Media Release

Toronto, May 31: Radio Mango, the first ever Konkani channel that created history in North American hemisphere by broadcasting first ever Konkani programme in 2012 under the slogan of 'Amchi Bhas..Amchem Sangeeth', has gloriously completed five years.

Following previous years' success, this year too Radio Mango decided to mark its 5th anniversary by acknowledging the contributions of personalities who have immensely contributed to enrich Konkani language, tradition and culture in Canada. This year, the coveted ‘Radio Mango-2017 Award’ goes to 2 deserving individuals - Do..Re..Me..Fa..fame Gerry D’Mello from Bendur, Mangaluru and Silviano Barbosa, of Cuncolim, Goa.This is the third year in succession Radio Mango Award is being given for exemplary contribution to the Konkani language in Canada.

Gerry D'Mello

Silviano Barbosa

In addition, the High Five to Radio Mango event this year, two new Community Awards are being instituted, in memory of the late Walter Hayde, a strong supporter of Radio Mango and the Konkani speaking community. This Community Award goes to two organisations that are totally dedicated to preserving and propagating the culture and heritage of Mangaluru and Goa - The Mangalorean Association of Canada (MAC) and Goa Overseas Association (GOA).

These awards will be conferred on the recipients during the 5th anniversary celebrations scheduled to be held on June 23 at GTA's The Best Banquet Hall and Convention Centre – Claireport.

Gerry D’Mello Bendur – A Multifaceted Personality

Gerald D’Mello, popularly known as Gerry D’Mello Bendur, is gifted with many talents and was groomed as artiste at the parish of Bendore under Catholic Action League (CAL) – one of the oldest and most popular youth associations in the diocese of Mangaluru, India. Gerry’s love for Konkani and Konkani culture saw him emerging as a Konkani poet, writer, singer, stage actor, compere and in short, an ambassador of Konkani and Konkani culture. Besides, he was a regular contributor for Konkani periodicals such as Raknno, Divo, Kannik, Mithr, Jhelo and for Konkani web portals like Maibhas.com, Kavita.com and Daaiz.com etc, and his poems have featured in all these periodicals. One of his poetries was published in the decennial magazine ‘Konkanni Utsav’ of Konkani Sahitya Academy, Karnataka. All India Radio and Radio Mango in Canada have aired his poetry. His emceeing skills are inimitable. He has compered many high level programmes and events. As a lyricist and composer he has composed many songs and among them 'Mai' (Mother) and 'Sthri' (Woman) have won the hearts and minds of music lovers. He has won many prizes in singing on various levels. As an actor Gerry acted in many Konkani plays. His lead role as 'Jesus' for record breaking 16 times in 'Somiyaso Pashanv" (Passion play) staged by Konkani Natak Sabha, Mangaluru in 1984 is still remembered by many even today. Apart from composing songs, as a singer he has also performed in Wilfy Nites, Jerome Nite, Henry Nite, Claud Nite, Melwyn Peris Nite and Kala-Saanz events in Canada.

It is the result of active role played by Gerry and other like-minded people in the formation and nurturing of a Mangalorean Association in Oman (MCCP) in the year 1992, the present generation is able to avail of the community services and facilities extended by the institution. He was one of the key persons who triggered highly cherished Monthi Fest celebration in Oman back in 1988 and led Monti-Fest celebration committee for long 16 years until his departure from Oman in 2006.Besides MCCP, he is also one of the founding members of Borpi Mithr–Muscat, the Konkani Writers’ forum in Oman. As a community leader he has served as Vice President in the Parish Council of Sts.Peter and Paul Church – Ruwi, Muscat and was the first Mangalorean to handle this leadership role in the history of Ruwi Parish in Oman.

In the year 2001 Gerry’s love for Konkani Music has motivated him to author the column Do..Re..Me..Fa.. in Daijiworld web portal. This popular music column is still running, with prominent Konkani music stalwarts being featured in his column. Through this medium he has managed to convey the world about the greatness of native talents and their dedication and sacrifices for Konkani music. He has won the prestigious Dr T M A Pai Konkani Book Appreciation Award for his book 'Do..Re..Me..Fa..Vollke Gronth - Poilo Bhaag', a shining feather on Gerry's cap. Whatever his literary achievements are, he humbly gives entire credit to his "Literary-Guru" Clarence Pinto Kaikamba for all his encouragement, direction and support.

After moving to Canada his love for homeland motivated him to venture into Konkani Writers’ Forum – Konkani Sangathi, in Canada, the first-ever in North America. He is actively involved in various Konkani spiritual and cultural activities organized by the Mangalorean Association of Canada and Canara World Foundation Inc. The active participation in Monthi-Fest,Wilfy Nite, Henry Nite,Claud Nite and Melwyn Peris Nite in Canada is another feather in Gerry D’Mello’s cap.

As the Canada correspondent of world’s renowned daijiworld.com, Gerry has been covering socially relevant issues, events, reviews and interviews exclusively for daijiworld.com web portal. He is performing on Radio Mango in Canada as the news reader and guest co-host since its inception.

Silviano Custódio Barbosa - Author, poet, producer and lyricist

Silviano Custódio Barbosa hails from Cuncolim, Goa. He was born on November 3, 1949 in Navelim, Goa. He attended the Portuguese Lyceum in his early years. He was awarded a National Merit Scholarship in 1966. Silviano obtained a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Bombay University in 1970. From 1973 to 1975, he travelled through the UK, Germany and Switzerland, and migrated to Canada in 1975. In Canada he attended the University of Toronto and Humber College, and later completed a programme on writing novels at George Brown College. Well-versed in languages such as Konkani, English, Portuguese, French and Hindi, he is an information technology (IT) professional. He is a certified CSTE software test engineer. Silviano is an accomplished author, poet, writer, producer and lyricist

Although a Canadian citizen living in Toronto, Silviano remains active in the Goan community. His Konkani poems and articles have appeared on Akashwanni Radio Goa, in 'The Goa Times', 'Cine Times', 'Goan Sports Weekly' and 'V.Ixtt'. He is a second place winner of the Konkani BhashaMandall Poetry competition in Goa in 1968. He has produced a hit Konkani CD, 'Classic Goa' and he has written all the lyrics in this album, which sold over 4,000 copies worldwide. He is known for his prolific posts on Goanet and Facebook. He has written a critically acclaimed fiction novel based in Goa and in Canada called 'The Sixth Night' in 2004. He has written two Konkani Tiatro plays. He recently completed a course in screenplay writing and he is in the process of completing a couple of screen plays including a screenplay adaptation of his novel 'The Sixth Night'. He is deeply engrossed with his mother tongue Konkani all the time. Konkani is always on his mind. So much so, that when he toured the world and when he first migrated to Canada in 1975 he talked to the four walls in Konkani.

Recognizing their relentless service to the Konkani language and the society at large, Radio Mango is deeply honoured to bestow upon Gerry D'Mello and Silviano Barboza, the prestigious 'Radio Mango Award – 2017.

'High 5 to Radio Mango', as North America’s one and only Konkani Radio programme celebrates 5 fabulous years:

There will be song and dance, free airline tickets and fabulous prizes, and 5 surprise performances on 23rd June, as Radio Mango – North America’s only radio programme celebrates yet another milestone – its 5th anniversary of live broadcasting in Toronto, Canada.

Radio Mango has earned a reputation of organising not just unique, but highly enjoyable events, year after year. This year is no different. The most anticipated event of the year is poised to offer guests the very best – the best band, Big Foot, together with DJ Conrad will keep dancers burning the floor. The best MC, our very own, Ivan D’Lima will keep the show crisp and exciting. All of this is happening at GTA’s best Banquet Hall and Convention Centre – Claireport. Five surprise performances will regale the crowd and best of all? 2 free tickets on Brussels airlines to one lucky winner of the Raffle Draw.

5 years ago, Radio Mango went on air on Saturday, September 29th 2012. Since then, it has grown exponentially, as Konkani speakers all over the world tune in every Saturday at 7 pm, in to get their dose of nostalgia and memories through songs composed and sung by legends from Mangalore and Goa. Today, Radio Mango is acknowledged and recognized all over the world as a professionally run radio, dedicated to preserving the Konkani language in Canada.

High 5 to Radio Mango is being sponsored by the best: Norman Karkada and Erin Park Lexus is the platinum sponsor, Edgar De Souza of De Souza Financial Corp and Divy Ratnasamy of Right at Home Realty are the gold sponsors, Reynold Sequeira of Remax Realty Specialists Inc and Manoj D’Cunha of Sun Life Financial is the silver sponsor, Mario Martins of 3 Way Logistics is the Achievement Award Sponsor and Brussels Airlines is the sponsor of the top prize for the raffle.

High 5 to Radio Mangotickets are moving fast. For tickets today please call Milena on 416 897 2631, Alan on 416 902 0673; or write to: milena@radiomango.ca, alan@radiomango.ca.