Report & Pictures by Wilson Saldanha, Shirthady/Kuwait
Kuwait, April 16: The Konkani Community of Kuwait (KCK), comprising of Konkani speaking people residing under four parishes organized "Wilfy Nite" on Friday,15th April 2016 at the American International School, Kamel Al Rayes Auditorium, Maidan Hawally,- Kuwait from 5:00 pm onwards.
The melodious event featured performances by prominent artistes from Mangalore Konkan Maina Meena Rebimbus, Veena Rebimbus Pais and Vishwas Rebimbus, Babita Pinto, Musician Joswin Pinto, compere Leslie Rego and Kuwait's popular Singers Golden voice of Konkani fame Rony D'Cunha along with his his wife Jasmine D'Cunha, GVOM Morvine Quadras, GVOM Gladys Lorena, GVOM Orson D'Souza, Jaison Lasrado and Lancy Rodrigues.
The program started with introduction by Anil Fernandes followed by prayer song " Namo Namo". After MC Leslie Rego's Entry, Rebimbus family Meena, Veena & Vishwas started the event with song " Dev Booro Dees Divndi". The evening was filled with superb soul stirring music, songs, style and performances by visiting and local artistes to the tune of Joswin Pinto, Adrian Gomes and their musical team. Visiting artistes Meena Rebimbus, Veena Rebimbus Pais, Vishwas Rebimbus, Babita Pinto along with local singers Rony D'Cunha, Jasmine D'Cunha, GVOM Morvine Quadras, GVOM Gladys Lorena, GVOM Orson D'Souza, Jaison Lasrado and Lancy Rodrigues rocked the stage with the choicest selection of Wilfy's Konkani music and dance tunes such as Moga ye, Maria, Bapaichya Manak, Saanz Zali Re, Shimpti, Sounsaranth Kitem Asa Them, Mog Muzo Kor Ida, Muzo Desh Maka Mogacho, Aya Mest, Mai Sunh, Kankna Wala, Sopnanthlo Raai, Vanitha Vandana Shalini, Maza Maar, Bikari, Mai Bashem Mujya.
"Mai Sunh" by Meena Rebimbus, Babita Pinto and Morvine Quadras passed sentimental waves among the audience. "Muzo Desh Maka Mogacho" by GVOM Semifinalists of Kuwait was like a flower bouquet of singing flowers which took the audience to back home with patriotism feeling. Babita supported by GVOM's Cutest Singer Rilson's "Shimpty", Vishwas- Babita's "Kanknawala", Rony-Jasmin's "Aya Mest" and Jaison- Lancy's Bikari were much appreciated for acting with typical costums. Veena's song on Fathers made every men proud as very few acknowledged fathers in songs, articles or stories as most of them are favoring on feminine side.
After Rony D'Cunha's " Vanitha Vandana Shalini" he noticed Kuwaiti Singer Mubarak Al Rashid in the crowd and invited him to stage and made him to sing Wilfy's ever popular song "Mog tujo Kitlo Ashello" along with local singers and audience. The whole crowd stood up and sung with them with a huge cheer which was a surprise for everyone. Adrian and team were ready with the music without any preparation which shows their talent and professionalism.
Audience thoroughly enjoyed rib tickling jokes with a flow of social theme covering present life style and people's changing mentality by Lancy Rodrigues, Jaison Lasrado, Stephen Machado, EAEN Konkani cine actor Lucy Aranha, Satish Lobo, Rajesh Fernandes, Louis D'Costa and Anil Menezes which were written and directed by Kuwait's popular writer, poet, singer, actor and director Lancy Rodrigues. The background scores were provided by Kiran Gonsalves. Foot tapping dances were performed for live songs by Kuwait's popular groups Desi Strikers (Choreographer Mabel Suvarna), Jovas XLNC (Choreographer Sunil & Jyothi), Jhankar (Choreographer Laveena) and Ballerines (Choreographer Sudhi & Lolita).
Fr. Noel D'Almeida who was back bone of the event delivered Welcome speach and also thanked everyone who helped to make it possible. Sponsors, artists, choreographers, singers and musicians were felicitated with flower bouquets and mementos by Fr. Mathews K. Francis, Fr. Noel Almeida , Fr. Xavier D'Souza, Fr. (Dr.) Antony Lopez, Fr. Franco Pereira, Fr. Blany Pinto and Deacon Sylvester D'Souza.
The programme was well compered by Leslie Rego who provided extra sparkle to the event and regaled the audience with his witticism, resonant voice, naughty looks, poise, posture, sense of humor, knowledge and skill. Music was provided by Music Maestro Adrian Gomes (Keyboards / Trumpet), Joswin Pinto (Lead / Rhythm Guitar), Alston Gomes (Lead / Rhythm Guitar / Alto Saxophone / Trumpet), Sajeev (Tabla / Dholak / Congo), Arnold Lobo (Acoustic drums) and Manoj (Bass Guitar). The Sound and Lights were provided by Waves (Anand D'Souza). The program came to an end with song " Mog Kora Mai Baas Konknecho" in Wilfy's voice along with all singers. The evening was a feast for Wilfy’s fans which took them down memory lane, with wholesome entertainment.