Claud D'Souza's Musical Gala Charms Canadians
Media Release
Canada, May 9: A performance par excellence by Claud D’Souza at the PCSS Auditorium, Mississauga, on the 7th annual Canara Kala Saanz, not only captivated the hearts of Canadians but sent them home with nostalgic feelings of Mangalore.
The auditorium comprising of Mangaloreans, Konkans, Maharashtrians, Goans, East Indians and local Canadians, enjoyed the action-packed afternoon that comprised various cultural activities like dandiya, cinematic dances, songs and jokes. This year CWF added yet another feather on its cap, by including authentic food in its programme, thus adding a flair to the promotion of Mangalorean culture in Canada.
The show began with the singing of the anthems of India by Lara Rebello and group and Canada by Alysha Alva.
Nancy Mendes very eloquently opened the show and welcomed the gathering. The curtain raiser was a new song “Dhees Kusheo” sung and composed by Claud D’Souza just for the Konkani Canadians. The local artistes Gerry D’Mello, Wilson D’Souza, Oscar Nazareth, Anita Prabhu, Lara Rebello, Sonia Monteiro and Manorah Pais regaled the audience with a superb display of their singing prowess. The crowd puller was the song “Cocko Doodle”, sung by child artiste Seneca Rego. Claud gave a befitting memoriam to the legendary singer the late Wilfy Rebimbus by singing the song “Adieus thuka Konkan Kogul”.
The song “Muji Mai” sung by Nicole and Nerissa D’Mello was a surprise Mother’s day gift to all the Mothers. The auditorium reverberated with the pulsating music played by Oliver and Ian Sequeira, Tony Pinto of ‘Amchem Noxib and Nirmon” fame and their troupe. Moving and grooving to the songs were dancers Shannon Pais, Vinisha and Clarissa D’Souza, Natasha D’Souza, Clementina and Lawrentina D’Souza, Joylin D’Souza, Melden and Meghan Pereira, Sid and Bhavana Pereira, Danica Coutinho, Michelle Patrao, Riya Pinto, Irita Karmalkar, Aaron and Nicole Machado, Naomi and Amit Shankar. Donald Alva superbly compered the show in Konkani.
The hilarious jokes enacted by Flavian Pinto, Claud D’Souza, Ronald Monteiro, Max Mendes, Wilson D’Souza, Melden Pereira, Priscilla D’Souza, Miriam Pinto, Nancy Mendes and Nilofer D’Souza had the audience in splits of laughter.
Paul Mathias in his felicitation speech expressed his appreciation of Claud D’Souza’s contribution to the Konkani music and as customary, Max Mendes and Martin Menezes felicitated him and a bouquet was presented by Irene Mathias. Claud thanked the local singers and musicians who complemented his performance. He was thankful to CWF for its unremitting spirit to keep the culture alive in Canada and for harnessing and giving a platform to the local talents.
Nilofer D’Souza presided over the presentation of Excellence in Education Award in honour of the late Rose and Henry Castelino and this year’s junior category award was bagged by Sid Pereira and the senior category by Nicole D’Mello.
On behalf of Canara World Foundation, Miriam Pinto thanked Claud D’Souza, the musicians, singers, artists, sponsors, volunteers, guests and the members of the organizing committee - Paul and Irene Mathias, Flavian and Miriam Pinto, Max and Nancy Mendes, Donald and Sandra Alva, Ingrid Pereira, Nilofer D’Souza and Michael Serrao.
The finale was Claud’s signature 'Non-stop Baila' which lured the crowd into taking the floor and dancing to their hearts' content, thus making this event a memorable one.
This mega event was supported by the generous sponsorship of:
Max Mendes - Max Mendes Group
Flavian Pinto - Sunlife Financials
Martin Menezes - Mortgage And Business Consultant
Nancy Mendes- Canadian Immigration
Roy Castelino - Orbit Brokers Inc
UAE Exchange - World's Trusted Money Transferer
Ayoub Ali - Barrister And Solicitor
Stan Goveas – Peace Monuments
Oliver Sequeira - Cargo Link Worldwide Ltd.
Wilson D'Souza - Mortgage Consultant
Kevin D'Souza - Statefarm Insurance
Ronald Rego - Rego Internationals
Ravi Fernandes - Trinity Auto Centre
Diwakar Kamath - Chartered Accountant
Antonio Della Sciucca - Mortgage Consultant
Desmond D’Cunha - Mango Mirchi