Doha : 'Konkan Dabazo' - a Stupendous Success
Media Release

Doha, Apr 11: The long wait of the Konkani community of Qatar came to an end at 5:30 in the evening of Friday, 9th April, 2010 with the staging of Mangalore Cricket Club’s annual mega show ‘Konkan Dabaazo- 2010’ in association with Al Saai Group, at the Al Ghazal Club auditorium.  The program kicked off with the introduction by the cultural secretary Reena Castelino followed by the welcome song, composed and conducted by Remy D’Souza and sung by MCC members.

MCC President Alwyn D’Souza welcomed the gathering and spoke about the various activities of the club and invited the gathering to observe a  minute’s silence  in memory of ‘Konkan Kogull’ Sri Wilfy Rebimbus. As a mark of respect a  condolence card, signed by MCC’s committee members was presented to his daughter Veena Rebimbus Pais and  her husband Arthur Pais.  A ’Condolence Book’ was also opened to the audience.

A well known social worker, a renowned actor and a past president of MCC, Vivian D’ Souza was honoured with a memento by the Guest of Honor Rev. Fr. Anand Castelino, in recognition of his service to the community. Vice President Rocky Fernandes introduced Vivian to the gathering. Vivian thanked the community for giving him the opportunity to serve them.

 ‘Mr. World’ Raymond D’Souza , the first ever Indian to win the prestigious title and numerous other accolades was felicitated  by the Chief Guest, M.R.Qureshi, Second Secretary at the Indian Embassy, Doha.  General Secretary Riana Pinto introduced Raymond D’souza to the gathering.

Siraj Ahamed of Inland Builders, Mangalore, the event sponsors was also presented with a memento.  Later Siraj Ahmed released the relaunch of MCC’s new website www.mccqatar.com

Chief Guest, Qureshi also released the souvenir of the program and lauded the good work of MCC and thanked MCC for keeping India alive in Qatar.

Uttam Menezes from Dubai then kept the show going with his unique style of compering by rightly introducing every artiste, song and joke.

To the melodious music of lead guitarist and the band leader Roshan D’Souza and his teammates Richie Monteiro on the keyboard, Ashith Pinto on base guitar,  RaviKumar on Rhythm guitar.  Melwin Fernandes on drums, Adolf Jayathilak of ‘Ye Mana’ fame burst on to the Doha stage for the first time with the number ‘Volu Volu Pavlam kandun Ye…..’ which was rendered so effectively that it laid a perfect foundation to the program which ran for almost five hours. Adolf went on to sing many of the popular songs including ‘Yore pavsa yo’,’Abolya’, ‘Dingri Dinga’ during the show.

Who’s fault is it? – probably no one knows, that without our own Ronnie D’Cunha, no show is a show, no CD is a CD.  He loves singing and people love him.  The unparalleled singer in a class of his own, opened with the ageless number ‘Kontaar Korun Dis Mhoje Saartham …’ originally sung by legendary Mohd Rafi and scored by Chris Perry, and took the older generation in the audience down the memory lane, to their childhood, to the HMV time.  Rony also rendered beautifully, as he always does, songs like ‘Angelina’, ‘Nil nil Gaganar’, ‘Ago baye tuja rupak pisvola’ to the delight and satisfaction of the huge crowd. Later on, during the show, Rony D’Cunha paid tribute to his ‘Guru’ Late Mr.Rebimbus by singing two lines of a song, in his honour.

Rony and Adolf set the tempo with the hugely popular duet ‘chedvam borim amchea gavachim’ by MickMax to the much delight of the crowd and there was not looking back as the mood just got better and better.

There was no dearth of talent on the stage.  The twinkling star in the Konkani music  horizon, winner of ‘Soad 2’  ‘Rani Kogull’ Lavita Lobo with her opening number, mesmerized the gathering, young and old,  and succeeded in holding them  mesmerized throughout the  show, demonstrating that she has matured in singing much beyond her small age.

Reshma Cutinho from Dubai, with her melodious voice captivated the hearts of many with some beautiful numbers “Aashethali hanv’ and ‘Dees  te Nenthyaponale’ .  Reshma & Lavita in their duet numbers were a perfect blend and also matched well with Adolf and Rony.

King of comedy Jerry Rasquinha and Duje (Joseph) this time appeared in changed roles – the role of the comedians. Within the span of five hours Jerry became a child, a  monkey catcher, became pregnant and delivered the comedy which had the crowd in splits. Duje had transplants and could not decide on what gender he wanted to be. Nevertheless, they proved one thing – the best of comedy could be the simplest one – it is only how you time and deliver it.

The famous ‘Ocean Kids’ from Dubai Farah Pinto, Sarah Pinto, Shilpa, Rithesh Rosario, Anoop & Pullikunnu with Choreographer Vinod Sequeira added colour and glamour to the melody of songs with perfectly choreographed and executed dances, which were hugely appreciated.  Doha’s own teenagers Sana Britto, Cybil D’Souza, Rhea Castelino, Rupal Aroza, and Nicole Pinto beautifully performed the dance to Adolf’s ‘Yore Pausa yo’.

On the star studded stage was another bright star, a star that has been shining for more than two decades – the one and only – Raymond D Souza, the muscle man who put India on the world map of body building by winning the prestigious ‘Mr World’ title in 1990.  He inspired the youth with the show of his still flexing muscles to have fitter bodies while he proved to the old that age is no barrier where there is a will.  At 49, after more than 25 years of bodybuilding, he still had every crease in every muscle deep and sharp.  The demo spoke for itself why and how Raymond became ‘Mr. World’. 

Sunil D Silva proposed the vote of thanks.  The evening concluded with more than 15 minutes of non-stop Baila to which boisterous young and old danced to their hearts’ content.

Franky Quadros of Al Amer Garage was the Main sponsor, Inland Builders from Mangalore were the event sponsors. while Integral  Food Services and Construction Development Co. (CDC) were the Associate sponsors of the evening. 

Sponsorship announcements we managed by Bonaventure D’souza, Dephney Lobo, Ronnie Fernandes and Prafulla Sequeira.

Overall, the show was a mega Konkani variety entertainment event like never before in Qatar and had something for everyone present.  However, It was sad to realize that a lot of people had  to go back for lack of parking space.

The organizers take this opportunity to thank the Al Sai Group, all the sponsors, benefactors, well wishers, guest artistes from Mangalore, Dubai and Kuwait, our own local artistes, the excellent audience and all those who have helped in organizing  this , one of its kind mega event, involving 19 guests and 21 local artistes, for their support and co-operation.  MCC especially thanks the Indian Embassy, Qatar for their support in all its activities.

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