Write Comment     |     E-Mail To a Friend     |     Facebook     |     Twitter     |     Print

Doha Qatar, Jan29: The much awaited “Mangalorean Day” organized by Mangalore Cricket Club (MCC) was celebrated by the MCC members and the Mangalorean community on Friday, 27th January 2017 at the new MES School CBSE-I Auditorium. Mangalorean Day celebrated as a family day is a complete package of music, dance, food and fun galore. The main highlights of the event were the Gulf Baila Naach Qatar Prelims in which Naveen D’Souza and Vijayi D’Souza were chosen as the best Baila couple of Qatar to represent Qatar in the Gulf Baila Naach Finals to be held in Qatar on April 28, 2017. 

Mangalorean day stage was set up in a special way bringing back all the traditional items on the stage, traditional matov background making it look so natural.  The lower part of the stage was decorated as a natural vegetable garden and with all traditional items displayed bringing back our Mangalorean culture alive. 

The evening began with an opening welcome note from Master of Ceremony Sandeep Noronha. The audiences were then welcomed by a MCC themed welcome song presented by the 14 MCC members from the composition of Remy D’Souza.   Little tiny tots Gia Noronha, Rowina Lobo, Siyona Monthero, Michelle Lewis, Deona Gomes, Kaeton Lewis, Ethan D’Souza, Gladwin Furtado, Bryan Monthero and Shawn D’Sa won the hearts of all with their wonderful performance dancing to the song “Devan Rochlolo Saunsar” beautifully choreographed by Wendy Lewis and Shalini Monthero .

President Prakash Noronha welcomed the gathering and appreciated the efforts put by all committee members as well as members by contributing in cultural program, stage arrangements, food stalls, participation in competitions and for supporting in successfully hosting this event.  He truly appreciated all for their presence in large number which meets the club mission “Yeya ek Kutamb bhandhya”. He also informed of forthcoming medical awareness program, 25 years grand celebration program with “Gulf Baila Naach” contest with all GCC participation to be held in Doha Qatar on 28 April 2017 and requested the same support from all members and invited our new Mangaloreans arrived in Qatar to join the MCC family as members.

This was followed by a beautiful solo song “Angelina” from Patrick D’Souza. The most awaited program “Gulf Baila Naach”– Qatar Prelims kicked off with the promo song of Gulf Baila Naach.  The jury for Baila Naach were Mr. Vinod Sequeira, Bollywood Dance Choreographer from V Dynamite’s Dance Crew- Dubai (Founder of Ocean kids Dance Institute Dubai & India) and Mrs. Annette Venkat, MCC member longtime resident in Qatar, trained Kathak dancer, choreographed several folk dances, dance teacher and educator with a special interest in art and dancing were the judges of the contest.  Judges were called to the stage and greeted with a rose and Cultural Secretary handed over the judging sheets to them. The 5 contestants in this contest  were Greg D’ Cunha/ Dr. Reema Aletta Fernandes, Rupesh Stiven Pais/Violet Clamy Pais, Naveen D’Souza/Vijayi D’Souza, Shown Fernandes/Merwin Rita Mendonsa and Jeevan Rayan Ferrao/Sunitha D’Souza. Audience witnessed some mesmerizing dance performances on great Baila beat songs from all 5 contestants giving a tough competition to each other and a tough time to the judges too. 

Gulf Voice of Mangalore GVOM -5 First Runner-up in both male and female category Carol D’Souza & Clement Fernandes were honoured with a shawl, memento and flower bouquet by Chief Guest Fr. Anand Castelino, Asst. Parish Priest & Spiritual Director of Konkani Community of Rosary Church, Guest of Honour Fr. Andrew D’Souza, Parish Priest from Pakshigere parish on visit to Doha along with President Prakash Noronha & Vice President Ronald Saldanha.  Carol D’Souza and Clement Fernandes then shared a few words of appreciation to MCC and members for the encouragement, love and support showered on them.   Chief Guest Fr. Anand and Guest of Honour Fr. Andrew D’Souza also spoke on the occasion congratulating MCC on this occasion of bringing all Mangaloreans together to have a funfilled day and keeping Mangalorean culture alive far away from home.

Vanessa Shingare, daughter of Deena & Late Bernard Shingare was felicitated for her achievements in Academics and Sports field in 2016. All the participants of Monthi Fest cultural program held in September 2016 were recognized with a token of appreciation memento for their participation in cultural program by the dignitaries on the stage. 

 Mishal Lobo, past joint Cultural Secretary conducted this session. GVOM-5 Runners-up Carol D’Souza rendered a solo song “Muje Kaaliz Mogar Podla” from  Late Wilfy Rebimbus album while Clement Fernandes rendered solo song “Guitarache Thaar” from Maand Sobhan album in their melodious voices.  It was followed by a scintillating dance from teenagers Ashlyn Monteiro, Clarina Pinto and Larissa Tauro on the song “Ye Nari Ye” by Remo Fernandes GVOM 3 Qatar Finalist, Composer and singer Mr. Remy D’Souza then rendered a beautiful solo song “Lovelina” composed by Lloyd Rego.  Multi talented Clement Fernandes along with Anil Coutinho & George Menezes presented a short skit “Shipry Melo” and entertained the crowd.    New rising talent Jeevan Rayan Ferrao sang a beautiful composition of Kevin Misquith “Kedna Kedna” .

MCC then felicitated MCC Ladies Throwball team players who are reigning Champions under the captaincy of Indira Kunder with their successive win over the past 3 years.  MCC Advisors Alfred Sequeira and Norbert Corda presented them with a gift. Ryan Renjar, Joint Secretary conducted this session.

This was followed by another interesting Voviyo/Verse (ವೊವಿಯೋ ಆನಿಂ ವೇರ್ಸ್) competition which was held for the first time to add flavor to Mangalorean Day and to uplift the traditional rich culture of Mangalore.  There were four groups of participants in this competition who sang different meaningful voviyos/verse of different categories and really presented them very well with good preparation making a really tough competition bringing alive the Mangalorean culture and tradition creating a Roce & wedding scene on stage.  This contest was judged by, past MCC President Mr. Richard D’Souza,  Fr. Andrew D’Souza and senior MCC member and   a good actor Mr. Alwyn Goveas were the judges for this contest who were greeted with a rose and General Secretary Riana Pinto handed over the judging sheets to them.

Throughout the evening, variety of home cooked Mangalorean food was on sale at the food stalls.  The homemade Mangalorean delicacies such as Goli Baje, Charmuri, Dal Vaada, pakodas, sandwiches, sheera, vorn, Appams, Sannas, Panpale, Pathalyo, Sheviyo, Mandaas, Cutlets,  Chicken Sukka, Chicken Roce curry, Chicken Green Masala, Chicken Ghee Roast,  Mutton curry,  etc 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 filled food fiesta and crowd truly enjoyed variety delicious food.

Vote of thanks was then proposed by Cultural Secretary Prabha Rego. President Prakash Noronha and Vice President Ronald Saldanha were invited to the stage along with Advisors Sunil D’Silva and Jessy Mendonca to honour the winners of Voviyo/Verse competition.  Richard D’Souza, one of the judge gave his feedback on this innovative competition and declared Emilda Pinto & Group as the winners. Emilda Pinto was supported by Jane Pinto, Treesa Goveas, Dorothy Noronha, Errol Tauro and Merwyn D’Souza.   The other teams Hema Fernandes & Group, Savious Crasta & Group and Suraj Noronha & Group were all given a participation gift.

Prakash Noronha & Ronald Saldanha then honoured the Baila dance judges with a memento. Judges then handed over the results to the President.  Judges gave their feedback mentioning the competition was tough and all were winners with their superb performances. All contestants were called to the stage and MC Sandeep Noronha declared the results Vijayi D’Souza/Naveen D’Souza as the winners of this contest and will represent Qatar in the Finals while Greg D’Cunha/Dr. Reema Fernandes were the first runner-up.  All other participants were presented with a memento each. 

Lucky draw for the sale of mobile was conducted and Wendy Lewis emerged as the lucky winner.  Finally the day’s event came to an end with a game of Bingo conducted by Alphonse D’Silva and Shameen Lewis. 

MC Sandeep Noronha was at his best and did an excellent job compering the program meticulously which made the program more successful.   Sound and lights were provided and managed by Naveen Melwin D’Souza.  

Mangalore Cricket Club wishes to thank Christen Denzil Lobo, Head of Volunteers, Sunil D’Silva Head of Food committee and all their group of volunteers under their supervision, all the generous members who prepared variety dishes, the choreographers, all participants, Godfrey & Effey Noronha, William Lobo and Shalini Monthero who decorated the beautiful stage and all those who came together as one BIG FAMILY and have contributed towards the run-away success of  this ‘Mangalorean Day’.  It was indeed a Mangalorean Family Day thoroughly enjoyed by all along with delicious food, fun, and cultural fiesta.