It’s Christmas Time! St Anthony’s Ashram’s ‘Christa Namana’ Tableau to Depict Birth of Christ
Mangaluru : Ho..Ho..Ho..It’s Christmas Time , again! Santa Claus and ‘Christa Namana’ duo trucks have Come To Town, and It’s beginning to Look Like Christmas already. The SECOND Mobile CHRISTMAS ACT of 2019 Christmas was launched by St Anthony’s Ashram-Jeppu, Mangaluru, on Friday, 13 December 2019 at the Ashram grounds. As the Month of December begins the whole world is gearing up to celebrate Christmas, the Birthday of Jesus the Prince of Peace. In preparation for the feast the Church begins the season of Advent on the first Sunday of December.
The inaugural tableau was launched on 13 Friday 2019, along with felicitation of Seven newly elected ward members to the Mangalore City Corporation, namely Lancelot Pinto, Ms Jacintha Vijay Alfred, Naveen D‘Souza, Abdul Rauf, Vinaya Raj, Bharath Kumar S, and Shailesh B. Shetty. These corporators were felicitated and thanked for their service to the city and specially to St Anthony Ashram Jeppu. Mrs Jacintha Alfred on behalf of the felicitated thanked the Ashram for the felicitation and assured help whenever required.
The other invited guests on the dais were Dr Julian Saldanha, R.M.O. Wenlock District Hospital; Krishnaraj K, Executive Engineer MESCOM; Gopal Krishna Bhat, Traffic Inspector; Ms Manjula, Sub-Inspector; Shanthala Gatty, president block Congress women wing; Ms Vijayalaxmi, former Corporator, and were thanked heartily for their kind co-operation to the Ashram and their service to the city of Mangaluru.
Dr Sreevarma Heggade- a Philoso of Annapoorna Dasa, Mangaluru was the chief guest. In his message he highlighted the value of ‘LIVE & LET LIVE” preached and practiced by Jesus. He appreciated the teachings of Jesus in ‘the sermon of the mount’ which advocate non-violence and winning over of enemies through love and forgiveness. Prof Irfan Abdulla Nurani of Al-Madina, Manjanady said that Jesus is an inspiration to many benevolent works carried out around the world today. He affirmed that the long service of 122 years by St Anthony Ashram Jeppu is certainly a witness to the self-less love preached by Jesus.
Vincent Fernandes of ‘Mogachi Lahra’ fame and his team entertained the audience with melodious Christmas carols in Konkani, Tulu, Kannada, and English. Fr Onil D’Souza the Director of St Anthony Ashram welcomed the guests. Fr Thrishan D’Souza, the Asst Director proposed the vote of thanks. Ms Shainy D’Souza compered the programme. Fr Cyprian Pinto Parish of St Joseph Church, Vamanjoor; Fr Francis D’Souza, Spiritual Director St Joseph Seminary Jeppu; Fr Roshan D’Souza, Asst Director St Anthony Ashram; large number of Sisters and over five hundred people participated in the programme.
In keeping with their customary spirit of Christmas joy, St Anthony’s Ashram did put up a spectacular inaugural show, spreading the message of love and peace as shown by Jesus himself two thousand years ago under the title “Christa Namana 2019”, a SECOND show after it was launched in 2018 . The play depicted the story of Birth of Jesus Christ unfolded through songs and dances. Around 60 artistes including the band members performed at the show and entertained the people through their moving performance.
These street plays as Christmas season approaches is a befitting tribute to Baby Jesus. “Christa Namana” in song and act brought together over 60 plus artists from various backgrounds to pool in their talents and the actors, mostly youngsters which kept the audience spellbound with their sheer acting skills. They accorded an aura of realism to the play, and transported the audience back into the past. The mobile act was performed on two trailer trucks, on one truck the band played, and on the other, the artists performed the act, and also sang Christmas carols.The troupe consisted of actors, singers, musicians, dancers, technical and stage managers.
The performers of “Christa Namana” was a blend of people from all walks of life coming together to promote peace and harmony and brotherhood by showcasing their varied talents. The musical show was also interspersed with a number of dances that lent variety to the evening’s events. The carol singers in red and white, with their sweet melodious voices were a treat to the eyes and ears. An air of expectancy hung in the air and was dispelled only when “Santa Claus” made an entry, and danced and distributed sweets to the kids. And the show ended with a dance Christmas song by Vincent Fernandes “Naas Christmas Naas”…..
Kudos to Fr Onil D’souza-the Director of the Ashram for his initiative in launching “Christa Namana’ last year, and the SHOW WAS A HIT, at all the venues of performance. And this year, it was extraordinary on its inaugural day, and it will be extraordinary and awesome, during the other four shows (two today -14 Dec) and two shows on 15 Dec.
And on a joyous note, I end this column with a dance Christmas number on YouTube by Vincent Fernandes, which goes like this “Naas Christmas Naas”…..
