Kuwait Enraptured by Non-stop Baila at Mangalorean Day
Report: Priya Saldanha Shirthady / Kuwait.
Pics: Noel Cutinha and Susan Saldanha
Daijiworld Media Network - Kuwait
Kuwait, May 7: The first-ever open air event "Mangalorean Day" was organized by Creative Indians Association on Friday May 6 at the Touristic Garden, Jleeb Al Shyoukh from 6.45 pm onwards.
Though there have been plenty of social and cultural events around Kuwait, this event was a class apart. The spectacular musical treat was well attended by music lovers from around Kuwait.
'Baila King' Eric Ozario, known for his entertaining skills led the troupe from the front and kept the audience on their toes throughought the evening.
The event was organised by 'Konkan Kalzan' under the leadership of young and dynamic event organiser Prashant D'Souza, who is very popular around Kuwait for hosting big time Bollywood shows. The show and the concept was well appreciated by the crowd
The evening commenced with a welcome song “Baila Feista" sung by Baila King Eric Ozario and his team comprising Joyce Ozario, Zeena Pereira and Prakash D'Souza. Stany Alvares, the compere of the evening welcomed the audience. Eric Ozario along with his team, supported by the highly talented local stars - former member of Mandd Sobhann singing troupe and popular Konkani singer, Rony D'Cunha, Joy Fernandes, Ritesh Ozario, runner-up of 'Gulf Voice of Mangalore', Warren D'Souza, and Wanisha Fernande regaled the audience with their God-gifted golden voices.
Music was provided by the visiting musicians from Mangalore - Alwyn D'Souza, Roshan D'Souza, Sachin, Cajetan, Richard Monteiro, Ashith Pinto along with Kuwait musicians Rithesh Ozario and Joy Fernandes.
The main sponsor of the programme, Roland Colaco, was to be honoured with bouquets and momento. As he was not able to attend Salomi Alvares accepted the honour on his behalf. The gold sponser Roy Castelino and the co-sponsors were also honored with bouquets and momentoes.
The members of Konkan Kalzan Diany Cutinha, president of Creative Indians Association Prashanth D'Souza and his team were honoured by Pascal Pinto for being instrumental in organizing such a grand gala Mangalorean event. They were invited to the stage with floral bouquets in appreciation for their untiring efforts to promote Konkani. To commemorate this event a souvenir was released by the Gold sponsor Rony Castelino. A CD was released by Vally D'Sa and his wife.
Pascal Pinto in his speech thanked the audience for their enthusiastic participation in the first ever Mangalorean open air programme in Kuwait and urged the people to strive and preserve Konkani by speaking and teaching it to their future generation. Let the flag of Konkani fly high and let Konkani spread all over the world, he said.
Jovas XLNC, a popular dance troupe performed to the tune of Ye Nari Ye. The dance was choreographed by Jyothi and Sunil and appreciated by one and all.
The most entertaining part of the evening was when Mubarak Al Azmi, a Kuwaiti national who had won the hearts of many music lovers during the Indian carnival just a week ago, rocked the stage with his Hindi numbers. The audience thoroughly enjoyed and were seen cheering, whistling, dancing and shouting for more numbers from Mubarak. However, due to time constraints the wish could not be fulfilled.
The event that was witnessed by a large crowd came to an end at 10.30 pm with a 15-minute non-stop baila.