Chikmagalur: Malandoor Church Konkani Utsav Attracts Many

Daijiworld Media Network - Chikmagalur (RD/CN)

Chikmagalur, Dec 8: ‘Konkani Utsav’, an extravaganza of Konkani traditions and customs was held at St Lawrence Church, Malandoor, near here, on Sunday December 7.  It was jointly organized by St Lawrence parish and Malandoor unit of Chikmagalur Catholic Rakan Sanchalan, with the chief objective of creating awareness among parishioners about the need to safeguard their age old traditions, culture, customs, and practices, in the Malnad region.

The programme began at 9.00 am on Sunday with a colourful procession of vojims carried in automobiles from the main bus stand to the parish grounds. 

Fr Francis Rodrigues, editor, ‘Raknno’, Konkani weekly Fr Harry D’Souza, editor, ‘Sevak’ Konkani monthly, Malandoor parish priests Fr Joseph Madtha and Fr Harry John, offered the Eucharist at the altar erected on the church portico.

Freshly-brewed coffee and Mangalorean delicacy ‘Patolleo’ were served to the gathering after the holy mass.

Cyril Rebello, regional president, Konkani Prachar Sanchalan, Felix Benny, president, Malandoor unit, Dennis Benny, vice-president, Malandoor parish council, unit treasurer and main organizers Edward Pinto and coffee trader and Konkani activist Stany D’Silva, unit secretary Geetha Dias, and Dr Derrick Lobo, were present on the dais.

A sumptuous lunch with traditional pork dishes served with ‘sannas’, vegetable curry, and tender mango pickle, was served after the stage programme.

The head load offerings were then auctioned off. Cultural programmes were staged by Konkani Rakan Sanchalan units of various parishes under Chikmagalur diocese.  Mangalore-based comedy troupe ‘Memory’, entertained the parishioners with their jokes.  Kiran Carlo Basrikatte compered the cultural events.

A large number of parishioners including those from neighbouring parishes attended the Konkani Utsav. Gerry Rasquinha compered the programme.