Media Release

Udupi, Shirva, Nov 25: Uswas-Shirva (an Association of Shirva parishioners residing in UAE) is all set for the grand finale of its decennial year celebrations, with a final event in native Shirva that will see a host of renowned artistes and personalities from across India and abroad gracing the occasion.

The event 'Uswas Dashamanotsav' will be held at the Open Grounds of Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva at 4 pm on Sunday, December 30. Uswas has planned a unique fun-filled event and the committee members are all in full spirits as the programme will be held in their native place.
 
Bishop of newly formed Udupi Diocese Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo will be the chief guest while Fr Stany Tauro, parish priest-Shirva, Walter Nandalike, managing director, daijiworld.com, Patrons of Uswas Joseph Mathias-Qatar, Robert D’sa-Dubai, managing partner, Caesars Group, Franky D'Souza - Dubai, founder president and managing director of Frank Catering LLC, Bernard Saldanha - Dubai, NRI entrepreneur and managing director of Delmon Group, Dubai, will be the guests of honour.

Uswas Decennial Puroskar for Louis Mendonca

Uswas Decennial Puroskar will be conferred on Louis Mendonca, retired principal of St Mary’s Junior College, Shirva during the event.

Having joined the St Mary’s High School in 1949 as its headmaster, Louis Mendonca served for 32 years and during these years he saw the school develop into a college and retired as its principal. During his service he encouraged students to take part in sports and cultural activities and thus helped in the all-round development of their personality. He was the mentor, philosopher and guide to thousands of students who are now in high positions in the country and abroad. He was also instrumental in the development of the Shirva Manchakal area- supply of electricity, upgrading of the local hospital, eye check up and medical camps.

Born in Shirva, he has worked for the eradication of leprosy in Shirva and after retirement he started the higher primary school in Belur which is now a high school and has bagged the best school award. He has served as the president of Medical Relief Association of Shirva, president- Lions Club, Udupi, Lions Zonal president and president of Headmasters Association of South Kanara. He has established 500 self-help groups for women empowerment.

Among the awards he has won are the Papal Award Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice and the best teacher award from the Karnataka government.

Sangeet Samrat Henry D'Souza, Cornel and Sonali and Kenny to perform
 
Mumbai-based veteran Konkani singer and composer, “Sangeet Samrat”, “Kala Ratna” Henry D'Souza, who is highly popular among Konkani music lovers for his evergreen songs like 'Ye Ye Katrina', 'Ami Dhogi Sezara' and other songs, will be the star singer-perfomer during the event. He will be performing in Shirva for the first time. Music is his passion and singing is his way of life. He is a singer, composer, lyricist, music director and a producer – all these roles gracefully blended into one person. He is also a radio, TV, HMV, and stage singer.

Henry displays a style of singing, which is original, exceptional and sensational. His two early songs composed and sung by him more than 25 years ago, “Ye, Ye, Katrina” and “Ami Dhogi Sezara” were instant hits and immensely popular. Even in far-off Sri Lanka with its alien language and culture, Henry’s immortal song of “Ye, Ye, Katrina” has been sung in the Sinhalese language and choreographed too! Even now the melody of these songs resound all over the Konkani speaking world.

It may be recalled here that, Henry D'Souza along with Dr Aparna Mayekar were the main performers during the first ever Shirva fest celebration by Uswas in the year 2003 at Al Nasr Leisureland, Dubai. He has also performed in Abu Dhabi, Doha, Oman, Germany and many other countries and cities all over the world.
 
Television artistes Dance India Dance doubles finalists and 'Jalak Dikhla Jaa' performers - Dancing sensation of Mangalore, Cornel Rodrigues along with his dance partner Sonali will perform some spectacular Konkani and Hindi numbers. Cornel has assisted choreographer Deepak Singh, the Season 2 winner of 'Jalak Dikhla Jaa' with Prachi Desai and the runner-up of Nach Baliye.

He has also worked with celebrities like Bipasha Basu, Shahid Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Ram Kapoor, Rashmi Desai and Karan Singh Grover. Both Cornel and Sonali have performed at reality shows on television like Dance India Dance, India’s Got Talent, Boogie Woogie, Jhalak Dikhlaja, Jo Jeeta Superstar concert, Comedy Circus and danced with troupes for live shows in various award nights. This is the best opportunity for the people of Shirva and surrounding to witness breathtaking dance performances from these artistes.
 
Kenneth Zuzarte, known as 'Kenny' will be in Shirva to perform during Uswas Dashamanotsav. Kenny is very popular among the Mangalorean and Goan crowds everywhere. He simply loves to entertain the crowd. He will be one of the main attractions of the show and will sing some Konkani as well as Tulu numbers. Kenneth Zuzarte is a Konkani theatre artiste who hails from Derebail in Mangalore. He has been portraying female lead roles with aplomb for the last three decades.

He already has over 1,200 stage performances to his credit. With an exceptional capacity to get into female roles, he has performed for big Mangalroean banners like Jerome D'souza, Henry D'souza, Lawrence Saldhana, Victor Concesseo, Rose Karwar Street and Goan banners like Prem Kumar, C. Alvares, M. Boyer, H. Briton, Titta Pretto, Wilmix - Sharon, Prince Jacob and many more.
 
Other artistes like Junior Vishnuvardhan and upcoming singing talent Joshal Sweeda D'Souza will also perform during the event.
 
Joshal is a versatile multi-talented artist who has rendered her voice for many Konkani music albums and devotional albums. She was the semi-finalist of Soad International singing competition. She has won many awards for her singing performance. They will be joined by Shirva’s own singing talents Canute Mathias, Prashanth Sequeira and Joy Almeida. The famous kalladka puppets will be an added special attraction of the event.
 
Shirva’s well-known comedians, 'Boscyambegaar' are all set to put on hard efforts to bring out some of the comedy skits.

The event will be hosted by Uttam Menezes, a well known MC of the Gulf. He has been a host for several programmes in different languages like Konkani, English, Hindi and is fluent in Tulu and Kannada as well.
 
Well known band, ‘Strings’ of Mangalore under the leadership of well known guitar maestro Rajgopal along with 10 other musicians to provide live musical entertainment for Uswas Dashamanotsav. Rajgopal has been the core musician (lead guitarist) for musical shows and TV shows of playback singer Chitra and many others. He has given music for plenty of music albums of Hindi, Malayalam, Kannada, Konkani etc. Rajgopal has assured the best of his troupe’s performance for the event.

New Konkani romantic music album ‘Tumch Moga’ by Uswas to be released

‘Tumch Moga’ the new Konkani Album of Prashanth Sequeira Shirva and Nelson Pernal, which is produced by Uswas will be released during Uswas Dashamanotsav in a unique style. The album consists of 12 romantic Konkani numbers. The first music album of the duo ‘Yo Moga’ was a super hit.

‘Uswas Nachpa Spordo’ - Konkani Group Dance Competition :

Uswas is also conducting Udupi Diocese-level Konkani group dance competition ‘Uswas Nachpa Spordo’ which is to be held on December 16 in Shirva. Top 3 finalists will compete in the finals of this competition during Uswas Dashamanotsav event on December 30. The finals will be judged by Fr Valerian Mendonca, Cornel, Sonali and Caroline Mathias. Winners will be awarded Uswas winners trophy with a cash prize of Rs 15,000, Runners-up will be awarded Uswas runners-up trophy with a cash prize of Rs 10,000 and second runners-up will be awarded Uswas III prize with a cash prize of Rs 5,000.

A parish-level IPL style cricket tournament and throwball tournament are also part of the decennial year celebrations and will be held on December 23, to be inaugurated by Fr Richard Coelho, administrator of Fr Muller Medical College and Hospital.

Patrons of Uswas Joseph Mathias and family - Qatar, Robert D’Sa, Dubai, managing partner, Caesars Group, Franky D'Souza, Frank Catering LLC, Bernard Saldanha and Family, Delmon Group, Dubai and many other Shirva parishioners have come forward to sponsor the event.

The decennial year saw Uswas host a number of events to mark the celebrations. While Pradeep Barobaza’s Konkani drama 'Ootre Uzwadlem' at Abu Dhabi had a number of enthusiasts thronging the venue, blood donation campaign at Latifa Hospital, free medical checkup and advance cancer treatment information at Shirva, Uswas Cricket Trophy at Zabeel Park, Dubai witnessed keen participation and response from across the region.

Other welfare projects such as new house construction for a parishioner, house repairs and maintenance, educational support for the needy students, support for Maria Ashram Kalathur and Manasa Pamboor, filtered drinking water for college, Sponsorship to maintaining formation of young priest/nun from the parish, support for the marriage of financially backward women from the parish, sports event at Shirva etc have been undertaken during the decennial year by Uswas.

About Uswas

Uswas, in the UAE, is a group of dedicated members born in or belonging to the parish Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva, from the Udupi Diocese. This well-established Association came into existence on December 20, 2002 under the leadership of Franky D'Souza and has consistently rendered selfless service to society in various fields during the past 10 years. It is a non-profit association which abides by the motto: ‘Lend a hand not for self, but for each other’.

Driven by its motto, Uswas promotes the well-being of Shirvites living in the UAE, Shirva parish and society, and serves Konkani language and culture. The main objective of Uswas is to bring all the Shirva parishioners of UAE together under one umbrella. Uswas for the 10 years, is contributing to the education, medical and various other needs of the community of Shirva and surrounding efficiently through the generous help from its sponsors and well-wishers.

Entry for Uswas Dashamanotsav is free and open to all. managing committee of Uswas is inviting all the well wishers through this forum for this event.

Shirva Fest – 2013 on Feb 8, 2013 :

The Uswas committee also has decided to celebrated Shirva Fest in Dubai on Friday,  February 8, 2013 at Deira Sheraton Hotel, Dubai. Kindly mark this day in your calendar.