News and Pics by Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai
Mumbai, Feb 19: The two-day Konkani Utsav and food fest that was organized by St Joseph’s Konkani Welfare Association (SJKWA), Mira Road at the parish auditorium culminated on Sunday February 16.
Konkani veteran theater artiste and Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy award recipient Francis Fernandes Cascia presided over the valedictory function.
St Joseph’s parish, Mira Road, parish priest Fr Dominic Vas , metro-based Malaika Group chairman Gilbert Baptist, director Marceline G Baptist, entrepreneur Robert Noronha and others were present as the guests of honor.
A procession was held at the St Joseph’s Church ground, where members of the association welcome the guests with 'God-Udak ani Paan pod Udak'.
Fr Dominic Vas and H J Govias inaugurated the procession by releasing balloons and the procession started with 'Komb and Chande 'in the front, people with Traditional dress, cheers girls, 'Vojihn and the Royal Band' followed . A crowd of people adorned with the Konkani Utsav shawls and banners waving , singing Konkani songs and dancing.
Fr Dominic Vas,H J Govias, Joy Paladka, John Crasta, Arun Noronha, Lawrance Mathias and Hillary D’Silva along with the main sponsor Gilbert Baptist and Sri Robert Noronha were on the stage. A minute's silence was kept to honour Konkani workers, writers and artists.
All the dignitaries appreciated the efforts of SJKWA in showcasing the age-old traditions and practices of Konkani communities of coastal district at the venue. Konkani novelist H J Goveas and Fr Dominic explained the traditional life of Konkani communities of coastal district.
Fr Dominic congratulated the St Joseph’s Konkani Welfare Association for their herculean effort to bring such a large Konkani speaking crowd together in Mira road for the first time. He urged people to be united as Konkanis and to up lift and pass on the Konkani Culture to their children.
Francis Fernandes expressed his surprise to see such huge crowd and said that Konakni language and culture must be kept alive for many years to come. He thanked all members of Association and the crowd. H J Govias, well known Konkani writer was felicitated with shawl, fruits, flowers,and 'maan patr'.
He spoke on the topic –‘The current condition of Konkani language and its future in Mumbai’.
All invited Konkani writers, actors and Konkani workers were felicitated with a Konkani Utsav Momento.
A variety of cultural shows that depicted splendor of Konkani community traditional wedding, Konkani music and folk-dance were presented to the audience.
There was an entertainment programme set up by Konkani associations of Mumbai –like Canara Konkani Association Borivli, song and dance, Konkani Association Orlem –Skit by Rita Albuquerque and team, Malwani Association Skit by Felix and team. Fr Henry from Malwani was present on the occasion.
The programme director Joy Paladka, SJKWA president John Crasta, general secretary Arun Noronha, treasurer Lawrence Mathias, cultural Committee secretary Hilary D’Silva, Celine Mendonca, Diego Rodrigues, Richard Mathias, John Correa and others were felicitated for their hard work in organizing the successful programme.
John Crasta welcomed the gathering. Arun Noronha proposed vote of thanks. Joy Paladka compered the programme.
The event was followed by a dinner of 'Sanna and Dukrmaas' for a crowd of 800 people. After the dinner an auction was held for the 'Vojyacho Kombo'.