Media Release

Bangalore, Sep 10: The Mudla Konkani Catholic Kutamb (MKCK), Bangalore East celebrated the Nativity Feast of Mother Mary, popularly known as "Monti Fest" with ethnicity and grandeur. All who were present for the celebration were renewed in the spirit of the feast.

Roman Catholics around the world celebrate the nativity of Mother Mary with great devotion but in Mangalorean tradition, it is coupled with the celebration of new harvest of crops.

The programme began with a procession by children carrying flower baskets and adults following them to the hall singing the most favorite hymn of "Sakkad Sangatha Melyan". The children offered their most beautiful flowers to Infant Mary and when people started singing "Moriyek Hogollsyan", children were thrilled to shower flowers in honor of Infant Mary.

In his homily, Fr Faustin Lobo explained the significance of this celebration and stated that Mangaloreans celebrated the feast of Mother Mary in a unique way by honoring her as the birth to life or its bountiful harvest season through her unique blessings.

The MKCK Choir group led by Godwin Martis and Lancelet Vivian, sang glorious hymns in Konkani, which raised the festive mood of the celebrants present. Fr Faustin Lobo blessed the new crop of rice kernels called as "Noven".

As an initiation to the formal programme, the joint secretary - MKCK, Lavita Pais welcomed the gathering. She also invited the guests and members to the evening of celebration and dinner (Noven Javan).

The Whitsun Wallow band entertained the audience by singing Konkani songs. As a strict adherence to cultural celebration of Monti Fest, the dinner arranged had mouthwatering authentic vegetarian Mangalorean menu. There was also the typical Mangalorean "Vorn" which was relished by all the members present.

The chairperson of this very successful celebration thanked all the members and guests for their wonderful contribution in the success of the feast. The program was wonderfully compered by Ajith Terence D’souza.