Media Release
Doha, Jun 13: The Mangalore Cultural Association (MCA), Qatar, a united forum of Mangaloreans working and residing in Qatar, hosted its highly anticipated annual event, "Kalotsav-2024," at the Ashoka Hall, Indian Cultural Center on Friday, June 7, 2024, under the leadership of President Aloysius D'Souza and the guidance of Advisory members Felix Lobo, Wilfred Fernandes, and Jerald Pinto. After the roaring success of Kalotsav 2023, MCA put up yet another enthralling event featuring Doha’s local talents in the fields of music, dance, and acting. Vice president Sandeep Noronha opened the event.
Members of the St Cecilia Choir sang the MCA geeth led by Prameela Monteiro and Praveen Lobo. Dynamic and multi-talented Gladson Almeida took over and was the emcee for the evening. Accomplished singers, namely Carol D'Souza, Christle Pinto, Anjali Andrade, and Jovita Pereira, performed prominent musical numbers. Clement Fernandes, Rupert Lobo, and Carol D'Souza rendered a medley as a tribute to many legendary Konkani songwriters with the accompaniment of talented musicians Kirthan Rodrigues, Figo Rodrigues, Pradeep Menezes, and budding star Maverick Mascarenhas.
Doha Kalakars (skit) group captivated the audience with their enthralling executions of scripts written by Stany D'Souza from Bahrain. Dazzling dance performances by budding dancers of Doha Dazzlers and Doha Stepshakers, choreographed by Jovial D'Souza and Derrick Crasta, astounded the crowds. Doha Dance Squad performed under the choreography of Sean Fernandes. John D'Sa and Sebastian Mascarenhas, hailing from Goa and renowned artists of Doha, with their scintillating performance of theme-based songs, won the hearts of the audiences.
The chief guest for the evening was the Ambassador of India to Qatar, H E Vipul, and the Guest of Honor was the Indian Cultural Center, Doha-Qatar’s president, Manikantan. Emceed by Jovita Pereira, the official program began with the lighting of the lamp by the Ambassador H E Vipul, ICC President Manikantan, MCA Advisories Felix Lobo, Wilfred Fernandes, Jerry Pinto, MCA President Aloysius D'Souza, and MCA Vice President Sandeep Noronha.
In his speech, president Aloysius D'Souza spoke about MCA’s presence in Qatar for the past 16 years and how it has been the pioneer of several activities, social and charitable acts in support of our community back home in Mangalore and in Doha-Qatar.
"MCA came into existence in the year 2008 with the intention to bring Konkani-speaking Mangalorean origin people together and conduct social & cultural activities in Qatar for the benefit of promoting our language and culture to the generations to come. Funds generated through these events are saved and channeled to support financially the less privileged brotherhood back home by way of supporting children’s educational, healthcare, old age homes, and other charitable institutions," he said.
H E Ambassador Vipul was honored with a shawl, petta, and memento by the president and advisory members of the association. He then addressed the gathering with his motivating words. H E Ambassador Vipul presented the trophies to the winners of the Bhashan Spordho 2024 (Konkani Elocution Competition) and InQUIZitive (Konkani Quiz Competition) held on April 19, 2024. A token of appreciation was presented to Loyola International School for their incessant support towards MCA’s sports initiatives. Manikantan was honored with a shawl, petta, and memento by the President and Advisory members of the association. He addressed the audience and spoke highly about the unity of all the Karnataka-based associations. Other dignitaries present were presidents of other Karnataka-based associations: Ravi Shetty, president of Karnataka Sangha, Sandesh Anand, Tulu Koota Qatar, Naveen Shetty, president of Bunts Qatar, Sharmeen Lewis, vice president of Mangalore Cricket Club, and Sandeep Mallar, President of Billavas Qatar, Subramanya Hebbagilu, ICC vice president, Milan Arun, past president of ICC Anil Bollor, Vijay Rai, Dinesh Gowda, and Abdulla Monu.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the MCA Kala Puraskar-2024 to Konkani litterateur, essayist, critic, Konkani language activist, and former IAF soldier Retired Flt Lt Edwin (Eddie) Netto for his immense contribution to the cause of Konkani language and literature. His contribution to Konkani has been immense. His writing career that started at the age of 18 in 1956 lasted uninterrupted for over 6 decades. During this long period, he has written over 2700 Konkani articles, more than 600 short stories, and 30 poe He has also published 9 books so far. Due to his inability to travel to Doha for the event, the honor was bestowed on him in Mangaluru on June 1, 2024. He was presented with a prize of Rs 1 lac, a citation, a memento, and a hamper.
The Platinum Sponsors of the event were Jerry Pinto and family and ETAG Power Smith; Silver Sponsors were Al Reyada Medical and Harry and Leena Lobo; light and sound sponsors were Lancy Pinto, ELEC Qatar, Qatar Meta Coats, and Middle East Galvanizing; Support Sponsors were Al Abeer Medical Center, John and Denzil Britto, Henry and Benedicta D'Souza, Ronald and Jyothi Monteiro, Vivek and Meena Mascarenhas, Sangai Trading and Contracting Services, Al Muftah Contracting, Al Amer Garage, Al Zaman Exchange, and Merlyn D'Souza and family.
To express MCA’s wholehearted appreciativeness, the sponsors were presented with mementos as a token of gratitude. All artists who performed and made the event a grand success were thanked and were presented with a small token of appreciation. Ancita D'Souza proposed a vote of thanks expressing heartfelt gratitude to one and all who have made this event a mammoth hit. With a perfect kaleidoscope of entertainment, Kalotsav-2024 was an unforgettable experience and a roaring success with applause to all local artistes.