Media Release

Doha, Sep 20: Mangalore Cultural Association (MCA) - Qatar celebrated Monti Fest with great splendour and grandeur on September 15 at the Indian Cultural Centre Doha. Monti Fest celebration this year was a very significant one as it was MCA’s 10th Monti Fest celebration and the programme was also a curtain-raiser of MCA’s decennial year.

The programme began with compere Clement Fernandes’ hospitable welcome to the gathering. In order to seek the blessings of the almighty on the auspicious programme, MCA's theme song was sung by the members and a prayer song ‘Ye Moriye’ composed by Wilfy Rebimbus was melodiously rendered by Clarissa Pinto. ‘Roce’ with the blessed corn (Noven) was served to the gathering. The Advisory Members, Felix Lobo, Wilfred Fernandes and Jerry Pinto were escorted to the stage by MCA president, Veena Rebimbus Pais and vice-president Clement Saldanha for a short stage programme.

Veena welcomed the gathering and briefed about the upcoming programmes that MCA has charted down for the year and threw light on the works done by the association in the nine years of its existence. For all the good work done by the association, the members will surely benefit through God’s numerous blessings. She quoted 'What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world, remains and is immortal'. She also extended invitation to the new Mangalorean residents of Doha to join the association and be a part of the good work done by MCA. A logo which is the brain child of Felix Lobo and a slogan that has been fabricated for MCA’s decennial year was unveiled by the advisory members in the presence of the former two presidents Harry Lobo and Arthur Pais. Felix Lobo addressed the gathering with information about the birth of the Monti Fest celebrations in Mangaluru and Goa and further edified the gathering on the mission of the association. Like in the past years, this year too MCA revered its member's children who have academically excelled in the 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th and bachelor’s degree exams as an encouragement and appreciation to them.

General secretary Hema Fernandes announced the names of the children. They were Ethan Ignatius D’Sa S/O Veena and Ephrem D’Sa, Rishon Manuel D’Cunha S/O Rita and Roque D’Cunha, Adrian Rex Coutinho S/O Sylvia and Robert Coutinho, Reona Malaika Lobo D/O Anisha and Rupert Lobo, Candida Valencia Rodrigues D/O Veera and Benidict
Rodrigues, Clarissa Neolla Pinto D/O Jane and Stany Pinto, Glen Furtado S/O Helen and George Furtado, Ashton Ian D’Souza S/O Merlyn and Aloysius D’Souza, Blacious Victor Joel D’Souza S/O Grace and James Valerian DSouza, Brian Santhan Danthy S/O Gracy and Santhan Danthy, and Sophia Saldanha D/O Cynthia and Thomas Saldanha.

A cultural programme was put up by the members.

Ullas D’Souza, Godwin D’Souza, Veronica Baretto and Sandeep Noronha superbly enacted some rib tickling comedy skits.

Tiny Tots Vaishnavi, Ethan, Jayden and Angelina danced to the tunes of Kinkule composed by Melwyn Peris, choreographed by Shweta.

The evening saw some beautifully presented popular songs composed by Konkan Kogul Wilfy Rebimbus.

Wilson Mendonca along with Waylon Mendonca and Clarissa Pinto beautifully rendered the song ‘Konglish’.

Jovita Pereira D’Souza brilliantly sang a solo number ‘Don Sovalam’ another creation of Wilfy Rebimbus which showed girl power.

‘Bhikaro‍eachem Kuttam’, another super hit number of the Konkan Kogul was enacted by MCA members and was superbly sung by Rupert Lobo, a popular Mangalorean voice of Qatar.

Naveen and Preema Pinto, the couple gifted with beautiful voice and a fantastic art of singing wonderfully performed the comedy duet of Wilfy – Meena Rebimbus, ‘Tuvem Kitem Mhollem’.

The music tracks for all the songs were provided by Joswin Pinto Bendur.

The highlight of the evening was ‘Sangeeth Natak’ titled ‘Hazaar Umalyanche Kazaar’ composed by Wilfy Rebimbus depicting the traditions of an old Mangalorean wedding. The story telling part was written by Konkan Kala Shree Claud D’Souza. Directed by Alfred Cyril Crasta, popular Mangalorean actors of Doha like George Menezes and Clement Fernandes, Naveen D’Souza, Sunitha D’Souza, Rohan Furtado, Rychel D’Souza, Alfred Cyril Crasta, Aloysius D’Souza, Leena Lobo, Sandeep Noronha, Merlyn D’Souza, Albert Rego, Della Rego, Wilson Mendonca, Dorothy Quadros, Hema Fernandes, Rony Fernandes, Clara D’Souza, Shalini Mendonca and Gracy Danthywere part of the musical play.

The singing team comprised of Rupert Lobo, Carol D’Souza, Jovita Pereira, Neil D’Silva, Praveen Lobo, Jason Dias, Godwin D’Souza, Jane Pinto, Veronica Baretto and Anisha Lobo.

Music was provided by Kirthan Rodrigues and Ullas D’Souza.

MCA’s vice-president Clement Saldanha, proposed the vote of thanks.

One of the most popular voices of the previous GVOM season, Clement Fernandes did a superb job as the compere for the evening with a remarkable command over Konkani language. He also conducted some innovative spot games.

Earlier, the executive committee members got together at the residence of Felix and Stephany Lobo and prepared scrumptious food under the leadership and guidance of Stephany Lobo. The food as always was delightful and was relished by all with great appreciation.

Mangalore Cultural Association which is popular for keeping up the quality of programmes, with the inaugural of their decennial celebration, presented another magnificent evening with a professional touch which went as a memorable event for the house full audience who were part of the evening.