Chikmagalur: Malnad Tradition Enlivens Konkani Utsav at Basrikatte
Daijiworld Media Network – Basrikatte (RD)
Pics and input from John Monis [Dirvem editor]
Basrikatte, Oct 13: Konkani Utsav, jointly organized by Sacred Heart parish unit of Konkani Rakonn Sanchalan and the parishioners, was held at Basrikatte near here on Sunday October 12.
The programme began with the carrying of vojim, accompanied by trumpets and music, on a procession. The procession that began at the bus stand at 9.15 am wound up at the church premises. Hundreds of devotees took part in the procession, giving it a festive look. The eye-catching Malnad folk dances were a treat to the eyes to watch.
Fr Aloysius D Souza, OFM Cap of St Ann's Friary, Mangalore offered the solemn festive mass along with Fr Charles, parish priest of Sacred Heart church, Basrikatte, at 10.00 am.
Konkani Rakonn Sanchalan Chikmagalur diocesan president Cyril Rebello presided over the stage programme.
Popular Konkani novelist Jerry Kulshekar, a resident of Basrikatte for the past two and half decades and philanthropist Stany D'Silva were felicitated on the same occasion.
The traditional Mangalorean food was served to all the faithful in the afternoon.
A few goats, pigs, chickens, coconuts and vegetables which were received in the form of offerings were auctioned after the lunch. This was followed by cultural programme presented by the children which kept the audience glued to their seats.
MeMoRi, a popular humour troupe from Mangalore presented rib-tickling short skits to the thunderous applause of the packed audience.
Fr Aloysius, Dirvem Konkani weekly editor John Monis, estate owner and local politician Anil Colaco, coffee trader and Konkani activist Stany D Silva, Konkani Rakonn Sanchalan president Cyril Rebello, legendary Voveo singer Celestine Pereira, Konkani Rakonn Sanchalan Chikmagalur diocesan secretary Geetha Dias, Chikmagalur unit of minority commission president Philip Saldanha, estate owner Colin Mathias, philanthropist Franklin Saldanha, Bilal Koppa coffee planter Pramod and Jerry Kulshekar were present on the dais.