by Lynn Saldanha - Australia
Victoria, Sep 18: Not many Mangalorean Catholics know that Monthi fest, believed to be typically Mangalorean, and the Bandra feast of Mumbai, have a special link. And the link is in the name of Mount Mary. In the Mangalorean context, it is Monte Mariano (literally Mount Mary), the shrine at Farangipet that Tipu Sultan’s soldiers left alone in the frenzy of obliterating the identity of our community in 1784. Monthi evolved out of Monte in Monte Mariano.
Somewhere along its evolution in Mangalore and the surrounds, the feast of nativity of Mary absorbed the rituals of celebrating the first seasonal harvest of rice and the showering of flowers. The Mangalorean Catholics were predominantly rice farmers and vegetable growers. It was just proper that the vegetables too took their place in the feast. A meal with nine vegetable preparations is an important part of the celebration of Monthi fest.
The Mangalorean Catholic Association of Victoria brought together a large number of members and non-members to this special celebration on Sunday, Sep 16, at the Manley Hall, at Camberwell St Mary's Anglican Church.
The Committee of the MCAV made up of Lyn Saldanha, Janet D'Mello, Cuby Martis, Irene Andrade, Colin Fernandes, and Bert Naik had ensured that the function was well planned, and every little detail well taken care of.
The celebration included several attractions. There was, of course, the mandatory 'Sokkod Sangatha Mellyam' and 'Moriyek Hogolsiyam'. Children lined up with flowers in hand to greet Mary. A grand choir was led by Janet D'Mello, MCAV's Social Secretary.
Bert hosted the Trivia on Mangalorean history where all the guests wracked their brains to recollect past and present moments of significance in Mangalore. In addition, all the guests tried their luck in bingo with cash prizes awarded to winners.
The highlight of the event, ‘Novem Jevan’ (traditional Mangalorean vegetarian meal) which consisted of nine vegetarian dishes including the highly sought after Pothrade and the Vorn for dessert. Guests were delighted with the colourful array and mouth-watering flavours of the home-cooked dishes prepared by members of the group. Sme went for the fourth helping of the vorn with the excuse that they had not tasted the delicacy for the last 30-40 years.
The event turned out to be a grand success jam-packed with a mixture of tradition, fun and excitement. It was an excellent opportunity for Mangaloreans to come together to celebrate the Nativity as well as mingle amongst one other.
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