Nottingham, UK: MUKA celebrates Easter!

By John Peter Fernandes
Bellevision Media Network

Nottingham, UK, 25 April 2011: The joy of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ was celebrated with great religious fervor and traditional cultural enthusiasm by Mangalorean Konkani Association at Bramcote Hall in Nottingham.  Mangaloreans from Nottingham were joined by members of KCA Manchester, London, Birmingham and Bristol in large numbers.

 

The Easter celebration began with Konkani Holy Eucharist offered by Rev. Fr. Manoj D’Souza, SJ and well supported by MUKA choir. A collection was made towards the Street Children Charity, ICID (Indian Centre for Integrated Development) in Nagpur run by Fr. Herald D’Souza, OP at the celebration.

 

After the Mass all participated in the cultural events to share the joy of Easter and keep the Mangalorean tradition alive.

 

The day long activity began with a welcome by Mr. Jeevan Menezes, president of the association MUKA. The members and guests were welcomed with soft drinks and cake. The secretary of the association Mr. John Peter Fernandes read the annual report and the treasurer Mr. Pius Rasquinha presented the financial report for the year. This was the 6th successful year where Easter was celebrated in Nottingham with such enthusiasm and gaiety.

 

A day long cultural programme was compered by Mr. Vincent Dsouza. Both adults and children performed variety of dances, skits, etc., on a well decorated stage by Mr. Pradeep and Valerian Dsouza.

 

 

Cultural program began with a welcome dance by Joyce and Jessica Aranha. Then followed avKonkani dance ’Darya Kushin’ by Jennifer, Averill, Hailey, Jesvita and Hadley. A solo dance by Elaine Lewis from Derby and Jessica Aranha entertained the crowd to their great delight.   A Konkani skit ’Bebdya Cho Samsar’ played by Vincent D’Souza, Deepak Alvares, Flossy, John Fernandes and Stany Sequeira. Another short Konkani play was enacted by Jeevan Menezes, Pius Rasquinha and Stany Sequeira. A superb Konkani folk dance ’Sonavali’ was performed by Deepak and Nympha Alvares, which entertained the crowd thoroughly. Apart from dances, there were other solo songs by Elaine Lewis from Derby, ’Kogulecho Talo’ a Konkani song by Averill Alvares and another Konkani song ’Chandrema’ by Elita Fernandes from Bristol. The Baila dance at the end had the audience tapping the rhythm to the tunes.

 

Apart from the cultural programme, the sumptuous Mangalorean style dinner that was served in the afternoon was prepared by the committee members. Deepak and Joyce Aranha cheered the crowd with Housie-Housie, and subsequently the prizes were distributed to the winners.

 

The formal program was officially concluded with vote of thanks by vice president Joyce Aranha.  She expressed her gratitude to all the members and guests for their wonderful contribution to the success of this program. The Easter celebration concluded with singing the traditional hymn Laudate Dominum.