Report by Nishita D’Mello
for Daijiworld Media Network – Canada
Pics Ivan Lobo
Canada, Jun 3: After passing through a severe chilly winter, the Canara Canadians started enjoying the much awaited wonderful spring season. A mega cultural event titled ‘CANARA KALA SAANZ-2007’ was staged in the St. Francis Xavier Secondary School Hall, Mississauga, Canada, on the evening of 2nd June 2007. The hall was packed to its capacity by the Mangaloreans residing in Canada. In order to provide great entertainment and to promote Canara’s rich heritage and culture, the renowned business house in Canada Max Mendes Group had organized this unique Cultural, Creative and Charity Event for the third consecutive year.
The show took off at 4.30 p.m. with the National Anthems of Canada and India followed by an introduction of Comperes for the programme by Janet D’Souza. The Comperes were Carol Lobo, Jason D’Souza, Leandra Pinto and Michelle Fernandes. Nancy Mendes introduced the Chief Guest Fr. Joe Mary Lobo who had come all the way from Chickmagalur, India. Fr. Joe Mary Lobo, nicknamed ‘Gurujee’ has been an active priest for the past 49 years, and has served in parishes, schools, and other institutions, as Pastor, Chaplain, Teacher, and Diocesan Director with various portfolios. He dedicated himself to this Mission to work for the ‘Other Sheep’, who had never heard of Christ ever before. In order to fulfill his mission, he established the Sri Christa Sharan Social Development Society and registered it. For the past 29 years, it has been rendering selfless service to the most marginalized people, especially oppressed women and children. It has been helping people with education, in health, child care, maternal care, herbal and native medicine, yoga, literacy, savings, agriculture, horticulture, forestry, watershed development and management, animal husbandry, poultry farming, vermicluture, organic farming and very importantly, self esteem and self image, specially among women.
Nancy Mendes invited the chief guest, Fr. Joe Mary Lobo to the dais. The felicitation programme followed next by the presentation of a memento by Max Mendes on behalf of the Mangalorean Community in Canada. In return Fr. Joe Mary Lobo expressed his wholehearted thanks to the Max Mendes Group for inviting him and for their support for the great cause. He also urged to support his worthy cause and gave a clarion call to adopt him as their missionary. He thanked all the donors who have generously contributed for his mission.
The main part of the Programme was the Cultural show which was really entertaining. The great Konkani, English, Latino & Hindi numbers sung by Nicole D’Mello, Nerissa D’Mello, Teresa Moraes, Joylin D’Souza, Oscar Nazareth, Rachelle Almeida, William Moraes, Vinita Chitte, Michelle D’Mello, Hayden D’Souza, Lorraine D’Souza, and Gerry D’Mello (Do…Re...Me...Fa…fame) were very much appreciated by the audience with their rhythmic hand clapping and foot tapping. Joyson D’Souza and his renowned Music Band ‘Casual Encounter’ kept the entire show lively by their superb musical accompaniment.
Various nostalgic and artistic dances choreographed by the renowned choreographers in Canada and performed by Crystal Lobo, Lillian Lobo, Janice D’Souza, Shaina Mendes, Alisha Alva, Brooke Dias, Kyle D’Mello, Aaron Mathias, Oliver Mathias, Alistar D’Souza, Dixon D’Cunha, Cassandra D’Cunha, Trisha Pinto, Dwight Rodrigues, Sidhant Pereira, Vinisha D’Souza, Clarissa D’Souza, Reanne George, Sangeetha Ganesh and Joylin D’Souza were simply superb and breathtaking.
The hilarious jokes at regular intervals of the show by great comedians like Maxim Mendes, Peter D’Souza, Donald Alva, Oswald Sequeira (‘Mog ani Maipas’ Konkani movie fame), Flavian Pinto, Prescilla D’Cunha, Herbert Lobo, Leo Rego, Lydia Sequeira, Kevin Sequeira, Ronald D’Souza, Jaison Pinto and Anita Pinto enthralled the audience with uncontrollable laughter! The Konkani Mono Skit – ‘Bijjamechem Razar’ by Michael Serrao, Melissa Serrao, Sherwin Serrao, Veronica Mathias, Rayner Mendes & Fransica Pinto was really splendid
This year’s cultural show gained momentum by the participation of not only the local Mangaloreans of Canada but also of the United States. Renowned international personality, Austin D’Souza Prabhu of Chicago, USA and his team Denzil Concesso and Mercy Concesso were part of the event who performed a rib tickling skit ‘Kattaanth Poddon Mor’ written and directed by Austin Prabhu, which sent the crowd into peels of laughter throughout its enactment.
The ‘Gurkar’ of the event and well known ‘Community Hero’ Max Mendes felicitated the generous sponsors. Delicious and sumptuous dinner was served by one and only Aloysius D’Souza of ‘Konkan Delite’ in the typical and conventional Mangalorean style. Finally, Rayner Mendes expressed thanks & gratitude to all who had contributed for the success of the function in his brief Vote of Thanks.
No doubt this ‘Canara Kala Saanz-2007’ will bring back nostalgic recollections of yesteryears and will create sweet memories for the years ahead.