Dubai: Team Bellevision wins mega quiz contest, Konkani drama enthralls audience
Pics: Prakash D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Dubai (GA)
Dubai, May 18: Team Bellevision represented by Godwin and Anitha D’Souza scripted history by winning the inaugural Konkani Mega Quiz conducted by Karaval Milan and held at the Sheikh Rashid Auditorium here on Friday May 17.
Uswas Shirva represented by Manoj Menezes and Lavina Tauro. It was a close contest between the top four teams - Bellevision, Udentichim Neketram, Omzoorche Dive and Uswas Shirva who had made it to the finals by bagging the top-four slots at the preliminary rounds held on April 12, 2013. Udentichim Neketra was represented by Ullas D’Souza and Ashumpta Pereira while Omzoorche Dive was represented by Arthur Pereira and Reshma Pereira.
The quiz competition was conducted by well-known compere and writer Prof Vincent Alva who had specially been flown from Mangalore for the contest.
The Konkani Quiz was being eagerly awaited by one and all ever since it was announced a few months ago by Karaval Milan. Having seen Karaval Milan present quite a few successful programmes that defied assumptions in the last decade or so, the hype around the quiz contest was all justified. True to its reputation for being ‘creativity hub’ of UAE, Karaval Milan again dished out an innovative yet very successful event which in the years to come is sure to make it into the calendar of many more associations not only in UAE but across gulf countries.
The evening at the Sheikh Rashid Auditorium began with well-acclaimed compere Roshan D’Silva introducing quiz master Vincent Alva to the gathering. He then invited the Karaval Millan office-bearers President Naveen Sequeira, Rony Byndoor, Eric D’Souza, Wilson D’Sa and Charles Mascharenhas to dais. The finals of the Konkani Mega Quiz was then inaugurated by lighting the lamp by dignitaries present on the dais. This was followed by the invitation to the four finalists teams escorted by the Karaval Milan members to the dais before Karaval Milan president Naveen Seq ueira officially invited Vincent Alva to the dais to conduct the quiz competition.
Vincent Alva began by thanking the organisers for picking him to be the quiz master for this historic first-ever Konkani mega quiz. He had a special word of praise in honour of Karaval Milan and all Konkani associations in the UAE and across other GCC countries for their unparalleled efforts in promoting and nurturing Konkani through various initiatives amidst their busy professional life. “The role and initiatives of Konkani-speaking people and organizations of the Gulf region in popularising and enhancing Konkani should always be acknowledged. You have been real vanguard for Konkani and I sincerely hope and believe that all of your will always contribute your mite in nurturing and nourishing Konkani in your own little ways,” he added.
The quiz contest was all about Konkani literature, traditions, culture, in one phrase ‘Konkani in daily life.’ It was an interesting and informative contest wherein contestants as well as the audience were kept on tenterhooks till the end. Though questions were easy, the contest was tough as all the four teams fought tooth and nail to the end.
The final round was the audio-visual buzzer round wherein contestants had to give the Konkani names of various traditional utensils, items, fruits, vegetables used in day-to-day life. By the end of the first buzzer round Uswas Shirva represented by Manoj and Lavina was leading with 89 points while Team Bellevision stood second with 83 points while Udentichim Neketram and Omzoorche Dive trailed distantly by scoring 41 points apiece. But the final audio-visual buzzer round relating to Konkani songs that changed the fate of the results as Team Bellevision upstaged Uswas Shirva by shooting correct answers. It was true raising to the occasion by Godwin and Anitha of Bellevision as they overcame a stiff challenge thrown by Uswas Shirva to emerge winners.
Joseph Mathias, the managing director of Merit Freight Systems presented the winners and the runners-up with trophies and prizes. Two other finalist teams, Udentichim Neketram as well as Omzoorche Dive too were felicitated on the occasion.
Karaval Milan president Naveen Sequeira proposed the vote of thanks. He specially made a mention about the main sponsors of the event Sapil Style Scents, co-sponsors Merit Freight Systems, Dunes Hotel Apartments and Integrated Freights & Logistics LLC, official web partner Daijiworld and official radio partner Radio Spice.
'Shimti Nathullo Kolo' Konkani play
The stage was then thrown open to Sannu Monis and his team who presented ‘Shimti Nathullo Kolo’, a truly super hit Konkani play written by the late Sunny A D’Souza. It was indeed a wonderful presentation of acting skills by all the actors. Nanu Marol Thottam was as usual at his best and his crisp yet effective dialogues were one of the highlights of the play.
Sannu Monis and Janet Sequeira as David and Diana played pivotal role and were able to receive appreciation from one and all. Pius James Barkur though dished out a sterling performance keeping the audience in perennial suspense till the end. Lionell Monteiro, Kinnigoli as Roshan and Adlin D’Souza Kulshekar as Reshma displayed their immense talent sending a strong message that they are ready for more such roles while Stany D’Cunha Kemmannu as Bulla provided the humour quotient to the play with his timely wit and unique mannerisms.
The background music was scored by Kethan D’Souza while famed Konkani singer Rony Byndoor sang the title song. The play succeeded in keeping the audience glued to their seats till the end even though time ticked past midnight. The plot revolved around a family living abroad and their children left back home in the care of their relatives.
All in all it was super-duper Friday for Konkani buffs of UAE with twin quality programmes presented by Karaval Milan. While Konkani quiz first-of-its-kind in the entire Gulf region, the Konkani drama ‘Shimti Nathullo Kolo’ was successful in relaying its core message and connecting with the audience.