Report and pics by John Peter Fernandes
Daijiworld Media Network - Nottingham/UK (GA)
Nottingham, Apr 14: Under the flagship of “Mangalorean United Konkani Association” (MUKA), the Mangalorean Catholics living in Nottingham celebrated the Easter with much religious fervour and cultural gusto. The event was held at the Bramcote Hall, Nottingham and was attended by more than 140 people. A day-long programme helped people from different ages and profession to reconnect their Konkani and Mangalorean roots. The attendees included not only from far away places but also the members of Konkani Catholic Association, Manchester and UK Konkans, London.
The Easter Sunday programme commenced with the Holy Eucharist celebrated in Konkani by Frs Roshan Pinto and Olvin Veigas SJ, supported by Nottingham’s melodious choir group. In his homily Fr Roshan said “Jesus Christ saved humankind from the eternal condemnation of hell and gained forgiveness for our sins by submitting himself on the cross on Good Friday. He died on Good Friday and rose on Easter Sunday to give new hope and life to those believe in him.”
Soon after the Mass, Deepak Alvares, president of the Association welcomed the gathering by highlighting MUKA’s success story. It is the fourth successful year that Easter is celebrated in Nottingham with such cultural pomp and religious fervour. The secretary of the association Vincent D'Souza placed before the gathering the annual report and the treasurer Lancy D'Souza presented the financial report.
A four-hour-long cultural programme was compeered by Jeevan Menezes. Both adults and children performed variety of dances, skits, etc on a well decorated stage which was set up by Walter Rodrigues of “Walts Decor’’. Shalini Pinto and Dorothy Prakash staged Easter theme dance while thrilling folk dance “Adavm Bapa” was performed by Deepak Alvares, John Fernandes, Vincent D'Souza, Pius D'Souza, Harry D'Souza, and Stany Sequira. A variety of Bollywood dances were also performed by Melvia D'Souza, Jessica Aranha, Riona Buthello, Dorothy Prakash, Deena Pereira, Sunitha Rodrigues, Cynthia Noronha, Anitha D'Silva, Rachel D'Silva, and Fiona D'Silva. Konkani dance was performed by Lynette, Diana, Lavina, and Reena of KCA Group. Sunil D'Cunha acted a stand-up comedy while Vincent D'Souza, Deepak Alvares, Anitha Alvares, Sidney Pereira, Stany Sequeira, and Anitha Sequeira acted out a Konkani drama “Gasparachi Guspod.” Another short Konkni play was acted by Rony Lobo and Vinod Barboza of KCA Group. A superb Konkani folk dance was performed by John Fernandes and Anitha Sequeira which caught the attention of the crowd. The Baila dance at the end helped all those who could not go up to the stage earlier to storm to the dance floor.
Apart from the cultural programme, the gathering was enriched with cakes and soft drinks followed by delicious dinner in the afternoon. The sumptuous Mangalorean-style dinner and other delicacies were prepared by the members of MUKA under the able leadership of Harry D'Souza, Wilfred Rodrigues, Walter Rodrigues and Roopa D'Souza.
John Fernandes proposed a vote of thanks at the end and the whole crowd joined singing “Somyak Deenvasuya” for having spent such an eventful and colourful day.