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A MELODIOUS KONKANNI UTSAV IN
MUSCAT
"BORPI MITHR
PUROSKAR-2001" awarded to Walter Nandalike.
A great Konkanni musical mega Nite
on the Arab soil, titled "Konkanni Utsav" was staged in the
parish Hall of Ruwi, Muscat, on the 8th November 2001 evening.
The hall was packed to its capacity by the Konkanni lovers, much
in advance of the scheduled start of the show. The programme
took off at 9.30 p.m. with a welcome speech by the President of
M.C.C.P. Shri Henry Martis. The chief guest for the event was
Rev.Fr.Samuel Sequeira, the editor-in-chief of "JANAVAHINI" a
popular secular Kannada daily newspaper. Another Mangalorean
priest Rev.Fr.Albert D'Silva was also one of the honoured guest
at the show. Rev.Fr.Varghese, parish priest of Ruwi Church was
also present.
The main highlight of the function
was the awarding of the first "Borpi Mithr Puraskaar 2001". The
award was bestowed upon none other than the creator of
Konkanni web site "Daijidubai.com" Shri Walter D'Souza,
Nandalike for his invaluable contribution towards the promotion
of Konkanni language. Shri Walter is a talented and reputed
Konkanni writer from his early age. He has uplifted the Konkanni
language to the modern times by creating this unique web site
for Konkanni lovers. No wonder that he was the right choice for
the first award of Konkanni writers' forum in Oman known as "Borpi
Mithr. Muscat". The award ceremony was started by distribution
of the memento to the artistes who made the event possible.
The winner of 'Borpi Mithr Puraskaar 2001' award, announced by
the chief guest Rev.Fr.Samuel Sequeira, was a great surprise for
Shri Walter who had visited Oman just to attend the Konkanni
Utsav. The winner was honoured in a traditional manner by
placing a shawl on his shoulders and a felicitation address was
read and presented to him by Shri Gerry D'Mello. He was also
presented with an artistic memento. In reply, Shri Walter
thanked the Borpi Mithr for this great surprise honour. He
remarked that this honour will further encourage him to serve
the Konkanni language wherever he may go. He dedicated his award
to his entire team specially, great Konkanni Poet and
backbone of the site Shri Melvyn Rodrigues. Also he thanked Shri
Hemacharya, CGS Takode, Francis Fernandes Cascia and all the
Members of Daijidubai.
During his speech, the chief guest Rev.Fr.Samuel expressed his
happiness over the 'Konkanni Utsav'. He found an amusing answer
here as to why the Konkanni cultural activities back home in
Mangalore are diminishing. It was because most of the Konkanni
artistes have migrated to the Gulf countries in search of a job.
But he was very happy that they are culturally active here in
promoting the Konkanni language. He also urged the audience, to
help his daily newspaper "Janavahini" which is a powerful
exponent of the minority community. Finally, MCCP chairman Shri
Stanley Fernandes raised the vote of thanks.
 
Gerry D`Mello and Allen
Fernandes in song titled "Konkanni Utsav".
Clarence Compere of the show
The other highlights of the "Konkanni
Utsav" were really entertaining. The meaningful words wrapped
with tilting music, sung by Konkanni's budding composers Shri
Allen Fernandes & Shri Gerry D'Mello were very much appreciated
by the audience with their rhythmic hand clapping and foot
tapping. Mr.Savio D'Souza, and his renowned music band kept the
entire show lively by their musical accompaniment.
The dances choreographed by Oman's No.1 Konkanni choreographer
Smt.Sonia D'Souza were superb and breathtaking. The hilarious
jokes at regular intervals of the show by great comedians Shri
Walter Mendonca and Shri Walter Pinto accompanied by Shri Harry
Lewis, Shri Joachim Lasrado & Smt Helen Sequeira enthralled the
audience with laughter. Konkanni poem recitation by noted
Konkanni writer / poet Shri Wilfred R. Pangla was really very
enlightening. The organisers of the Konkanni Utsav who are
united under the slogan "Pass on the Konkanni language to the
next generation" felt amply satisfied when the children's group
sang the melodious song of "Konkanni Bhas amkan zai!".
The day's cultural medley also presented other entertaining
items like Goan dance, Konkanni folk dance, bridal dance, adult
group songs etc. The whole show was ably compered by none other
than the noted Konkanni writer and convener of 'Borpi Mithr'
Shri.Clarence Pinto, Kaikamba. The show concluded with a great
non-stop Konkanni medley "mando" which spurred some section of
the audience to come to the floor and have a free-for-all dance.
The Konkanni Utsav was a great experience for the audience to
cherish forever.
Please click here to view photo album
News : Our Muscat Correspondent
Photographs: Thomas Saldanha,
Dubai
Presentation of Divo Sahitya Seva Puraskar 2001
News & Album (Click here)
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