'The Expressions' – a Colourful Decade of Purposeful Existence...

by P. Archibald Furtado, Muscat

Barkur, Udupi, Dec 10: ‘The Expressions’, is today a reservoir of enormous goodwill, a popular banner, a household name for the art lovers settled in this northern part of the Diocese of Mangalore and a wonderful platform that provides an opportunity for its members as well as others, to demonstrate their talents to the world. It was formed to serve and support its members to bring out the best in them, with excellence and dedication, thereby contributing for the mutual growth, recognition and development.

Barkur, a historical place, had once been a nerve centre of cultural and political activities. Most importantly people living here and the places located in the neighbourhood like Sastan and Brahmmavar, voluntarily come out to encourage all the activities, either they are time tested cultural events, or the new experiments, irrespective of whether they are in the form of drama, dance or musical nites. The events sponsored by ‘The Expressions’ always tend to be held in high esteem by the people, because they stick to the announced timings, have a certain class and are worthy of spending a few hours, enjoying the experiences provided by them. The experience one gets in these programmes held once a year, continue to be cherished by the audiences for the rest of the year.

In the modern-day world, people are more happy to stay confined in the cosy environs of their homes, watching the melodrama that unfolds in their idiot boxes, either through the television programmes or DVDs. For the programmes of ‘The Expressions’ however, people are prepared to forgo their pet television series and leave their homes, because of the rich content and quality of their programmes.

In short, ‘The Expressions’ has succeeded in winning over the hearts of the people, by understanding their sensitivities, throbbing to their feelings, judging the pulse of the masses, and by giving the best in all their entertainment shows, which always cater to the tastes and preferences of the audiences.

It all started in the year 1999, in which a stage was set by several art enthusiasts, who came together and pooled the energies, resources and relations, to provide quality entertainment to the people. The latent urge to work for promoting art that was found among the  founding members,  the organizing skills that were found in them and those who joined them later and the motivation to do something different for the society and the art, or a mixture of all of these, have been the driving forces behind the concept getting a concrete shape and resulting in the formation of an Association under the leadership of Kishore Gonsales.

Kishore Gonsalves is the founder president of ‘The Expressions’, and the following are its office bearers.

Vice President - Stephen B Lewis
Secretary         -      Eric Soans
Jt. Secretary     -       Greta Picardo
Cultural Secretary -    Alwyn Andrade
Treasurer         -       Patricia D Almeida
PRO                 -       Praveen Carvalho

The team set on a mission to realize its vision, with the inauguration of the organization by Fr Benjamin D’Souza, the then vicar of Barkur church on November 14, 1999, at a glittering ceremony held at the parish ground.

Over the last decade, the organization has presented a number of events, and the following are a few special events that continue to linger in the memories of those who had the opportunity to watch them.

a)   Debut programme on December 3, 2000, titled ‘Expressions 2000’, at Mary Knoll High school ground, that was a runaway success! Fr Denis D'Sa, the then director ‘Sandesha’, Mangalore was the chief guest.

b)   Mega events like ‘Sambhram’, ‘Expressions 2005’, ‘Moagachi Aaproop Ghodi’, presented both in Barkur and Mumbai, were highly successful and continue to be cherished even now.

c)    Event organizer for ‘Karaval Milan Wilfy Nite’ at Makkala Mantapa, Brahmmavar.

d)   Organized ‘The Expressions Wilson Olivera Silver Jubilee Nite’ at the same venue along with St Mary’s Syrian Orthodox Youth Association.

e)   New experiment - ‘Tuvvi Tuvvi’ a programme from and for the children that was a roaring hit.
 
f)   Presentation of ‘Dubai Huduga,’  a popular Kannada play by Alwyn Andrade

g)   Organizing of  a workshop on personality development through public speaking, with the participation of internationally renowned toast master, Ronnie Olivera.
 
h)   Special seminar on journalism with Richie Lasrado and Raviraj Valalambe .

i)     Honouring  and felicitating many talented personalities at and around the locality and outside, over the last decade.

Now, with the completion of the first decade of its triumphant existence, it’s celebration time for ‘The Expressions’. The well-wishers of the group and those who cherish quality entertainment and talent, have been invited by the group, to witness the unfolding of  ‘Expressions 2009’,  a gala evening of fun and frolic, a celebration of a decade of  music, dance and skits, on December 20,  2009 at 05.30 pm at the spacious ‘Makkala Mantapa’ in SMS PU College, Brahmavara, which will be presided over by the Bishop of Bellary, Henry D’Souza. President of St Peter’s Association (Barkur), Richard Carvalho and the members of St Peter’s Association (Barkur), Mumbai will be the chief guests along with other dignitaries

Plans for future:

‘The Expressions’ is a perfect example for quality entertainment, a name earned through sheer hard work over the years. Because of this, today, it has grown into one of the most sought after event management teams by artists and associations in the locality, for staging their shows, as they are sure of 100% success, and a house full show.

By the way, ‘The Expressions’ as a platform, has thus far organized over a dozen mega events. At the same time, the core members of the team have also been the most visible faces elsewhere too – Choir of Barkur, bringing out CD’s of hymns, volunteering to host Konkani Kavita Feast, other social works to mobilize people for constructing roads, getting involved  in supporting the educational institutions, supporting people in need and so on so forth. Like a rich stream of fresh water, the Association has been spreading happiness along, expanding its horizons further.  People are sure to hear more about the team’s yeomen services to the society in the years to come.

Conclusion:

It is true that for the people who were once actively involved with art during their youthful days back home, and were compelled to leave the place in search of employment and earning, visiting their native places happens to be a very attractive proposition, particularly when the added attraction of  watching the quality shows arranged by ‘The Expressions’ is involved. The team has innumerable well wishers not only in and around Barkur, but also abroad. The fact that the video cassettes and CDs of several of the shows organized by the team continue to change hands in the families settled in the Gulf even now, gives ample proof of the popularity of the group there.
 
Let the decennial year celebrations give ‘The Expressions’ both an opportunity and strength to re-define their goals, in the form of more regular cultural programmes, at least twice in a year. Let them consider the possibility of publishing a yearly book, and continue to be a trusted name that is synonymous with art and culture in Barkur, in the district, and around.

Daijiworld.com will be the exclusive media partner for the event.