UAE: A Mangalorean friends group in Abu Dhabi celebrated the feast of Nativity on September 11 at Arab Udupi Banquet Hall, Abu Dhabi.
Ivan D’Souza addressed and briefed about the importance of Monthi Fest and welcomed the gathering to this unique traditional celebration as a family. All the people marched in procession carrying the Bambina of Infant Mary, new grown paddy, with children carrying flowers. Maxim Pereira and group lead the prayer and sung various hymns which added the spirit of devotion in the gathering. As a tradition the fresh sugarcane was distributed to all the children.
Gurkar of the day Ronald D’Souza invited everyone to have blessed traditional vegetarian meal by offering water in ‘Chembu’. Blessed Novem mixed in milk was served to all and a traditional feast meal with Mangalorean flavour was served on Banana leaves along with vorn.
Ronald D’Souza introduced a newly formed “Evershine Band” team who indeed increased the zest among the crowd with their best music.
There were a row of entertainment programmes like live singing, skit, dance, spot prizes etc. Wilson Pinto, well known for his knowledge in Konkani rendered a humorous speech comprising different dialects, words used in Konkani related to Monthi fest and other. The interaction was at its best and the audience applauded him. The most talented woman of the gathering Reshma Martis entertained the crowd by her unique talent of mimicries. Also our beloved singers Ronald, Maxim, Movin, Divya, Melwyn, Ida, Ishny, Monisha, Alwyn livened up the gathering with their melodious voice.
Many from the audience had sponsored for this event by means of fruits, flowers, banana leaves, sugarcane etc. In support of Konkani artists, there was a Konkani songs CD by Ajith Peter D’Souza “Tem Yeunhca Vella” was released formally by Dulcin Pereira and was given as spot prize.
The programme concluded with grand baila. Around 150 Mangaloreans living in Abu Dhabi were gathered. The programme was well compered by Ivan D’Souza and he also thanked all who extended their kind support to make this event fruitful.
Enthusiastic Ronald D’Souza along with Mangalorean friends in Abu Dhabi has been organizing the Nativity feast celebration from 7 years in Abu Dhabi.