By Vijai D’cunha (G-kere)
Muscat, Oct 8: The stage is set, the drums are polished, and the air is buzzing with anticipation. On Friday, October 10, the Hotel Al Falaj Grand Hall will play host to one of the most anticipated cultural events of the year — ‘Pepere Pepe Dum – Season 2’, a brass band musical extravaganza that promises to transport audiences back to the golden era of Mangalurean celebrations.
Four teams, nine performances, star guests, and a live band from Badyar — the grand musical night aims to revive and celebrate the fading glory of Mangalurean brass band culture in the Gulf.
For the Konkani-speaking Mangalurean community in Muscat, this is more than just an event — it is a revival of identity, a tribute to heritage, and a celebration of shared roots thousands of kilometres away from home.
A tradition that refuses to fade
For generations, brass bands have been an inseparable part of Mangalurean life. Their lively beats accompanied weddings, parish feasts, first holy communions, roce ceremonies, and even funeral processions, turning every gathering into a musical spectacle.
But with the rise of DJs and electronic music, this vibrant tradition has gradually faded from the community landscape. Pepere Pepe Dum aims to change that narrative.
After the resounding success of its debut edition during a four-day festival in Mangaluru in 2024, the movement has now crossed borders. Muscat is proudly hosting the first international edition, determined to keep the brass band spirit alive for future generations.
MCCP president Lancy Lobo said the event was more than a competition — it was a cultural statement aimed at helping the younger generation experience the same joy and energy that earlier generations grew up with.
Four teams, nine segments, one cultural pulse
The evening will feature four spirited teams, each comprising 40–45 performers, representing different segments of the Mangalurean community in Muscat. Led by Michael Pasanna, Ajith Walder, Vijai D’Cunha, and Prem Colaco, these teams have spent weeks rehearsing to recreate the magic of traditional celebrations.
Their performances will unfold in nine colourful segments:
Couple dance
Tiger dance
Jive dance
Funny baila
Traditional procession
Matwa padan
Female group baila dance
Men group baila dance
Grand group dance (all)
Each segment promises to blend music, dance, costume, and nostalgia — offering a multisensory experience that Muscat’s Mangalurean community has rarely witnessed on such a scale.
A star-studded line-up
The event will welcome an impressive roster of guests and cultural figures. Noted philanthropist, entrepreneur and community leader Dr Ronald Colaco will grace the occasion as chief guest. The guests of honour include Daijiworld editor-in-chief Walter Nandalike, Fr Sylvester D’Costa, parish priest of Kelarai church, and Fr Stephen Lewis, parish priest of Sts Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi.
A live brass band troupe from Badyar, Beltangady, Karnataka, will be specially flown in to add an authentic touch to the proceedings, filling the hall with the unmistakable sounds that once echoed through Mangalurean streets.
Adding to the prestige, a panel of eminent judges from Mangaluru will evaluate the performances, ensuring that the cultural standards remain as high as the community’s expectations.
Prizes that inspire
To raise the stakes, attractive prizes have been announced. The winning team will receive a grand prize of Rs 2.5 lac (approx OMR 1,000), while the remaining teams will each be awarded Rs 1.25 lac in recognition of their efforts and cultural contribution.
A powerful cultural movement
Pepere Pepe Dum – Season 2 is presented by the Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish (MCCP) and Ami Ani Amchim Mangalore, in association with Ventures Entertainment and Sky United Logistics – Oman.
To promote and encourage the art of brass band music, the event is the brainchild of Denis D’Silva, president of Ami Ani Amchim, and Santosh D’Costa. For them, it is more than just an evening of entertainment — it is part of a wider cultural movement aimed at preserving and celebrating a distinctive musical heritage in an age dominated by modern soundtracks.
Mebal Pinto, general manager of Marmul Travel & Tours and a staunch supporter of the Mangalurean community in Oman, said the response from the community had been overwhelming. It was heartening, he added, to see people of all ages coming together with enthusiasm to celebrate and preserve their unique cultural heritage. Events like these not only entertain but also strengthen community bonds and keep traditions alive.
Past MCCP president and managing director of Sky United Logistics, Dilip Correa, said people were excited not just to perform but to witness something they thought they had left behind in Mangaluru.
More than music
Beyond the competition and celebrations, the night is expected to be a homecoming of sorts for many Mangalureans in Oman. For the older generation, it will be a journey down memory lane; for the younger generation, a glimpse into a cultural world they have heard about but rarely experienced.
As the final rehearsals wrap up and the last brass instruments are tuned, one thing is clear — Muscat is ready to make history with a night where tradition takes centre stage once again.