Dubai: Konkani Community Felicitates 'Gulf Voice of Mangalore' Stars

Daijiworld Media Network
Pics: Sujay Bendur

• Photo Album - Click Here

Dubai, Oct 26: It was one of the colourful felicitation events held in this part of the world.  Leaders of Dubai-based Konkani organizations came together to honour the first runner-up of the recently held ‘Gulf Voice of Mangalore’ Dony Correa, along with another finalists from U.A.E., Asha Fernandes.

The event was organised by ‘Famad Pernal Kuttom’ who did their best to put up a brilliant felicitation programme.  The venue was Almas Hotel Apartments hall and the event was held on Friday, October 24 evening.

The event took-off at 8.00 am with a Konkani hymn. Uttam Menezes, a popular Konkani activist, thinker and writer welcomed the gathering and gave a touching introduction to the importance and purpose of the felicitation programme.  An electrifying traditional welcome procession was held by Pokri Pernal by beating Gumtam and Dhol. Dony and Asha cut the cake and inaugurated the programme. 

“Shubhashai Dony Tuka…” a melodious as well as meaningful theme song by Mogachim Lharam fame Vincent Fernandes Cascia was sung by the group among high applauses.  

Asha Fernandes was first honourd by Stephen Mascarenhas (popularly known as Hemacharya, noted Konkani activist, convener of Daiji Dubai writers’ forum).  Asha received a shawl, floral bouquet and a citation.  Dinesh Correa read-out an exhaustive profile of the UAE’s female finalists to the Gulf Voice of Mangalore who hails from Paladka parish and is married to Renny Fernandes of Mudarangady parish. 

Dony Correa was then honoured with an Urmal, shawl, floral bouquet and citation in front of a cheering crowd of dignitaries, guests and fellow parishioners.  Clarence Fernandes, popularly known as Nanu Marol Thottam, a young noted Konkani writer and critique presented a detailed profile of Dony Correa and praised Dony for his outstanding efforts in singing, compering, leadership, social activities and sports.  Nanu also narrated the journey of the star from a typical village of Pernal up to a glorious hero of the Konkani community.  Francis Fernandes Cascia, Konkani dramatist and senior activist, presented did the honours to Dony Correa and rendered his salutations to the talented young man from Pernal parish. 

Uttam read-out a beautiful message from Dony Correa’s father David Correa, who was contacted and asked for a message to his son. The message had words of appreciation for the proud son as well as gratitude to the entire Konkani community for giving his son such a glorious opportunity.

On stage were Dayan D’Souza, Konkani writer and activist, convener of Daiji Rang Mandir, Stephen Mascarenhas, noted Konkani activist, convenor of Daiji Dubai writers’ forum and Francis Fernandes Cascia, well-known Konkani dramatist and senior activist, all of whom spoke on the occasion and praised the efforts of Gulf Voice of Mangalore first runner-up Dony Correa, finalist Asha Fernandes, organizers of the event, Daijiworld.com, and U.A.E. organizers Mangalore Konkans and wished for the further success of Dony and Asha.  Denis Correa, vice president of Famad Pernal proposed vote of thanks and expressed his gratitude for all those who made this event possible. 

Earlier, Dayan D’Souza uncovered the upcoming event of Famad Pernal ‘Dony Correa Live in Concert’ which will be
held in cooperation with all leading Konkani organizations, which will also provide platform to various Konkani talents in this part of the world. Date and venue of the event will be announced shortly on daijiworld.com, organizers said to us later. 

Joseph Mathias of Merit Freight Systems LLC, James Mendonca of Standard Fabrication and Engineering LLC, Francis Fernandes Cascia, Reginald Pereira Kamath and Cyril Nazareth were the sponsors of the event. 

The event witnessed soulful melodies by Uttam, Vincent Fernandes Cascia, Dinesh Correa, Asha Fernandes, Asha Correa and others. Arun Carlo, Alwyn Mendonca and Kethan D’Souza provided music. Dony Correa too rendered his voice for some of the songs he had earlier sung during the various stages of the Gulf Voice of Mangalore competition, which were highly appreciated by the gathering. Dinner and drinks were served after the stage event. The event concluded with a non-stop baila. 

It was a memorable event organized by Famad Pernal with a whole-hearted support by various Konkani organizations from Dubai, making this felicitation event, a huge success.  Credit must go to the organizers for giving due honour to the budding talents who, by virtue of such an event, will indeed reach newer heights.

• Photo Album - Click Here

First Gulf Voice of Mangalore - Complete Coverage: