M’lore: 184th Mandd Sobhann Programme – ‘Carrying Forward Legacy’

Media Release

Mangalore, 16 Dec 2013: Mandd Sobhann, a premier organization striving to promote Konkani and its distinct culture worldwide organized its 184th Musical Programme of genre of music, titled ‘Carrying forward the Legacy’ at Rohan Corporation air-conditioned auditorium here on Sunday December 15 evening.

 
The fourteen chosen songs composed by 8 reputed Mangalorean and Goan poets: Cha Fra D’Costa, Melvyn Rodrigues, Sridhar Kamat and Yusuf Sheikh; all tuned by Eric Ozario, were rendered mainly by 2 young singers – Vinay Lewis and Prajoth D’Sa.

 
The presentation, true to its caption, saw 3 generations performing – Eric and Joyce, Vinay, Prajoth, Alwyn and Dr Rashmi and Eric’s grandchildren – Eshan (on the guitar) and Aman and Gia.

 
The accomplished musicians who accompanied the singing, comprised one of India’s top guitarists, Alwyn Fernandes, Manish Das (flute), Richard Monteiro (keyboards), Sunil Kumar (violin), Damodar Kumble (table), Sachin Sequeira (percussions) and Norbert Gonsalves (extra effects).

 

 
The two-hour performance, rich in lyrical beauty and adorned with soothing melodies, mesmerized the houseful audience and convinced everyone that the Mandd Sobhann genre of music is not only unique, but also stands-out as a class apart.

 
The evening brought back nostalgic memories of the first Mandd Sobhann programme that took the Konkani music world by storm, presented at the lawns of Hotel Woodlands, on November 30, 1986.

 
The memorable evening concluded with dinner. The evening was possible, thanks to the patronage and sponsorship of Rohan Monteiro, the Chairman of Rohan Corporation.

 
Mandd Sobhann, which began its cultural journey as a musical experiment, with the motto of – ‘A search for a Konkani identity in Konkani music’ has not only grown into a cultural organization, but in the past 27 years, having accomplished much for the preservation, promotion and enrichment of Konkani language and culture, is today recognized as the World’s Premiere Konkani Cultural Organization. To document all its contributions and the influence it has exerted on Konkani language, culture and people, a book titled ‘Probhav’ (meaning influence) was released on this occasion. Vitori Karkal, a prominent Konkani writer and a member of the Executive Committee of Mandd Sobhann and the Executive Secretary of Konkani Prachar Sanchalan has authored the book.

 
Amidst Mandd Sobhann’s innumerable contributions to Konkani music, arts and culture, Mandd Sobhann’s genre of music will always find a pride of place. Considering the overwhelming response, many more such performances are sure to follow.