while orchestration is by Praveen Duth Stephen, Bangalore. Praveen Duth Stephen (keyboard), Kutti (rhythm), Sam (Indian rhythms), Butto (flute), Shruti Kamath (sitar), Karthik (guitars), Ramchandra and group, Chennai (violins) make up the team that provided music for the album. Fr Alwyn thanked all those who worked for the success of the project.
 
Fr Alwyn hails from Shirthady here and is a member of the Order of the Discalced Carmelites (OCD) of Karnataka-Goa province. He is a musician and a poet too. He has to his credit nine Konkani CDs. He received Mandd Sobhann's 'The First Global Konkani Music Award' for his album 'Svadik Sobd.' His poetry book 'Pinturam' was also recognized by the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi.

'Moran Sanddleli Pakam' Konkani Anthology by Jo Si Siddakatte Released

Paul Moras, president of Konkani writers forum released Konkani poetry book, 'Moran Sanddleli Pakam' penned by Jo Si Siddakatte on the same occasion. 

Addressing the gathering, Moras said that there was a need for standardization in Konkani and urged the writers to fight against injustice through their writings.

Jo Si Siddakatte thanked all those who helped him to publish the book. 'Moran Sanddleli Pakam' has been published by city's Naman Ballok Jesu Prakashan.

Jo Si Siddakatte hails from Siddakatte. He is a member of Karnataka-Goa province of the Order of the Discalced Carmelites (OCD), doing his regency at the monastery, Margao, Goa. He published his first book (a collection of poems) titled 'Pavsadhonu' in the year 2008. He regularly contributes to various Konkani magazines.