Media Release

Bengaluru, Nov 13: Kalanjali 2025, the annual talent show of Konkani Catholic Association of Bangalore (KON-CAB) was hosted and organized on November 9 at Konkan Samudai Bhavan Hall Kalyan Nagar, Bengaluru. KON-CAB has been providing this platform in Bengaluru for the past more than twenty-five years, for all the Konkani associations to promote the language, traditions and culture, and to keep Konkani history alive.

The programme began with a pious prayer to St Anthony, the patron saint of KON-CAB. Rita Lobo, the secretary of Koncab, led the inaugural prayer along with the executive committee of KON-CAB and the blessings of the Almighty were invoked for the success of the programme.

KON-CAB president Arun Fernandes formally inaugurated the programme by lighting the lamp, accompanied by secretary Rita Lobo, vice president Sylvester D’Souza, treasurer Harold Lewis and cultural secretary Sunny D’Souza. Following this, Kalanjali 2025 was declared open by the president Arun Fernandes.

The programme started with Konkani singing competitions. Old and new melodies sung by the contestants of all ages took the delighted audience into the nostalgic grand era of the immortal melodies of Konkan Kogul Wilfy Rebimbus, Henry D’Souza, Mic Max, Alfred, Lorna and Eric Ozario, while the latest Konkani heartthrobs like Kevin Misquith and Prajoth D’Souza too were invoked by the competitors. The Konkani group singing competition was a great hit among the audience, with the level of competition having raised up the bar to international concert standards with tenors, baritones and sopranos.

The singing competition was followed by fancy dress competition, showcasing new and innovative ideas, which literally took the audience agape with astonishment. Right from the tiny tots, to the super senior citizens, displayed mesmerizing outfits and props. A real treat for the eyes of the audience.

Soon after, a short Konkani comedy skit competition was held which was enjoyed by the packed crowd in the auditorium. The witty one liners and comedy element was brought out well by the performers.

Then came the much awaited, icing on the cake for all the Kalanjali programmes organized by KON-CAB from the past several years, the inter-association dance competitions for various categories which mesmerized the mood of everyone in the packed auditorium. Right from the dashing teens to the enchanting 35 years and the show stopper performances by high energy youth dancers left the audience in awe, as the dancers from different associations ignited the stage with their performances.

Kalanjali has just been improving by the years, in which children, the young and young and heart perform to the awe of everyone in the audience. This year too, the performances were a class beyond par excellence and the audience enjoyed every bit of it. There was a record number of participants and the programme went on for a nonstop 11 hours. The youngest participant was 8 months while the oldest person to clim the state was 88 years. This shows the variety of participants coming to the Kalanjali stage.

The competitions were so nip and tuck that the esteemed panel of judges found it difficult to declare the winners. As every year, this year also, the competitions were judged by well qualified and experienced judges, who were maestros in their respective categories.

Its noteworthy that the judges chosen by KON-CAB over the years for the programme are highly professional and have sound knowledge in the respective category of events. This year the panel of judges included:

• Singing: Luvena Rangel, Prajwal Mathias and Arun Patrick D’Silva
• Fancy dress and comedy skit: Sr Lucy Mascarenhas, Edward Victor D’Souza, and Zaveena Lobo
• Inter association dance: Snavaja, Rishika and Bharathi

Just before the Stage programme commenced, there was a solemn ceremony in remembrance of late Eric Ozzario. A commentary on the life and achievements of Eric bab were presented along with photo slides of his eventful life, followed by a Medley of his compositions were sung by Vocal Horizon group. As Gurkhar of Mandd Sobbhan he has indeed left a rich legacy and a school of teaching for budding artists, musicians and writers from the Global Konkani community. Chief guest Leo Quadros, FKCA chairman Anthony Gonsalves, Presidents of all associations, presiding officer Arun Fernandes and other dignitaries paid their respects to Eric-bab by offering floral tributes to his portrait. KON-CAB salutes the Musical Guru, Litterateur and Crusader of Konkani Eric bab.

It was an Honour to have Leo Quadros - Chairman of Canterbury Group as the chief guest for the programme, who is a well-known entrepreneur and philanthropist. He was escorted to the dais by president Arun Fernandes. The guest of honour Anthony Gonsalves, chairman of FKCA, was ushered by secretary Rita Lobo. The presidents of all Konkani associations of Bengaluru, were also present on the dais for the final leg of the function. President of KONCAB Arun Fernandes honoured the chief guest and also the guest of honour, and all the presidents of other Konkani Catholic associations of Bengaluru, present on the dais, followed by his Presidential Address to the gathering.

Leo Quadros, in his speech lauded the efforts of KON-CAB in arranging such a mega event, for the past 25+ years. He also appreciated the performance of the participants and observed that the quality of the programme was getting better and better each year. He also stressed the need for parents to encourage their children to do whatever they are best at and also urged the younger generation to be more involved in sports and extra-curricular activities.

Anthony Gonsalves, the guest of honour congratulated the KON-CAB president Arun Fernandes and his committee for putting up such a grand event and wished KON-CAB the very best for all their future endeavours, and also ensured all the required support from FKCA.

The chief guest, guest of honour and presidents of all associations distributed the prizes to the winners of the cultural competitions. About 14 associations from Bengaluru took part at Kalanjali 2025, and the auditorium was packed with a large number of participants from all Konkani associations from Bengaluru and even a larger number in the audience.

Last year’s title holders, KON-CAB were Runners up, and the Rolling Trophy and Winners Trophy was lifted by KCA Mathikere by bagging the highest points, this year.

The programme was compered by Jhonas D’Souza and Reema, with support from Sylvia, Kevin, Priyanka, Mable, Alita, Minal, Sunil, Sylvia, Helen, Harold, Gregory, Sylvester, Ida, Amit, Roshan, Elton, Stalen, Sladen, Vinuthan and other committee members of KON-CAB.

Secretary Rita Lobo proposed the vote of thanks and expressed her gratitude on behalf of KONCAB, for their support and cooperation, as the curtains came down on the full house entertainment programme.

The winners of the various categories held at Kalanjali 2025 are as follows:

• Konkani singing solo below 10 years: Riona Noronha from SVP Konkani Kutam
• Konkani singing solo 10 -15 years: Niharika from Sezari Bommanahalli
• Konkani singing solo 15-20 years: Ronson Serrao KCA Mathikere
• Konkani singing solo 20 years and above: Joette D’Souza from KON-CAB
• Konkani duet singing: Marlin & Glanis from BKCS Koramagala
• Konkani singing group below 15 years: Konkan Melodies from KCA Mathikere
• Konkani singing group above 15 years: Laran Tharan from KCA Mathikere
• Fancy dress solo below 5 years: Aurora Fernandes from BKCS Koramangala
• Fancy dress solo 5-10 years: Naomi D’Souza from KON-CAB.
• Fancy dress solo 10–15 years: Niharika from Sezari Bommanahalli
• Fancy dress solo 15-20 years: Shaun Sequeira from KCA Mathikere
• Fancy dress 20 years and above: Sunil Tauro from KCA Mathikere
• Inter-Association comedy skit: Garadi Shivanna MBBS & Group KON-CAB
• Inter-association dance above 35 years: Retro Patakis from KCA - Bangalore
• Inter-association dance below 15 years: Wonderkids from KON-CAB
• Inter-association dance 15 years above: Troopers from SVP Konkani Kutam

Dr Ronald Colaco and family were the patron sponsors of the programme and Austin Roach and family were the main sponsors. Silvian Noronha and family and Vinok Sequeira family were the co-sponsors. Melvin Goveas and family and Brilliant Printers were the event sponsors. KON-CAB is grateful and ever indebted to these sponsors and all the other donors who generously supported the programme.