Doha: MCC’s Mangalorean Day – A Showcase of Talents.
Media Release
Pics: Melwyn Fernandes
Doha, Nov 1: The Mangalorean Day organized by the Mangalore Cricket Club (MCC), Qatar on 31st October 2008 at the DPS-MIS school, Doha, was indeed a family day of fun, games, music and dances. Over 155 participants put up many different items namely solo songs, Group dances, Comedy skits, Mando and Tableau. Food stalls were also setup. The participation of the community was overwhelming as they contributed delicious home cooked delicacies such as sanna, appam, panpole, Pothrade, vada sambhar, sheera, puri, chicken items like sukka, Manchurian, pepper, barbeque, chicken & Mutton Biryanis and curry, noodles, pasta, cakes, gulab jamoons, homemade chakkulis, rava ladoos, kulfis and Sugarcane were all selling like hot cakes in the food stalls.
The program started off with fun games at 4:00 pm for children, ladies and men of all ages, like pick the pieces, 50 mts & 100 mts track events, walking race,spoon & marble race, sack race, hopping and family race. The participation was tremendous.
The cultural program that followed began with a Prayer by Daphne Lobo. The beautiful welcome song was performed by Sheela Lewis and her group.
In his welcome note the President, Alwyn D’Souza highlighted the dual purpose of the day’s events, which was to provide an opportunity to the Mangalorean Community to showcase their talents and also to generate funds towards helping the sick, the needy and the less fortunate ones back home as MCC has been doing over the past 16 years of its existence.
The 2nd runner-up of the just concluded Gulf Voice Of Mangalore, Edward D’Souza was then felicitated along with the other finalist from Qatar, Mrs.Sunitha Tellis. MCC members who were semifinalists of GVOM were also felicitated, so as the choreographers of the evening’s dances, the skit directors, versatile singer Joyce Mascarenhas and musician Agnelo Rodrigues were also honoured by the President Alwyn D’Souza and the Vice-President Rocky Fernandes for their contribution to MCC and the Mangalorean community.
The tiny tots of the Mangalorean community were not left behind. They performed an Action song that was choreographed by Judith D’Souza. A heart stealing dance was put up by the teenagers. They set the stage on fire as they danced to the tunes of “Didi” choreographed by Celia D’Souza. Joyce Mascarenhas, the Usha Uttup of Qatar, who has been associated with the Bollywood industry also performed two songs with her in-imitable style and got the audience to dance to her songs. She was backed-up by Agnelo Rodrigues on the keyboard.
Future Kareena and Shahid Kapoors rocked to the tunes of “Mauja hi Mauja” choreographed by Mrs. Kavitha Tauro . It was indeed a lovely sight to see the kiddies dance so gracefully. Sunitha Tellis, Finalist of GVOM sang Meena Remimbus’ “Ami Poinari”. An Angrezi – Desi performance was given by the Mesaied girls as they danced to the tunes of “Papu can’t dance”, “Khuda Jaane ke’ and a remix number from the movie Kismat Connection. The Al Khor group’s comedy skit “Pascu zalo Puscu” got people laugh and roll on the floor. The skit was scripted and directed by Bonaventure D’Souza. The Mesaieed group was not left behind either. They endlessly tickled the bones of those gathered with their skit “Government Hospital” scripted by Ronald Rodrigues.
The married adults showed their mettle when they gracefully danced to the tune of “Dhoom Tana Tana” choreographed by Mrs. Annet Venkat. Second runner up of GVOM, Edward D’Souza with the backup of Agnelo’s music sang Wilfy Remimbus’ song “Jasmina”.
The handsome hunks then stole the hearts of the audience as they danced to “Dus Bahaney & Ganpat” number which was choreographed by Karina Lobo and Manoj Menon. The ‘Dream Girls’ danced to a Medley of Konkani songs composed by Norbert Pereira. Mrs. Nancy Pereira was the choreographer.
The highlight of the evening was the youth program, “Reach out to India”. The youth brought out the culture, tradition and costumes of various parts of India through a tableau to which Uday and Urmila Rosario lent their voices. They then danced to A.R. Rehmans ‘Vande Mataram’. The tableau was put together by Mrs. Bessie D’Souza.
Patrick D’Souza and his group put together a collection of famous Kannada, Tulu and Konkani songs through the Maando.
Joint Secretary, Riana Pinto proposed the Vote of thanks. Joyce Alvares conducted the Bingo and Raffle draw where in a lot of fabulous prizes including a Doha-Mumba-Doha ticket and lots of attractive prizes were up for grabs. The Bumper Prize of the draw was won by none other than Edward D’Souza, the 2nd runner up of GVOM.
The show was compeered by Florent D’Souza and Ms Jovita Pereira with impeccable style. DJ Glylon Rodrigues provided the sound for the evening.
All the proceeds of the first edition of MCC’s Mangalorean Day celebrations will be utilized to help the sick, the needy back home.
MCC wishes to thank all the patrons, participants, volunteers and all those who have made this event a success.