Mangalore: Music, Drama, Dance Mark Carmel Day Celebrations
Stanley Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Dec 11: Carmel Day 2011 was celebrated with great joy here on Saturday December 10, as the entire community of Carmel Hill, Bikarnakatte, came together to organize the event. The programme began at around 5.30 pm.
The programme began with a prayer dance by the altar girls, after which Fr Pius James D’Souza, the Superior, welcomed the gathering and honoured president Fr Archiebald Gonsalves, the Provincial Superior of the Carmelites, and the chief guests Melwyn D’Cunha, president of MCC Bank, Mangalore, and Roy Castelino, president of Konkani Prachara Andolana. He also welcomed Fr William who was present on behalf of the Diocese of Mangalore, and Fr Joseph Martis, rector of St Joseph’s Interdiocesan Seminary.
The brothers harmonized their voices to bring forth a melodious chorus. Melwyn D’Cunha while narrating his association with the Carmelites at Carmel Hill mentioned the three functions of an ordained minister, namely, priest, prophet and king. He spoke of how the Carmelites have served God and the faithful around.
He also thanked the gathering for their contribution in MCC Bank's journey towards its centenary year and appealed for their continued support. Roy Castelino appealed to the sentiments of the gathering, asking them to contribute to the growth of Konkani our mother-tongue and highly appreciated the Carmelites for playing a primary role in this regard, through their association with various Konkani organizations and initiatives, and especially through such programmes like the Carmel Day, which go a long way in promoting Konkani.
He then honoured Thomas J D, the dance master, for his commitment to the Carmelites for the past eight years. Fr Provincial recalling the early years of this event, highlighted the fact that the Carmel Day has been held for 24 years consecutively. He congratulated the brothers for organizing the programme despite their hectic schedule. He also honoured John M Permanoor, the director of the Konkani drama.
The brothers entertained with two dances – a western and a classical – and a creative song conveying the message, “Stop corruption.” Fr Deepak Tauro, master of students, thanked everyone who contributed to the success of the programme.
The highlight of the event was the Konkani drama written by Br Jocy Siddakatte, “Khaim Tuji Savari?” Interpolated with comedy scenes, the play, a tragedy, kept the crowd in suspense till the climax. The brothers did incredibly well and the Carmel Day became a great success.
A crowd of more than 1000 people were present to witness the programme.