Report : Lavina D Sa – Pangala
Photos : Loyson Elwyn D'souza

Ghala, Sep 10 : The Konkani speaking community of Holy Spirit Church, Ghala, Sultanate of Oman celebrated the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the 7th of September, 2012 with great pomp and glory.   This year was the 10th year of  Nativity feast  celebration in  the Ghala  Parish. Green a color that symbolizes prosperity and mother nature was the theme color of the celebration.

The festivities commenced by the recitation of the Rosary at the grotto.

The parish priest Fr. Albert D’silva and Bishop of Gulbarga Most Rev. Robert Miranda blessed the new harvest. The children of the Konkani community then showered flowers to the statue of  Mother Mary . The procession of children, adults, bearers of stature of the bambino and blessed corn and souvenirs followed by the  Altar servers and Priests  then lead towards the basket ball court where the feast mass was celebrated.  The mass was made more meaningful by the melodious voices of the choir members which was lead by Mr. Rony Lobo and his team.

 
Newly blessed  paddy corns, Souvenirs and juices were distributed to the gathering after the mass. Children who showered flowers were overjoyed to receive gift hampers.
  
The first part of the cultural programme  was compered by Mrs. Nirmala Goveas who is a well known Konkani activist, singer and  poet.

A tableau presented by Thomas D’souza and Aslita D’souza as St. Joachim and St. Ann  holding Mother Mary accompanied by angles Gloria Barboza, Larissa Barboza, Walwyn Dias, Rolwin Lobo, Meknel Dsouza, Lionel Vaz, Clarita Saldanha, Vanissa Dsouza,  Renal Lobo,  Roshal Lobo, Shancy Mendonsa on to the hymn “Sant An Mayecha udarin” marked the beginning of the programme. Nirmala Goveas then welcome John Gonsalves, a very able leader of the Mangalorean community in Ghala Parish and community representative in the Parish Council of Ghala Church, Mr. Micheal Goveas the Iron man of Ghala church who is the backbone of the Mangalorean community in Ghala church and Mr. Jawahar Pinto, who was the “Gurkar” of the programme .

Mr. John Gonsalves welcomed the gathering  and also expressed his gratitude to all who contributed to the programme.

The Bishop , Parish Priest and Assistant Parish priest  were escorted by the  core committee members Philomena Mendonsa, Helen Dsouza, Lavina D’sa and  Hubert D’souza in a traditional  band procession to the dais. Green and white colored halogen balloons were released to mark the inauguration of the event.

Bishop Rev. Robert Miranda    blessed the food  for the “ Novem Jevan”consisting of 11 delicacies cooked  by the parishioners to serve over 800 people of the community.

Mr.Melwin Peris and Mr. Paul D’souza the two generous Mangaloreans providing the new corn for the Monthi Fest celebrations for many years were present at the programme. They were honored for their unselfish service with mementoes   by                           
Mr. Jawahar Pinto, the Gurkar of the program, who was dressed traditionally then,  raised the toast and presented the”Jevnak Udak”

The second half of the programme was compered by Mr. Dilip  Correa  who is a very well known leader of the Mangalorean community in Oman. Namo Namo  a spiritual welcome dance staged by bay Lizy Barboza won the hearts of all.

Singers Robert Sequeira, Movin Quadras, Astrin Dsilva ,Charlotte Cutinho, Rony Lobo,  Hubert Dsouza, Sandra Concesso , Alwyn Baptist , Nancy Gonsalves and  Rion Dsouza gave a meaningful start by singing the song Novem Jevan Jevta.

A tulu dance “ Nirmalakka” was presented by the tiny tots Liza D’sa, Sia Futardo, Chelsea D’sa, Rebecca Pinto, Stacy  Vas, Melina Goveas  and Muriel D’souza was choreographed by Nancy and Sylvester Vas.  Dadbadayta a foot tapping dance number was staged by Priyanka Mendonca.

Morvin Quadros became the favorite of the crowd while he sang Havn Mog karthan. Mahima Devachi  was well perfomed and sung by Rony Lobo & Alwyn Baptist in a very jovial and playful manner. Dum Dum diga diga a song  sung by Astrin D’silva and Morvin Quadros was accompanied by famous dancers  Sachin Lobo , Jyostna Tharakan, Priyanka Mendonca,  Hanson Hancy , Rion Dsouza & Jeyal Tharakan, the dance was choreographed by Sachin Lobo. Nirmal Goveas then enthralled the hearts of many by singing Cha Cha Cha number.
Poixe a comedy act cum dance was  enacted by Peter Fernandes and Sylvestor Vaz.
Kazaracho Vhor a depiction of the ceremonial procession of the Mangalorean wedding was performed by Hokal as Zeena Pereira , Novro as Reizan Pereira, Gurkaar as Russel Dsouza and Edward Mendonca and  by other community members was followed by dance Althodi thavn polthodi presented by Dancers Gracy Barboza , Jessy Pereira, Nancy Vaz, Meera Saldanha, Jyothi Dsouza,

Nancy Gonsalves and Alwyn Baptist entertained the crowd by singing” Alwina and Elwina”. 

Hen Manglur Amchen was performed by renowned dancers Ajay Lobo, Sylvestor Vaz, Avinash Menezes , Peter Fernandes, Allen Dsouza ,this was choreographed by Ajay Lobo. Heart throbbing number Chandrem udevn Ailo was sung by  Sandra Concesso  and Hubert  Dsouza.
 Since Monthi fest in the Ghala Church is a celebration of all the Konkani speaking crowd a dance Goa amchen perfomed by Ajay Lobo & Sylvestor Vaz depicted the unity of all the communities in the church.

Haavn tujo mog karthan a Golden number by  Late Wilfy Remimbus & Meena Reminbus  was sung by Zino Saldanha  and  Astrin Dsilva

Ace artistes Robert D’souza playing the lead guitar, Zino Saldanha playing the organ, Sunil D’sa playing the drums and Rony playing the Base guitar supported all the singers with their musical talents.

Mrs. Lavina D’sa conducted the bonanza draw and the prize distribution ceremony for the flower arrangement competition.

With the spirit of homeland coming alive in the Ghala parish and hundreds of people coming together as one family for the Novem Jevan the Monti fest celebrated at the Ghala Church was indeed a big family get together  for the Konkan crowd if the church.