Media Release
London, Sep 17: South Kanara Association (SKA) London celebrated its traditional Monthi Fest on September 13 at Alperton Community School, Stanley Avenue, HA0 4JE, bringing together families and community members for a day of faith, tradition, cultural celebration and fellowship.
The celebrations began at 9.30 am with a welcome and family photo session at the main entrance. Families and community members gathered in traditional attire, capturing memorable moments as they came together to celebrate the traditional feast, their rich cultural heritage and faith.
From 10.30 am to 11.30 am, children participated in the traditional flower offering ceremony, 'Fula Ushayche', followed by a colourful procession. The children joyfully presented fresh flowers to Mother Mary, continuing the cherished tradition as an expression of deep respect, devotion and community spirit.
The Solemn Konkani Mass was celebrated from 11 am to 12.30 pm by Fr Jason Pais with great fervour and devotion. Blessed corn, 'Novem', was solemnly blessed and distributed, grounding the community in its shared cultural and spiritual heritage. The organisers extended a special note of thanks to everyone who brought offerings for the Mass. Although Fr Valerian Castelino was unable to attend the Mass, his presence was warmly felt as he later joined the community for the afternoon celebrations.
The religious celebrations were followed by the traditional harvest lunch, 'Noven Jewan', from 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm. A traditional Mangalorean lunch was prepared with the dedicated efforts of the cooking and kitchen volunteers and served to the gathering, bringing everyone together in warm fellowship and gratitude.
Before the cultural programme, raffle tickets were sold, adding to the anticipation, engagement and festive excitement of the afternoon.
The cultural programme, held from 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm, showcased the talents of children and adults from various wards. During the celebration, Fr Jason Pais and Fr Valerian Castelino were deeply appreciated, formally thanked and honoured for their dedicated spiritual leadership and for gracing the event with their presence.
The festivities concluded from 4.30 pm to 5.30 pm with the traditional and energetic Baila dance, bringing members of the gathering to their feet and leaving the community with wonderful and lasting memories.
The organisers acknowledged the contribution of Fr Jason Pais and Fr Valerian Castelino. Altar service was provided by Stacy D'Sa, Liana D'Sa, Freya Dias, Scarlett Vaz, Viaan Tauro and Jewel D'Souza. The SKA Choir provided the choir service, while Carlos Fernandes handled the sound arrangements and Ying was responsible for photography.
The main sponsors of the celebration were Mr & Mrs Lobo, Shaun D'Souza, Eugene Dais, Brian Mathias and an anonymous sponsor who supported the provision of vegetables.
The platinum sponsors were Dr Ben and Therese D'Souza, Peter D'Sa, Alice and Mathias Rodrigues, Mouris and Mabel D'Souza, Natalia Fernandes, Emmy Castelino, Sunil Lobo, Juvana Fernandes, Americo Manito, Matilda D'Costa, Prakash and Precilla D'Souza, Julie Fernandes, Ryan D'Costa, M Quadros, Meena Sequeira, I F D'Souza and Melvin, Deepak D'Souza, Avril D'Silva and Brian Menezes.
Idli was cooked and sponsored by Alwyn and Sheela Saldanha. Vorn was cooked and sponsored by Marita Crasta and family; Reena, Jackson D'Souza and family; and Joyce D'Souza and Jessie D'Souza family. Altar flowers were sponsored by Olivia Saldanha and family, while water and milk were sponsored by Gracy Menezes and family. Children's gift sweets were sponsored by Elma and Alson Rodrigues.
The cooking volunteers played an important role in preparing the traditional feast. Karela was cooked by Stephen and Anitha Noronha, with support from Aldreena and Racheal. Chana was cooked by Valerian Monteiro and family, with support from Anitha, Emily, Mable and Mouris D'Souza, Donald and Zeeta Rodrigues.
Long beans were cooked by Valerian D'Souza and family, with support from Richard Menezes, Praveen D'Souza, Dorothy Crasta, Milan Noronha and James Fernandes. Gosale was cooked by Sunil D'Cunha and family, with support from Eugene D'Souza, Joyce D'Souza, Olivia Lewis, Janet Fernandes, Lancy and Cynthia Rodrigues, Michelle Tauro, Shalma Rodrigues and Stella D'Cunha.
Caramb was cooked by Marita Crasta and family, with support from Venessa and Nelson. Veg curry was cooked by Pamila, Arun Crasta and family, with support from Charles D’Souza and family, Thomas D'Souza and family, Sunil, Anitha and Helen.
Bindi was cooked by Olivia Menezes, with support from Dominic Pinto and family, Reena, Jackson and Jewel D'Souza, and Elroy Pereira. Rice was cooked by Lancy Rodrigues, while Stella D'Cunha and Violet D'Souza family handled the steaming of idlis.
The Saturday and kitchen volunteer team comprised Prakash Tauro, Rocky D'Silva, Sunil D'Cunha, Sampson D'Cunha, Pascal Vaz, Lancy Lobo, Laster Lobo, Ethan Lobo, Venessa Pinto, Nelson Cordeiro, Jason D'Souza, Diona Carnelio, Alwyn Saldanha, Olivia Saldanha, Sheela Saldanha, Alfred D'Souza, Lyena D'Souza, Lysel D'Souza, Sharal Carnelio, Eugene D'Souza, Joyce D'Souza, Janet Sequeira, Salma Rodrigues, Loy D'Souza, Prakash D'Souza, Tony, Jason Vinod D'Souza, Earline Paula and Elisha Jocelyn D'Souza.
The Eucharistic ministers were Winnie Bai, Arun and Pamila Crasta, Charlie and Violet D'Souza, and Venessa Pinto. Jasmine Noronha and team assisted with the Mass offertory. Mrilita Lobo and Elroy Pereira served as masters of ceremonies, while Lester Dsouza handled the DJ arrangements.
The Gurkars representing different wards were Aruna Crasta for Brent and Camden Wardo, Violet D'Souza for Ealing, Hounslow and Hillingdon Wardo, Richard Menezes for Brent and Westminster Wardo, and Reena D'Souza for Hounslow and Watford Wardo.
The cultural programme was coordinated by Jason Vinod D'Souza. Harrow and Watford Wardo presented adult dance performances by Shalma Smitha Rodrigues and Janet Sequeira. The children's participants from the ward were Jayden Fernandes, Aiden Fernandes, Daniela Rodrigues, Ivana Rodrigues, Scarlett Vaz, Stephanie Vaz, Jewel D'Souza and Elina Pinto.
Barnet and Westminster Wardo presented a dance performance featuring Riana Menezes, Tisya D'Souza and Nicole Mathias. The ward's skit featured Valerian Monteiro, Gracy Fernandes, Venessa, Friva Monteiro and Lester Lobo.
Ealing, Hounslow and Hillingdon Wardo was represented by Nikhitha Martis, Shwethal Vegas Angeline, Rheona, Juny, Primika and Sonali.
Brent and Camden Wardo was represented by Sinatra, Robin and Reshma Rodrigues, Kian, Raya, Ian, Roman, Enha Diyala Mendonca and Aveya.
A formal vote of thanks was delivered by SKA London president Sunil D'Cunha, who expressed deep appreciation to everyone who contributed to making the celebration possible.
He said a successful celebration of this scale was a testament to the strong bonds within the Mangalorean diaspora and would not have been possible without the dedication, hard work and continuous support of community members, spiritual leaders, sponsors, cultural performers and volunteers.
The organisers expressed heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated SKA London team and everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes and in the kitchen to make the SKA Monthi Fest a resounding success.
More Photo: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19EwEq3pgTTT0Gy68UT0ZifClWmepj1xk/view