by Jacintha Dsouza
Mumbai, Sep 16 : Konkan Taram – Jerimeri celebrated 26th Monti Fest on the occasion of its 25th ANNUAL DAY, on Sunday 11th September 2016 at 7.00 a.m., at St. Jude Church – Jerimeri, Mumbai.
“Leadership through Service” being the motto of “KONKAN TARAM”, the association had been organizing several social, cultural and liturgical activities in Mumbai. A Konkani Choir Group formed by John R. Mascarenhas in 1986 had given rise to the birth of this New Konkani Association on 1st Sept. 1991, under the team work of Fr. Paul Rego, Norbert Sequeira, John Mascarenhas & Wilson Pinto.
Konkan Taram began with the celebration of Monti Fest and continued celebrating Monti Fest every year. This year it is 26th Monti Fest, whereas this year association completed 25 years and hence it is 25th ANNUAL DAY of the Association.
During the last 25 years KONKAN TARAM has organized for it’s charitable fund raising, mega shows like “Baila Show of Eric Ozario” “Henry Nite”, “Melwyn Nite”, “Chintnen Sobdan Kornen” – Konkani Play written by Mic Max and directed by John Mascarenhas, “Antu Khuris Ailo” & “Ghott Dhor Soddinaka” written and directed by Sunny A. D’Souza, “Khunigar Novro”, and “Soirikek addkoll” - written and directed by John Mascarenhas, “Vovvu Lavvu” of Vijaya Kumar Shetty, Christmas Carols and Easter Message in All India Radio, Monti Fest Message in Lemon TV and several other shows for the growth and benefit of the association. Also social activities like ‘Sunny Nidhi’, workshops and training programmes for youth, children, elders and women were conducted. Besides helping Poor, sick and needy, Konkan Taram also honoured several great personalities like Francis Fernandes Cascia, Walter D’Souza Nandalike and also awarded with it’s ‘Kalaratna Awards’ to great artists like Dr. Charles Vaz SVD, Dr. Charles, Sunny A. D’Souza, Henry D’Souza, Lawrence Saldanha, Jerome D’Souza, Nephie Rod Pradhan, Benjamin, William Machado, Melwyn Peris & John Mascarenhas, on the occasion of TARAM GITAM audio CD release.
This year Monti Fest solemn mass was celebrated by Bishop PERCIEVAL FERNANDES & Parish Priest of St. Jude Church Fr. Lancy Pinto. After the Mass S.S.C. toppers like Xavier, Nevin Dominic, Diana, Sheryl Tauro, Rishel Walter, Noel Veigas. Special honour and award was given to ‘University topper ROYDON MENEZES, for successively scoring top marks in Mumbai University during last 3 years in the degree college of ‘French/Spanish’ language, for which he was sponsored to visit France with free tour and travel facility.
Bishop Percieval Fernandes was honored with a shawl and flower bouquet by Sr. Bibiana and Melony Cordeiro. Fr. Lancy was honored by Jovila D’souza, while Sr. Tejaswini, Sr. Dominica & Sr. Bibiana were honored by Elias Pinto, Victor Pereira & Prescilla Rodrigues respectively.
Sweets, snacks, note books, sugar cane and Novem (blessed corns ) were distributed to the children who showered flowers for Maria Bombina.
During the cultural programmse, the opening address was done by Prescilla, followed by Group Devotional Hymn by Children. John Mascarenhas invited the guests on the dias and main committee members John Mascarenhas, John Veigas, Melony Cordeiro, Walter D’Souza, Leo D’Souza and Jacintha D’Souza lighted the ‘25th Anniversary memorial lamp’. Director Fr.Lancy Pinto delivered a speech on Konkan Taram activities while the Guest Priests Fr. Gabriel Maria and Fr. Maxwell Furtado blessed the ‘Novem.’
A Konkani Comedy – “ LIMBE ANI MIRSANG’ written and directed by John Mascarenhas was well presented (acted) by Konkan Taram Members GRACY, SEVERINE, MELONY, FREDRICK, LEO D’SOUZA, MICHAEL, JOHN RODRIGUES, JULIANA, VICTOR PEREIRA and ELIAS PINTO. St. Jude Parish children and women presented songs, and dances, coordinated by Prescilla Rodrigues.