Doha: MCC Qatar celebrates Mangalorean Day

Media Release

Doha, Qatar, 28 November 2011: The much awaited “Mangalorean Day” organized by Mangalore Cricket Club (MCC) was celebrated by the MCC members and the Mangalorean community on Friday, 25th November 2011 at the new Ideal Indian School premises. Enthused by its hugely successful  ‘Mangalorean Day’  celebrated over the last 3 years , this was the fourth year of Mangalorean Day celebration and has become an annual event now which is anticipated with zeal by all community members as it is a family day with complete package of games, music, dance, food and fun galore.

 

The evening began with some exciting stall games from 4.00 pm..  Different creative fun games were arranged along with Mehendi stall, Konkani request numbers dedication to their loved ones was a bang on to build up the momentum of the evening, guessing the cake weight, guessing the numbers of sweets which was enjoyed by all young and old with great enthusiasm.

 

Variety of home cooked food was on sale at the food stalls while the fun games were ongoing. The homemade Mangalorean and non-Mangalorean delicacies such as Goli Baje, Bhelpuri, carrot halwa, sheera, vorn, Pathrode, Sanna, Panpale, Chicken & Mutton curries, Chilli chicken. Chicken 65, Pulao, biriyani, noodles, pickle  and Kuswar packets which were specially prepared by our generous members along with hot tea/juice were on sale and on great demand, It was a total fun and food fiesta.

 

The much awaited cultural program began at 6.15 pm with the opening note from the hosts Santosh Fernandes and Emilia Castelino who were debutant hosts but were at their best. The audience were welcomed by a welcome song  presented by the MCC members from the composition of Eddie Sequiera.   Then President Richard D souza welcomed the gathering and informed that the programme would be a run away success as  more than 100 participants came together as a family and worked hard to make it a truly Mangalorean outing.  He emphasized that it is equally important to empower today’s children with work skills as much as they spend time and money in inculcating fine arts skills in them, as when they step out into the society as adults, it is the work skills that would help them the most. He also briefed about the recent and forth coming activities “Soad 3 International” - a singing contest and requested members to participate in this TV reality show.  He thanked and appreciated members for all the support extended in organizing this event.

 

This was followed by the flow of cultural items beginning with the tiny tots in the age group of 4 years with their action song “Boogie Woogie” under the guidance of Shalini Monthero, a duet song sung by Alwyn D’Souza & Sony Rodrigues – “Band Vaasta” with their lively performance asked for more from audience, young participants then performed for “Zoobie Zoobie” dance number choreographed by Shalini Monthero mesmerizing the audience with their impressive performance and much to the applause of the packed audience. Veteran singer , Usha Uthup of Doha Mrs. Joyce Mascarenhas rendered a beautiful goan number “Tuzo Mog” with her melodius voice and to the lovely music played by Agnello Rodrigues. The young kids took over the stage again with another dance item in their colourful costume performed “Ýa Ya Maya ya’”  to a thunderous applause from the crowd.  Little children really captured the hearts of all with their impressive performance.

 

A short play “Kuzner Charlie” written by Glany Fernandes and directed by Gladson DÁlmeida was the icing on the cake. The play highlighted importance of respecting and being considerate to people who ease our domestic chores. Everyone in this world looks for peace of mind and happiness both in personal and professional life and when he/she fails to find them in the day-to-day life, tends to get desperate. While Sandeep Noronha was absolutely centre of attraction in the play in the role of ‘Kuzner Charlie’, veteran actors Della Rego and Bonaventure (Bonu) D’Souza were again at their usual best. Naveen Permannur as Roshan and Jyothi Noronha as Charlotte put up impressive performance with their usual flamboyant acting skills. Playwright Glany showed that he’s much more than just writer and his performance as commission agent Hubba too was well appreciated. Qatar’s up and coming talent Elreena Maria Pinto scored background music for the play.

 

 

Fr Anand Castelino, the spiritual director of Konkani speaking community of Qatar has been a great supporter of Konkani language and programmes. It was evident again as he exhorted the gathering to pass on the Konkani language and its rich traditions to the ‘GenX’ through programmes such as Mangalorean Day. In his short address he appreciated MCC’s efforts in organizing various programmes that promote Konkani and also showcase the talents of the Mangalorean community based in Qatar.

 

A superb duet dance performance from teenagers Cybil D’Souza and Venal Rhea Castelino was another much asked for item with their great synchronized moves. Eva Wilma Pinto & Sunitha Tellis sang a duet song “Sobith Sunder Gaanv” giving tribute to Mangalore from the composition of Wilfy Rebimbus.  Another very talented teen  Sana Britto gave a wonderful solo ballet performance to a beautiful number “From this moment” and amazed the audience. Later singing couple Patrick and Thelma D’Souza entertained the audience with Konkani duet ‘Sargachea Bukacher’, one of the best compositions of Wilson Olivera Padukone. Young children’s group gave another beautiful performance on Melwyn Peris hit number “Elreena”.

 

Remy and Namitha D’Souza then presented the Konkani duet “Naka Naka Mulleari’ composed by Remy himself. Both Remy and Namitha are wonderfully talented and abundantly blessed in musical field and their singing was no less than any professional performance.

 

Fusion dance to hit mixed numbersof different languages Hindi/English/Tami/Konkani  performed by the teen group along Jyothi & Sandeep Noronha was the item of the evening who rocked the stage with their splendid performance and this was choreographed by talented Jyothi Noronha. Remy again showcased his abundant talent both in composing and singing with his solo number ‘Bus stand sundari’. The late Wilfy Rebimbus’ immortal number ‘Kuru Kuru Mama’ was presented by young dancers Sana & group in the dance form and was choreographed by Dorothy Kemmannu.

 

A real tribute to homeland was presented in Fashion parade form to the tunes of ht number “Jalwa” from Fashion movie displaying all old traditional cultures of Mangalore. It was the limelight of the evening which was well received by the audience for the great creativity and innovative idea which really made the “Mangalorean Day” complete with the rich tributes made to Mangalorean culture with their attire and various props hardly found in recent times. Shalini Monthero, Joint secretary brainstormed this idea and coordinated the whole show with a team of 16 members displaying different occupations of Mangalore.

 

Last but not the least a Mangalorean song Maando was presented by Dony Lobo with his choir group which was the perfect finale to the Mangalorean Day.

 

Prize distribution ceremony was conducted by Reena Castelino and President Richard gave away the prizes. Guessing the cake weight was won by Vivek Monteiro, guessing the number of chocolates was won by Joseph D’Souza.  Raffle draw winners were given several gifts, vochers, dinner vouchers of Ramada & Sheraton and the bumper prize - Jet Airways Return Air ticket from Doha to Mumbai/Delhi or Cochin was won by Vincent Castelino.

 

Sound and lights were provided by Glylon Rodrigues. A special thanks to Agnello Rodrigues for providing music, Mangalore Cricket Club wishes to thank Sabinash D’Souza, Head of Volunteers and  all his group of volunteers under his supervision, all the generous community members who prepared variety dishes, the choreographers, coordinators, all participants, the sponsors Jet Airways, Ramada Hotel, Sheraton Hotel, Al Balagh Trading & Contracting and all those who came together as one BIG FAMILY and have contributed towards the run-away success of the 4th  MCC ‘Mangalorean Day’. 

 

It was indeed a Mangalorean Family Day thoroughly enjoyed by all with the lovely weather, delicious food, fun, games and cultural fiesta.