By Antony D'Cunha
Pics: Joachim D'Souza
Team Mangalorean Oman

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"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." - Aristotle

Muscat Nov 21, 2009: As always, the programme was excellent and the excellence was achieved by the committed approach of like-minded people in delivering quality performance.  The programme was so well organized that at the entrance we all were greeted by our community children dressed in glittering costume and in keeping with local tradition and Indian custom "Athithi Devo Bava" all the Guests were sprinkled with "Rose Water" a sign of hospitality, followed by entry registration as there were early bird prizes to be won by many as an incentives for timely attendance by the members.  The ambience was all set for the celebration and the entire look was as if the invitation was for a Mangalorean Roce & wedding ceremony.  Soon after the entry, the guests were treated with Snacks & refreshments.  The live Band by Lancy Pinto and team under the name & style of "Downtown Cascades" with talented young group comprising Lanston Pinto, Kevin Fernandes, Domnic Colaco, Meval Dantis, Lin Pinto, Saurav Rebello, etc., entertained the audience throughout the show with famous Western, Konkani, Tulu and Bollywood numbers.
  
The pro-active measures taken by the current executive committee of MCCP under the dynamic leadership of Suraj Rebello, to forge ahead to meet the contemporary social and cultural needs of our community, are yielding results as more and more participants with lot of potentials are joining the bandwagon to showcase their talents on the common platform provided by the Mangalorean Catholic Center of the Parish – MCCP.  Started in the year 1992 with a humble beginning focusing on the genuine theme "United to serve the Community" to nurture the ever growing social needs of Mangalorean Catholic Community of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ruwi and Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Ghala, the MCCP has over the years emerged as a strong force behind the promotion of social and cultural values by organizing variety of programmes to suit every age group with diverse taste and preferences. 

 

 

The current year's focus on "Sthree – Gharso Divo, Saunsaraso Uzwad" (Woman – Light of the house, Radiance of the world) entails woman empowerment and related priorities with 7 ladies in the executive committee representing various shades of feminine strengths & skills followed by 3 men with great vigour & foresight moving forward unfolding events one after another creating excitement among the members as to what next…….
 
The above fact was evident by the overwhelming response and active participation by the members on 20th November, 2009 for the "Mangalorean Day 2009" – a whole day of fun and laughter held at Al Maasa Hall, Rex Road.  These new measures perhaps will add new dimension and unfold many more opportunities for inclusive participation by all sections of the community irrespective of their economical and social background to take MCCP's image to the next level of recognition.
 
The very talented duo – Lavina D'Sa and Monica Dantis, were the Masters of Ceremony for the first half, who with their exclusive way of presentation won the hearts & minds of audience throughout the first half of the programme.  The programme started with the Prayer Dance – "NAMO NAMO SARVESHPORA" by our community children Elrika Frank, Megan and Liza.  They were trained by Glenda Castelino.  These tiny tots with their innocent look and tender touch gave an amazing performance.
 
The next attraction was a traditional "Vojen Hadche" occasion which took us to our childhood days in hometown/village back home and the ambience was typical to that of village celebration.  This great show was a result of creative work by Philomena Moras - an active contributor for the community welfare.  The great procession comprising of village elders like Gurkar, Yejman, Yejmani, etc.,, in traditional costumes and ornaments followed by people carrying head-loads of inventory comprising village produce required for the function such as vegetables, Plantains, Par-boiled Rice in traditional pack of hey cover, etc., with traditional songs of Voviyo/Verse/Boilaiki such as Voir Voir Zaricha Mathyar Kirlanha Tanh" etc., were the special attractions of this unique custom.  The participants of this traditional custom of yesteryears were Sherwin D'Silva, Joseph Rodrigues, Shaun D'Silva, Jeevan Mascarenhas, Vinitha, Aldin, Edward Mendonca, Philomena Mendonca, Priyanka Mendonca, Aldrean Moras, Ivan Moras, Shalet Noronha, J.P. Mascarenhas, Philomena Moras, Alston Moras, Dale Dantis, Naveen Mascarenha, Melwyn Lobo, Sunil, Anil Mascarenha, Sunil Lewis, Shanthi, etc.
 
Welcome address by the President – Suraj Rebello, with his words of wisdom and motivation was an orientation to the entire gathering to support the community activities as one family and move forward for the greater success of common goal.  Moreover, the Sponsors for the event were honoured with Floral Bouquet.  Mr. Jerry Mascarenhas, was the Mega Sponsor.  M/s. Suleyum Al Kyumi Trading LLC and M/s. W.J. Towell – Engineering Division, were the Main Sponsors of the event. 
 
To pursue the Tulunadu tradition – a song composed by Ivan D'Souza – Central School, Bijai, was sung by duo - Dilip Correa and Joachim D'Souza, with great feel so as to have a cultural impression on the audience.  This was followed by Cyprian Misquith, making an announcement regarding the proposed release of Souvenir in May 2010 to bring the community closer and work together cohesively like well knit fabric for the success of this new assignment.
 
The "comedy of errors" enacted by Walter Mendonca, Walter Pinto, Lancy Lobo, Peter D'Souza, Alwyn Pinto, Sunil D'Souza, Deepak D'Souza, Flavy Bajpe and Helen Sequeira, making the Nursing Home, a centre of all grave mistakes as a result of miscommunication between Doctor, Nurse and the patients, tickled the funny bones of all audience.  Apolinaris D'Souza and Victoria Soares, sung a song focusing on this year's theme "Sthree – Gharso Divo, Saunsaraso Uzwad" (Woman – Light of the house, Radiance of the world) gave a feeling of great relief to all the ladies present at the gathering.
 
Up next the President Suraj Rebello released the new CD "Jeevan Sangeeth" composed by community's Musical Maestro Apolinaris D'Souza and sung by the community's well known talents. This CD had a record number of sales at the gathering soon after its release. 
 
As was announced in the invitation – special attraction of the event "Nathalancho Khel" co-ordinated by Jerry Macarenhas, to mark the beginning of forthcoming Christmas season, gave the audience a pleasant surprise.  It was a grand procession of house to house visit by the group with songs representing Santa Claus and other village characters including the very attractive & charming ladies (men in disguised attire) dancing to the tune of Brass Band with people carrying Lanterns & petromax in a village ambience gave a total new dimension to the show.  Moreover, the traditional cuisine "Kuswar" – varieties of sweet delicacies prepared during the Christmas was also an added feature of this show.  The participants were:
 
Male Dancers: Claud Frank Bejai, Micheal Goveas Badyar, Alwyn Baptist Urwa, Sylwester Vaz Mumbai
Female Dancers: Avinash Kapikad, Anil Kokkada, Reizen Urwa, Canon Bejai
Jokers: Shailu Kapikad, Rony Soz Bejai
Village Elder : Russel Bejai
Lantern/Petromax bearers:  Stany Menezes,  Alwyn Bondel
Brass Band: Jerry Kapikad, Alwyn Madyantar
Custodian of Contributions:  Dolphy Frank Bejai
Support Actor: Rupert Soz Bejai
Families at Home: Felcy Frank, Jenny Frank, Nimmy Goveas, Nancy Vaz, Eddu & Henry Martis
Children: Melina, Stacy
 
It was a time for Lunch break and the all audience enjoyed the sumptuous lunch provided by Alwyn Saldanha – a well known Restaurant owner of our community, while the live band "Downtown Cascades" entertained the gathering with Music and songs.
 
The second half of the programme was even more entertaining with Suraj Rebello and Reena Mathias, at the helm of the presentation, in the capacity of  Masters of Ceremony.   The duo took the audience to an amazing level of participation with games in between the main programmes where most participants were honoured with prizes.  The second half began with a thrilling start by the kids trained by Asha Noronha, presenting a cultural dance with flawless presentation and this performance was also a part of Mangalorean representation at the Goan Convention held sometime back at Muscat. 
 
Lydia Sanctis, in a very professional way conducted the Early Bird prize draw and a lucky few walked away with the prizes.  It was a great motivation for the others to be on time next time around.
 
Asal Pooth (Cunning Sons) – a comedy show put by Lancy Lobo, Deepak D'Souza, Alwyn Pinto, Peter D'Souza, was another rib tickling attempt by our artists.  Dance depicting childhood petty quarrels among siblings bullying each other was another attempt by the young ones. 

Marriete Fernandes, gave a brief introduction of two promising young man in the field of Music – Lanston Pinto and Mavel Dantis.  They were duly honoured by Suraj Rebello and Apolinaris D'Souza, for their contribution and achievements.
 
A song "Manglur Apoita" presented by Ghala team comprising Charlotte Cutinha, Reena Fernandes, Tressy Goveas, Hurbert D'Souza, Ronald Lobo, Peter D'Souza and Vivian Fernandes, was a superb attempt by the singers to mesmerize the audience.
 
Jessie Pereira, announced winners of Photography contest.  Among 67 entries Veera Fernandes, won the first prize, Lancy D'Souza – second and Arun Lobo secured third place.

Ajith Rajesh Walder, announced the winners of Recipe contest.  Among the 40 entries, the following were adjudged as winners:
Non-Veg Recipe – Asha Noronha – First, Nirmala Goveas – Second, Felcy Fernandes – third
Dessert Recipe – Veera Fernandes – First, Nirmala Goveas – Second, Sharmila D'Silva – Third.
 
Precilla Machado, delivered the vote of thanks gratefully acknowledging the services of each and every contributor and thanked the gathering for supporting the Executive committee in putting up magnificent shows such as the one witnessed during the Mangalorean Day 2009.
 
Streenyanchi Duraam (Ya Patin) a group of wives "on the family way" giving an account of their difficult times and the journey related to these moments in the form of a Song, gave the audience somewhat mixed feelings of both happy and sad moments in life.  This was performed by Flavy Bajpe, Nirmala Goveas and others.  To celebrate our Master Blaster – Sachin Tendulkar's 20,000 Runs in one day cricket – a song composed in Sachin's honour by Apolinaris D'Souza, was presented by Meval Dantis, Lanston Pinto, Darryl Saldanha, Dean D'Souza and Rhea Fernandes.  "Manglurgarano Yeya Yeya" presented by Apolinaris D'Souza, Ronald Lobo, Vivian Fernandes, Dilip Correa, Joachim D'Souza, Ivan Moras, Lancy Sequeira, Victoria Soares, Nirmala Goveas, Flavia D'Souza, Jovita Sequeira, Flavia Castelino and Jacinta Serrao, forced the audience to actively participate in the performance by dance and fun.  However, "The Interview" another comedy show enacted by Walter Mendonca, Walter Pinto, Lancy Lobo, Helen Sequeira, Dean Bajpe, Alwyn Pinto, Peter D'Souza and others gave the audience value for their time. 
 
In an attempt to encourage the audience to stay till the last moment, there was a special prize Muscat-Mangalore-Muscat airticket sponsored by M/s. Al Ansari Engineering and the lucky winner under this draw was Kenan D'Souza.
 
All the Artists, Singers and Musicians were honoured with Floral Bouquet.  Media representatives were also honoured with Floral Bouquet in appreciation of their service.    
 
LIPTON TEA stall refreshed the audience with its Tea service as a promotion to strengthen its brand image.
 
Hall was decorated by Jacintha Machado and team.  Light & sound system was set by Lancy Pinto and team.  In short, it was a magnificent show of social and cultural values binding the community together as one family with a view to strengthen the ties to take MCCP's image to next level of recognition. 

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