Media Release
Bahrain, Sep 15 : The Executive Committee of Karnataka Social Club under the Presidentship of Herald Botelho, also this year’s Pirjenth of Monti Fest, organised the Feast of Nativity of our Lady at the Club premises on Thursday, 12th September, 2013, at the Main Hall of the Club premises. At the outset, the Entertainment Secretary, Bertie Rego, welcomed the audience eagerly awaiting the traditional Nativity procession to commence.
This time around the Club Hall was a unique Nativity ambience, complete with light blue lamp buntings and the tunes of devotional songs dedicated to Mother Mary. The Main Nativity Altar was draped with flowing white and blue linen depicting gracefully the birth of our Lady decorated. With the Club’s Choir Group commencing to sing “Sakkad Sangatha Mellyaan, there was a touch of traditional nostalgia as the procession comprising “Pirjenth anim Mud-dhom(s)” together with freshly harvested vegetables and paddy-corn shoots from the bounties of our Lord were brought in, cheerfully followed by Members’ children colourfully dressed and all having a plate full of fresh flower-petals as offerings to our Lady. With the Choir singing “Morriyekh Hogollshiyaan”, the children delightfully offered flowers to our Lady at the traditionally decorated Altar by Ruby Alva.
Fr Freddy D’Souza and Fr Antony D’Mello, both Assistant Parish Priests at Sacred Heart Church, Bahrain, together with visiting-Priest, Fr Prakash Lobo officiated the divine Nativity ceremony. Fr Prakash Lobo blessed the Paddy-corn and candles delivering a brief prayerful Nativity peace message praising the family spirit of the Club members having the “Novem Jovann” that was specially organised at the Club. The blessed Candles were then distributed to the “Pirjenth” and Mud-dhom(s) by Fr Freddy D’Souza. Fr Antony D’Mello distributed the blessed Paddy-corn to the Members.
The Pirjenth Herald Botelho thereafter addressed the gathering wishing everyone a Happy Feast of Nativity with encouraging words. He reminded the audience that the Club had traditionally kept up the Nativity Feast day since 2001 in a true family spirit of sharing and unity and conveyed a note of appreciation to the past Club Committees who had begun and kept up this spirit of Nativity.
He thanked all those who had contributed and gave their efforts and time in one way or other to carry on with the traditional Nativity event successfully this year as well. In particular, he mentioned on the good efforts of Ladies Wing members and many Volunteers who came forward to prepare for and organise the program.
It was time then time for all to savour together the traditional “Novem” Paddy-corn laced with Coconut-Jaggery juice, that was distributed to all. All children took home sugar-cane reminding us of our younger days! We could even see some of our Members with their strong teeth nibbling and peeling of the sugar-cane beets to deliciously savour the juicy saps!
The floor was then left open for a brief Cultural Program of sing-song. dances as well as comedy skits from the Members and their children. Lavita, Grace and Cleta performed a Group Dance followed by a solo dance number by Gloria to the tumultuous applause and whistles of the audience. The Choir Group led by Sydney & team, performed with a song devoted to our Lady. Another Group dance number choreographed by Laurine Sequeira was performed by Orville , Stephanie, Reevan, Ayona, Hadley, Echelle, Mervin and Siona to the delight of the audience. Ronald Fernandes and Melba Martis sang a duet number, gloriously.
No program is complete at KSC without the tickling of funny bones. Three short hilarious skits written and directed by Mr Hillary Tellis brought forth peals of laughter from the audience. The first one titled “Keppem Kaandaan” to which the audience was all ears, was staged and performed by Valerian Noronha, Vinay Sequeira, Sharmila Sequeira and Austin Martis. The second “Cherko Konaso?” was staged by the duo Hilary Tellis & Conald Veigas in their typical humour. The last skit aptly named “Divorce” to the performance of Sydney Corea, Nirmala Fernandes, Richard Pais and Bertie Rego, tickled all but surely raised eyebrows!!
Added attraction was 10 melting Membership Draws – all of whom walked away with a bag of mixed vegetables given away for yet another vegetable fiesta or stew in their homes!!
Music was non-stop at all interludes from the Club’s very own DJ Francis Lobo.
The vote of thanks was then the prerogative of Sydney Correa, the Club’s General Secretary, who left no stone unturned in doing it with gratitude to all.
The program concluded with the dinner-announcement to a crowd of over 250 for the traditional vegetarian Nativity Novem-Jovann, fruits of and from the first bounties of our native land relished by all, completed memorably with the taste and touch of “vorn”.