Udupi: ‘The Expressions'Barkur - Grand Decennial Celebrations
Report by Kevin Rodrigues
Pics by Mayur Studio Barkur
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Dec 21: ‘The Expressions’, which has emerged as a household name for the art-loving population of the region since the last ten years, celebrated the completion of its ten eventful years, by organizing a function at the sprawling ‘Makkala Mantapa’ in Brahmavar on Sunday December 20. The organizers were exuberant, a sense of fulfillment was in the air, the crowd was enthusiastic and ecstatic, while the mood of the dignitaries, who graced the occasion as well as of the performers, was upbeat.
‘The Expressions’, which was founded in the year 1999 by a few youngsters who were driven by the zeal to bring out the best from the talented people of the area, has come a long way since then. It has secured a place of pride in the hearts of the connoisseurs of dance, music, folklore and drama, by ensuring quality, variety and punctuality in their programmes.
Bishop of Bellary, Henry D’Souza, presided over the decennial celebrations. Vicar general of St Mary’s Cyrian Orthodox Church, Brahmavar, Fr David Crasta, blessed the event. Chief guests, Ivan Rebello, general secretary of St Peter’s Associations (Barkur) Mumbai, Fr Denis Saldana, parish priest of Holy Family Church Brahmavar, Fr Remigius Aranha, parish priest St Peter Church, Barkur, graced the occasion. Founder president and convener of ‘The Expressions’, Kishoo Barkur, and president, Alwyn Andrade were also at the dais.
Bishop Henry D’Souza was accorded a grand welcome by the dignitaries, office bearers of ‘The Expressions’ and the people, at the entrance to the venue.
Alwyn Andrade welcomed the guests and the people gathered for the event. Secretary, Eric Soans, placed the achievements of ‘The Expressions’ during the last ten years, before the people, through a brief report.
In his address, Fr Remigius Aranha, said that ‘Expressions’ apparently means expressing oneself. ‘The Expressions’ not only has been channelizing the hidden talents and dreams of its office bearers, but it has also offered the golden opportunity and a platform to perform, for the people of the region where multi-talented people abound, he said. He wished, that the organization will continue to provide a platform for scores of people to bring out their hidden talents in the coming years. While extending his best wishes to the organizers and the office bearers of ‘The Expresions’, he blessed the occasion.
Speaking to the people present, Fr Denis Saldanha, noted that being born as a human being is the greatest gift the Lord has given to the people. “Our lives become worthwhile when we utilize the latent talents gifted to us by the God. Accordingly, ‘The Expressions’ has come as a godsend opportunity for the people here to kindle their interests and make use of their hidden talents. It has provided a platform for hundreds of people to reach their goals. Let those behind this organization be gifted with God’s blessings and blissful life, and let they continue to provide platform for the talented people to perform,” he said and extended his best wishes to all the members on the decennial celebrations of ‘The Expressions’.
General secretary, Ivan Rebello, conveyed his best wishes to all the office bearers and activists of ‘The Expressions’ on the completion of ten meaningful years.
Fr David Crasta, in his address, noted that ‘The Expressions’ has been working hard to enable the people of the region, known as the Konkani motherland, to express themselves. Noting that all the founders and those behind ‘The Expressions’ are both talented and driven by the urge to help art and talented people, he wished that more and more people will come together to support the efforts of ‘The Expressions’ so that it can grow stronger and reach out to more people. He extended his best wishes to the organization for a brighter future.
Bishop Henry D’Souza, in his presidential address, extended his best wishes to Kishoo Barkur and the entire team that has been working tirelessly for the success of ‘The Expressions’. “A decade back, a seed had been sown, and now, ‘The Expressions’ has grown into a robust tree. We have to teach to the youth to dream to be big, to become great singers, artistes, etc. At the same time, they need a proper guide to fructify their efforts, and ‘The Expressions’ has been doing exactly this,” he noted. He congratulated Kishoo Barkur and Alwyn Andrade and honoured them by draping shawls around them.
Kishoo and Alwyn then presented mementoes to all the guests present, in memory of their dream child’s successful completion of a decade in public service.
Fr David handed over mementoes to all the mega sponsors and co-sponsors of the event.
Irene Cardoza proposed vote of thanks. The programme was compered by Valerian Crasta.
At the beginning, Kishoo, along with the others in ‘The Expressions’, sang the decennial song of the organization. The variety cultural programme presented thereafter, included dances, skits etc., which were presented by the people belonging to all the age groups. Ronald Olivera was the emcee for the cultural programmes.
The programme came to an end, even as the people were rearing to lap up more of the entertainment, fun and talent. The entire ground, on which the programme was organized, was full of people since the beginning, till the end.
Former president of ‘The Expressions’, Denis Rodrigues, thanked the people for attending the programme, and all the sponsors, for supporting the event.