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Kuwait, Jan 16: Kuwait Canara Welfare Association (KCWA), a premier mangalorean association in Kuwait organized ‘Kala Utsav 2017’ on Friday Jan 13 at American International School, Maidan Hawally from 4:15 onwards. The main motto of the event was to bring the local talents to limelight, especially kids and also in support of ‘Jeevadaan’ and ‘Snehalaya’ in Mangaluru.

Gulf Baila Naach Semi-final was held during the event. Couple Ancil Benito and Lavina Rodrigues won the semi-finals and secured the ticket for finals which will be held in Qatar.

The highlight of the day was live band by KCWA kids "Soul Stirrers", Konkani short play "Keppyache Kesthavn" and children’s group singing by 102 kids which was a record in Kuwait Konkani stage. Other scintillating performances included variety of dances, Jokes and songs.
The program started with Bhajan - Aalaap from backstage by GVOM Season 5 finalist Glen Vas followed by live singing of KCWA Theme Song. The audience were formally welcomed and program was highlighted by compere of the evening Deepak Andrade after which President Albert Praveen Menezes welcomed the audience. After the introduction by Freya Saldanha, star kids of the event "Soul Stirrers" (Angel D’Mello, Ethan Fernandes, Nigel Saldanha, Raphael D’Souza, Megan Sanctis, Clyde D’Silva) took over the stage with their refreshing instrumental. They entertained the audience with selected Hindi and Konkani numbers.

Early Bird, Hamper Draw, Membership Draw and highest hamper sales prizes were distributed by Naveen Ranjit D’Souza, Norbert D’Souza and Joe Pereira. Judges of the "Gulf Baila Naach semi-finals" Singer/Choreographer Lolita Rodrigues Fronteiro and Classical/Folk trained dancer Susan Thomas Colaco were called to the stage by Freya Saldanha and were given flower bouquets and judging sheets. Three semi-finalist couples Ancil Benito/ Lavina Rodrigues, Nigel D’Souza/ Renita Pinto and Chemnis D’Souza/Cyndrella Gonsalves gave their best to entertain the audience and impress judges. Judges, participants and Jyothi Colaco who trained all the teams for semi-finals were honored with memento.

The merit scholarships and mementos were distributed to members’ children by Fr. Blany Pinto who excelled in the academic year 2015-16. They included Sam and Mabel Alphonso scholarship awards, Lawrence D’Souza scholarship awards, P V Saldanha scholarship awards, the Late Thomas Castelino scholarship awards and Harold D’Souza extra-curricular awards. GVOM winner Joyline Gonsalves, Sponsors Charles D’Sa and Lancy Vaz were honoured during the event. All the sponsors were felicitated with memento for their contribution to the event.
For the first time in the history of KCWA, 102 kids participated in Bhurgyalo Manddo and Group Singing which was directed by Konkani’s Golden voice Rony D’Cunha, Jasmine D’Cunha, Linette D’souza and coordinated by Steevan Misquith. GVOM finalist Glen Vas and GVOM Season 5 winner Joyline Gonsalves entertained the audience with their soul touching voiced solo songs "Tujo mog maka jala" and "Kotrunja". Christmas Crib, Christmas Star winners were honored with attractive prizes after which Ancil Benito and Lavina Rodrigues were announced as winner of Gulf Baila Naach semi-finals.

Presentation on Jeevadaan and Snehalaya was given by Steven Rego. The amount generated from this event will be going in support of HIV/AIDS patients ’Jeevadaan’ and home for the aged and abandoned ’Snehalaya - Shanthi Dham’ in Mangaluru.
Audience were entertained with variety dances such as Christmas Joy, Hip-Hop, Folk and rib tickling jokes by Lucy Aranha and Stephen Machado (Sopann), Lydia Misquith, Rajesh Fernandes and Linette D’souza (Jinye Khuris). Comedy drama "Keppyache Kesthavn" was superbly enacted by Stephen Machado, Anil Menezes, Rennie Menezes and Johnson Menezes. KCWA spiritual director Fr Noel D’Almeida appreciated its activities and wished everyone.

The program was ably compered by Deepak Andrade. Anil Fernandes conducted the early bird, membership and hamper draws. Vijay D’Souza and Steven Rego managed the merit scholarship awards  and sponsors felicitation respectively. Rajesh Aranha proposed the vote of thanks. Sound and lightings were provided by Anand D’Souza - Waves Events and Rentals. Videography was done by Blue ray digitals & SB media. Photography was done by Prem Crasto. Over 175 artists performed on stage in which most of them were kids. KCWA managing committee thanks all those who came forward to support this noble cause.