Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Apr 28: "The Bible's Noah's Ark preserved the best for the future amid the flood. Similarly, Kalangan is like Noah's Ark for the Konkani culture, preserving and nurturing it. Coming here is itself a celebration. The programs held here are a constant source of strength for the survival of Konkani. Today, students who have received training in dance and music will be awarded certificates. They are the future cultural ambassadors who will carry forward this tradition," said Fr Alwyn Sequeira, editor of the fortnightly Uzwaad.

He was speaking after distributing certificates to students of Sur Sobhan (music training) and Baila-Hope (dance training) at a ceremony organized by Mandd Sobhann at Kalangan, Shaktinagar, on April 27.

The Sur Sobhann program offered 60 hours of training in Hindustani music and Konkani singing, while Baila-Hope offered 40 hours of training in Konkani Baila dance and Western hip-hop dance. Students from Sur Sobhan had to appear for oral and written examinations. A total of 70 students enrolled for Sur Sobhan and 27 youngsters enrolled for Baila-Hope.

Trainers Shilpa Cutinha (singing) and Rahul Pinto (dance) explained the course of the training. Mandd Sobhann Gurkar Eric Ozario encouraged the students to continue learning and striving for excellence in their respective fields. As part of the event, students presented a song and a dance that they had learned during the training.

Vithori Karkal read out the names of students receiving certificates and announced that Sur Sobhan Grade 1 and Grade 2 music classes would commence from the first Sunday of June. Assistant trainers DL D'Souza, Ashwill Colaco, and Delicia Pereira were also honored during the event.

Mandd Sobhann president Luvie J Pinto and Sumel coordinator Rayna Sequeira were present on the dais. Vikas Kalakul compared the programme.