Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Dec 13: Christmas Christhotsava 2024, a grand Christmas musical drama by team Korea, will be held at 6 pm at Christian PU College Grounds, Udupi, on December 14. The event is jointly organized by United Christian Forum of Udupi, Lombard Memorial Hospital, Karnataka Youth Association, and the Karavali Christian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCCI).
Dr Sushil Jathanna, convener organizing committee and director of LMH Udupi, addressing the media in the press meet held on December 13 said, “This is the first time Christmas Christhotsava is happening in Udupi district. The main aim of the event is peace, unity and harmony. The event will take place in two parts. In the first part all Christian churches, schools and Lombard memorial hospital will perform various cultural programmes with Christmas messages and in the second part Cantata will be held by a Korean team.”
Fr Denis D’Sa, public relation officer of Udupi diocese and member of National Committee of Commission for Ecumenism of CCBI, said, “The Christmas Christhotsava-2024 is more than a festive celebration; it is a message of unity, harmony, and the enduring love and peace brought by Jesus Christ. Rooted in the tradition of the Italian and Latin "Cantata," Christmas Christhotsava is a soulful presentation of the story of Jesus Christ's birth through an exquisite combination of music, drama, and visual artistry. This year's production will feature a 60-member Korean and local troupe, performing a 60-minute musical drama with Kannada pre-recorded songs and music, creating a mesmerizing sound-and-light experience. Since its Indian debut in 2014, the Christmas Cantata has enthralled over 30 lac people at 1,700 venues, covering 6 lac kilometres across the country. It has also received international acclaim, with performances in Korea, the USA, and other countries. The team is also renowned for their Easter Cantata, which has touched the hearts of 25 lac viewers worldwide.”
The event will be graced by bishop of Udupi diocese Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of CSI Karnataka Southern diocese Rev Hemachandra Kumar and principal Karnataka Institute of Theology Bengaluru Rev Simon Abraham.
The Christmas musical drama by the Korean ensemble will begin at 7 pm. The event is expected to gather over 5000 attendees from all Christian denominations across Udupi.
The press conference was attended by vice president UCF Prashanth Jathanna, Fr Charles Menezes, vicar general St Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Cathedral Brahmavar Fr Matai, area chairman CSi KSD Udupi Ivan D Soans, vice president Udupi district full Gospel pastors fellowship pastor K V Paul, diocesan director for commission for Ecumenism Fr Leo D’Souza, secretary UBM district church board and trust association of SK and Coorg Ebenezer Christopher Karkada, convener pastor Manju gidhi, Syrian Malankara David, and others.