Vamanjoorean’s ’Tunes in Dunes’ A super success Musical show
By Alphonse Mendonca
Pics By Loyan Rodrigues
Bellevision Media Network
Dubai, 20 May 2012: “TUNES IN DUNES” a Musical Fiesta was indeed a magical musical show mesmerized the audience at the Sheraton Deira Hotel, Dubai on Friday. Guest of honours Msgr Edwin Pinto and Rev. Sr. Maria Goretti blessed the show with their presence and they were honoured by Vamanjoorean parishioners for their dedication to their parish and in remembrance of their total care from scratch from a baron land to a magnificent growth of the parish which stands tall as one of the most developed parish of Mangalore Diocese.
The mega show began with a live music session from Avin Mascarenhas group with lovely songs with old Konkani hits such as Angelina, Tu Sopananth Yetai by Mario.
The architect of the event and a well known Vamanjoorean and a famous emcee in Dubai Roshan D’Silva began the morning session with a warm welcome to the entire guests and requested the audience to enjoy the whole day entertainment that is planned for the day. He then introduced one of the most prominent comperes of comperes in U.A.E. Internationally famed Ronald Olviera (Padukone) and honoured him with a flower bouquet.
Oliveira as usual roared in his thunderous voice thanked Roshan who spoke highly of him and straight away requested the audience to participate fully in the whole day programme, enjoy the musical magic, the feast of songs, dances etc . He also announced that the members of the audience were divided into four groups based on colour of ribbons they have been distributed during the entrance and the each group would be accumulating points on various Konkani quiz type questions asked by him during the entire day and in breaks. The one group which accumulates the highest points would be adjudged as winner and he then proceeded with the first question.
It was then the grand moment of the day and that is welcoming the chief guests Msgr. Edwin Pinto D.S.D, Canada, [Chaplain to Pope Benedict XVI, Founder of Helpers of Mount Rosary and Vamanjoor Parish] and Rev Sr. Maria Goretti be “Rachana Award winner” and Mother General of S.R.A. along with Rohan Monteiro (Business man, Properties), They were welcomed in a grand procession ceremoniously to a standing ovation by all the members/audience assembled. The beautiful grand procession was led by little Vamanjoorean kids showering flowers tot the guests followed by all the special invitees of the day Mr. Melwin D’Cunha (Chairman MCC Bank, Mangalore) and three famous Mendonsa brothers of Vamanjoor Lawrence, James and Richard Mendonsa, along all committee members of Vamanjooreans namely Jerald Lobo (President), Johnson Monteiro (Vice President), Joseph Pinto (Gen. Secretary) Roshan D’Silva (Co-coordinator), accompanied by sister from S.R.S.
Once all the guests were seated, a brief singing session was held and it began with a well known couple from Dubai Dony Correa and his wife Asha Correa in their golden voice sang Rudy Judy followed by another famous singer Goan singer Maria had joining the floor for dance for her lovely number Tujo Mog and Preema D’Souza (Dubai based singer) sang Dees Raat Moga. All the songs were applauded by the audience.
The ace comedian who had come all the way from Mangalore made entry cracked a few lines to refresh the tired minds of the audience along with Godwin.
Roshan D’Silva then invited chief guests of the day Msgr. Edwin Pinto, Rev. Sister Maria Goretti and Business man (Main Sponsor) to the dais to be honoured. He requested Mendonsa brothers to accompany them to the stage. Jerald Lobo, Melwin D’Cunha and Johnson Monteiro welcomed Msgr. Pinto, Rev. Sr. Maria Goretti and Rohan Monteiro with flower bouquets respectively. Jerald Lobo welcomed guest of honours with a water and pan-pod. Traditional lighting of the lamp was done led by Msgr. Pinto, Sr. Maria Goretti, Rohan Monteiro, Mendonsa brothers and committee members respectively. It was then the time for officially honour, recognize and appreciate both Msgr. Pinto and Sr. Maria selfless service to Vamanjooreans. Melwin D’Cunha also read Man Patr (Citation) of both Msgr. Pinto and Sr. Goretti and praised them for their selfless service to Vamanjoor Parish establishing from the scratch to the most developed parish of the day. Msgr. began with establishing a small school, took care of daily tasks at hand, catechism, and choir and then began construction of the church. He then established S.R.S Convent and handed over reins of the parishioners to Sr. Goretti who turned Vamanjoor into a golden era by looking after the old and down trodden, building houses for the poor etc. Both of them were honoured with shawls, floral bouquets, fruits, mementos and Man Patr (Citations) by Mendonsa brothers, Melwin D’Cunha and committee members.
Mrgr. Edwin Pinto spoke on the occasion and poured out his feelings and thanked Vamanjoor Parishioners for remembering him, love, affection and honour bestowed upon him. He said that he had been travelling a lot and passing to Dubai all the time while flying to Rome, Europe, U.S.A, Germany but never came out of Dubai airport. But when he came out of the Dubai airport last week he was amazed at the progress and development of Dubai. He also thanked Mr. James Mendonsa for taking him tourist places such as Bhurj Khalifa and was very happy to learn various developments in Dubai. He said may be Bhurj Khalifa is the tallest of all monuments built in U.A.E. but even if they build three times higher than that, it cannot reach heaven but the love, prayer, sacrifice, patience and caring for each other and extending helping hand those who are in dire needs and downtrodden will definitely take us to the heaven and Holy Spirit. He said, all the people work here and go thru the daily routine, hardships to build their families here and support their back in Mangalore. He also said whatever we have progressed, we must share with others and look after the needy and under privileged and we will be blessed by Almighty. The sacrifices and care we take of other will be blessed by Almighty abundantly and he earnestly requested to give and donate for those are in need and earn God’s blessings, be like holy family, pray together and sacrifice your life for others and you will receive blessings of Holy Spirit.
Coming back to his memories of Vamanjoor Parish, he said that he spent 14 to 15 years in Vamanjoor, began with a small way, whatever little money he had earned from his Europe mission, plus his earned money as a priest he built eighty (80) houses to the poor and he then gave charge to Sr. Maria Goretti who continued this mission with great dedication and today she was instrumental in building more than 350 houses to the poor. He also established S.R.S. convent, Bethany sisters, High School, Agriculturist school, social training and kissan (farmer’s) Institute, etc. He was appointed as Caritas (CODP) Founder Member along with twelve bishops. For CODP work he had to travel all over India and Melwin D’Cunha helped him a lot by driving all the places in his old Jeep which he still has with him. He thanked Melwin for his tremendous help in those days driving him to all places in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andra Pradesh, Kerala. Once he also met with accident and it was Melwin who took care of him had his Jeep re-fixed. He said those who got help from CODP should help others too. He had many appointments during this season in Rome and other places but on request from Melwin D’Cunha and to be part of his family Vamanjooreans he cancelled all the meetings and it is a great joy to be with his parishioners. Thanked all Vamanjooreans for their great love, affection and honouring him.
Rev. Sr. Maria Goretti too spoke on the occasion and thanked all Vamanjooreans for remembering and inviting her to this first event. She said she is happy to see all parishioners who were very young then and now untidily working in U.A.E.
At the end of the stage programme all the sponsors and media personnel were felicitated.
Rohan Monteiro too was honoured as the main sponsor of the event with a shawl, flower bouquet, fruit basket and memento.
It was then time for total entertainment with a grand entry of shining stars of the Konkani music world like “Voice of Konkani” Rony D’Cunha from Kuwait, who began with a romantic number Hazar Phulan Modhen “ and the crowed just loved it. All the young and old joined on the dance floor and danced the entire singing session by other singers namely; “Queen of Konkani singing” Preema D’souza, “Dubai’s Goan Sensation” Maria, “Mand Sobhan Star” Joy Fernandes, “Gulf Voice of Mangalore” 1st runner up Warren D’Souza & Donald Correa and his wife Asha Corres, who mesmerized the crowd with super hit old and new Konkani numbers.
Avin Mascarenhas “The youngest Music Director from Mangalore of Team Imperials and his team Arun Carlo (Sweet Melodies) along with Roshan Carlo, Vincent Fernandes, drummer Milan Baptist, entertained the crowd thoroughly. Arun Lobo’s Feet Beat Group little kids danced tot the beautiful Bollywood dances.
The doctor of laughter medicine, young playwright, director and ace comedy actor Nellu Permannur provided laughter tonic supported by Lavina Gomes, Clevin D’Souza and Godwin Castelino to the audience enjoying his school boy type comedy and skits enjoying at every break and rib tickling humour. The entire event was compered by internationally famed Ronald Olivera in his unique and scintillating style and had the crowd under his control all through out.
Special guests of the event sister of Jerald Lobo, Mother of Johnson Monteiro and S.R.S. sister to honoured with flower bouquets on the occasion.
The winning team of the day “Yellow” group was given a grand prize.
The Raffle draw was drawn on entry tickets and housie-housie game was followed winners were given away with valuable prizes. Finally once again Rony D’Cunha had the entire crowd under his control when he and his singing partners sang baila with foot tapping numbers and the audience just danced and danced till they were drained.
“TUNES IN DUNES” the musical magic first show by Vamanjoorean Parishioners in U.A.E. was indeed a great and most memorable show put up by young and dynamic team which enjoyed fully not only by Vamanjooreans but all other guests and audience who attended the great grand musical show. A great day to be remembered for a long long time to go…
The entire show was webcast live by www.bellevision.com and also all recording is available now and can be watched along with this report.