Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (RJP)
Mangaluru, Jan 25: Stan Nite presented by Alfred Bennis Creations was a hit with the participation of big crowd and great performance of music rendered by singers and musicians at St Agnes Special School grounds here on Sunday January 24.
The nite was held in aid of St Vincent Paul (SVP) units of Cascia and Kelarai parishes.
In the stage programme conducted prior to the nite, parish priests of Kelarai and Cascia churches Fr Joachim Fernandes and Fr Herald Mascarenhas respectively along with president of the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Roy Castelino, editor-in-chief of Daijiworld Walter Nandalike, president of Mandd Sobhann Louis J Pinto, ace dramatist Arun Raj Rodrigues, Stany Mendonca, Alfred Bennis and office bearers of SVP graced the stage.
Roy Castelino said that he was happy to see more dramas and nites being presented in the recent past. He gave a call to continue with the trend without much bothering about anything as people will come and watch whenever a good show is presented. He also appreciated the participation of huge number of artists as spectators.
Walter Nandalike praised Stan for his service to Konkani. He said both the times he visited England, he could witness nites performed by Stan. “He created history when he presented a first ever Konkani nite in Europe in 2013. He travelled six hours for practices. Whenever he comes to Mangaluru, he holds a nite spending all his holidays only for Konkani. He also spends lot of money for his love of Konkani." Walter also said that talent should be used to create music as Leslie Rego did to present music CD 'Prerann'. “Leslie is not a known musician. But he has the gift of the gab. He used it to pen the lyrics and tuned them to create a spectacular album 'Prerann'. I recommend you to buy this CD and enjoy it," Walter added.
Fr Harold Mascarenhas appreciated the work done by St Vincent De Paul. Fr Joachim said that every person has good qualities in him and he should use it for the glory of God and every person’s actions should become praiseworthy.
Louis J Pinto said Stan and Alfred together are doing the things which very few dare to do as musician and organiser respectively.
Arunraj Rodrigues was felicitated on the occasion by Alfred Bennis Creations for his service to the drama field.
Arunraj thanked the organisers for the felicitation and said “If the drama artists are recognised for their talents, they get more inspiration and encouragement. I thank all the drama lovers for this felicitation. This felicitation is not only an honour for me but for all the Konkani drama artists.”
Stany Mendonca popularly known as Stan in his 11th edition of ‘Stan Nite’ presented his old and also new numbers with well- known singers Ivan Sequeira, Ravindra Prabhu, Joseph Mathias, Jyotsna, Ashvija Mendonca, Babitha Pinto, Ashwin D'Costa and Melric Monteiro.
Ace compere of Wilfy Nite fame and renowned dramatist Eddie Sequeira compered the event. The music was provided by evergreen Pappan-Joswin duo.
Live dance by 'Thunder Guys' and comedy skit 'Aat Anyanchi Pavli' performed by Eddie Sequeira, Reeta Fernandes with Daryl Sequeira entertained the crowd.
It was revealed that Vincent De Paul society which did the spot collection at the nite for its causes managed to raise Rs 24,000.Other than this all the proceeds from the nite will go to St Vincent Paul units of Cascia and Kelarai parishes.
Stan Mendonca
Stan Mendonca from Cascia has been in love with music since childhood. Presently settled in the United Kingdom, he created history on June 23, 2013 by staging the first-ever live Konkani musical nite there. He has composed more than 300 songs in Konkani and has staged 11 musical nites. He has three Konkani albums, 'Chintna Bhogna Bhavana, 'Yego Pisolya' and 'Ashavadi' to his credit.
Alfred Bennis Creations
From its inception Alfred Bennis creations has devoted itself for the cause of Konkani music, art and culture. It has presented 28 musical nites, three Konkani religious dramas, Konkani telefilm 'Kon Tum Amchen Modhlen' and also three Tulu dramas. It had also organized diocesan-level inter-parish Christmas competitions at Kalaangann in association with Mandd Sobhann for the first time in history.