Dubai: SMKC’s `Konkan Showers -2010' Proves to be Melodious and Memorable
by Ramcy Fernandes
Daijiworld Media Network – Dubai (SP)
Dubai, Oct 15: Some of the choicest songs of Mandd Sobhann, melodious singing by Eric Ozario, Joyce Ozario, Zeena Pereira and Prakash D'Souza, soothing music by some of the best professional musicians in the industry, dances by professional troupes, and the vibrant audiences who instantly took to the floor and danced to their hearts’ content - were the main features of a memorable evening of `Konkan Showers - 2010' organized here at the Al Nasr Leisureland, on Thursday October 14. The musical extravaganza was organized by St Mary's Konkani Community (SMKC), Dubai, as part of its ninth anniversary, under the able leadership of its president, Jennifer Mascarenhas.
Fr Frank Gomes, spiritual director, SMKC, Fr Valerian D'Souza, priest from Mangalore, Joseph Mathias, Merit Freight Systems LLC, Michael D'Souza of Dunes Hotel Apartments, and Jennifer Mascarenhas, president, SMKC, lit the lamp and inaugurated the event. Fr Gomes led the prayers and invoked Almighty’s blessings at the beginning of the programme.
In the first session, Eric, Joyce, Zeena and Prakash sang some old numbers including `Hanv Kobu' by Melvyn Rodrigues, `Ujea Vengent' by Fred Kumar, `Misak Vetana' by Chafra, `Vodda Ponda' by Sridhar Kamath, `Yego Meri' by Yashwant D S, and a traditional song, `Suryachim Kirnam', followed by Manddo. Scores of people instantly sprang to their feet and danced on the floor during the medley of the Manddo session.
In the second session, `Rosaline Mhojea Mogachem' by the late Albert Pinto, `Chandra Bhangra' by Rony Crasta, and the late Ben Sequeira's `Dorya Kushin’ were presented along with some traditional songs.
There were Hindi songs as well as a baila session that was enjoyed by one and all.
Daiji Rang Mandir artistes, Pradeep Barboza, Alwyn Pinto, Santosh D'Souza and Deepak D'Silva presented some hilarious skits and thoroughly entertained the audience in between different singing sessions.
Ocean Kids dance troupe artistes led by its choreographer, Vinod Sequeira, performed its well-synchronized and orchestrated dances. Gavin Joshua Rodrigues, two-time finalist of Boogie Woogie UAE International, gave his solo dance performance.
A PowerPoint presentation during the programme, containing slides of important places of worship in and around Mangalore, age-old professions, various communities and its people, places, flora and fauna, succeeded in taking the audiences down nostalgic memories.
Sachin Sequeira on drums, Cajetan Dias on the keyboard, Umesh Idya on trumpet and saxophone, Jerome Coelho on base guitar and Alwyn Fernandes on lead guitar showed their extra ordinary talent as musicians.
On the occasion, an auction of some of the costliest gifts to raise funds for the charity work carried out by SMKC was held. Many spot prizes were given to people as well during the occasion.
Jennifer Mascarenhas, in her address, paid tributes to SMKC’s spiritual directors including its first director, Fr Cyprian D'Souza, under of whose guidance SMKC blossomed, and has since been able to realize its dreams of helping the needy in Konkani community back in Mangalore. “So far, SMKC has distributed almost Rs 1.2 crore for various causes including educational, social, and cultural needs of the society,” she said. “19 engineers and a doctor have completed their education, duly benefitting from the scholarships given through SMKC Education Trust Fund,” she continued.
Ronald Colaco and family were the platinum sponsor of the event, while Joseph Mathias of Merit Freight Systems LLC was the diamond sponsor. There were a number of other sponsors who had supported the event. SMKC felicitated them during the occasion.
At the programme, Eric Ozario was felicitated by IFKCA president, Ronald Colaco, and Joseph Mathias.
Daijiworld.com was the media partner of the event.
While Arun Raj Rodrigues compered the event in Konkani, Vaishali Rodrigues compered the show in English.