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KON-CAB hosts the annual talents competition mega event Kalanjali-2022 at Bangalore

Covid-19 had forced an unprecedented break for two years on Kalanjali - the annual talent show of All Konkani Catholic Associations of Bangalore which is hosted and organized by KON-CAB every year. The coveted talent show Kalanjali-2022 came alive this year with great pomp and splendour on Sunday, 6th November 2022, at the Konkan Samudai Bhavan hall at Bangalore. For more than 25 years KON-CAB has been organizing this event and providing a platform for all the members of Konkani Associations in Bangalore to promote the language and culture and to keep our history alive.

The program began at 10.15 a.m. with the emcee Neri D’Silva inviting the KON-CAB President, Secretary and the Executive Committee on to the stage. KON-CAB President Vincent D’Souza formally inaugurated the program by lighting the lamp, accompanied by secretary Navya Monteiro, vice president Nora Menezes, immediate past president Arun Fernandes and Cultural secretary Sunil D’Cunha. Jhonas D’Souza led the inaugural prayer to invoke God’s blessings for the success of the program and a pious prayer to St Anthony, the patron saint of KON-CAB. Following this, Kalanjali 2022 was declared open by the President.

The program started with Konkani solo singing competitions for various age goups. The delighted audience were taken to the nostalgic grand era of the immortal melodies of Konkan Kogul Late Wilfy Rebimbus, Lorna Cordeiro and other great Konkani musicians. There were some melodious numbers from the latest Konkani heartthrobs like Kevin Misquith and Prajoth D’Sa’s albums too. The Konkani Group Singing competition was a great hit among the audience, with great performances from the tiny tots and the elders dressed in amazing group uniforms and costumes. The group singing competition has certainly raised the bar to concert standards with Tenors, Baritones and Sopranos.

The next event was Fancy Dress Competition for various age groups, showcasing creative and innovative ideas, with nice make up, interesting outfits and props, which entertained the audience thoroughly. Right from the tiny tots who could barely walk, upto the elderly participants, everyone displayed mesmerizing talents in the Fancy Dress competition.

Next in line was the short Konkani Comedy Skit competition which was enjoyed by the packed crowd in the auditorium. The witty dialogues and humorous acting by the competing performers left the audience in splits.

The final competition was group dance for various age groups. It started with the young kids group including some tiny tots dancing to the famous Bollywood and Hollywood tunes followed by the dashing dancers of 35 years and above age group who left the audience mesmerized as they performed to the Konkani songs which is the mandatory criteria for this age group. The icing on the cake was the final dance competition for youth group where the energy levels peaked and thrilled the cheering audience to the core in the packed auditorium.

Kalanjali has been raising the bar every year. The fierce competition brings the best talent out from the Konkani Associations in Bangalore, and it is also a memorable entertainment to the audience who are left in awe by the performers. The judges have the toughest job to declare the winning individuals and groups among all the closely fought contests.

The competitions were judged by well qualified and experienced judges, who are masters in their respective categories. The panel of judges included:

Singing: Mr. Rex D’Silva, Mr. Winkle Mathias and Mr. Lester D’Souza
Fancy Dress & Comedy Skit: Rev. Fr. Sunil Kumar D’Souza, Mr. David Fernandes and Mrs. Asumpta Fernandes
Inter Association Dance: Mrs. Anitha Jarad, Ms. Smitha Krishnan and Mr. Danny

The audience were eagerly waiting for the final leg of the event which is the stage program presided over by KON-CAB President. The Chief Guest for Kalanjali-2022 was Roshan Menezes, a well-known educationist, and Administrator of Carmel High School, Basaveshwaranagar. KON-CAB President Vincent D’Souza escorted the Chief Guest to the dais. The Guest of Honour Mr. Silvian Noronha – Chairman of FKCA and a well-known entrepreneur, was escorted to the dais by KON-CAB Secretary Navya Monteiro. The Presidents of all Konkani Associations of Bangalore, were welcomed to the dais by KON-CAB Cultural Secretary Sunil D’Cunha. KON-CAB President Vincent D’Souza honoured the Chief Guest and the Guest of Honour and all the Presidents of Konkani Catholic Associations of Bangalore, present on the dais.

The Chief Guest Roshan Menezes, in his speech lauded the efforts of KON-CAB in arranging such a mega event, for the past 25+ years. He recalled the fond memories of his younger days where he used to participate as a competitor and how the program has evolved over the years as a prestigious platform to showcase the talents. He encouraged the Konkani community members to make use of this platform to identify and showcase the hidden talents which go unnoticed if not explored.

The Guest of Honour acknowledged the hard work put in by KON-CAB team in organizing this mega event every year and thanked KON-CAB President and entire Executive Committee for the wholehearted support received from KON-CAB in all FKCA activities.

KON-CAB President Vincent D’Souza spoke about the challenges post the Covid-19 pandemic, in mobilising the various Konkani Associations of Bangalore and their members as the entire dynamics has changed for work, location, work-life balance etc. He thanked all the Association Presidents and office bearers for their whole-hearted support to make this event a grand success.

Then he accompanied the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour to felicitate the wards of KON-CAB members who had excelled in academics, sports and arts. The recipients of the Excellence Award are:

Name    Excellence    Parents
Ms.Primal Anna D’Souza    98.8% in SSLC    Mr. & Mrs. Priya D’Souza and  Peter D’Souza
Ms.Samantha Julian Misquith    95.8% in ICSE 10th Std    Mr. & Mrs. Rosamma Ligi and Sunil Misquith
Ms.Brianna Crizanne Pereira    86% in ICSE 10th Std    Mr. & Mrs. Clarita and Agnel Godwin Pereira
Ms.Serena Eugene Francis    93.66% in PUC    Mr. & Mrs. Sunitha and Eugene Arun Francis
Ms.Arica Caniella Pereira    93.33% in PUC    Mr. & Mrs. Clarita and Agnel Godwin Pereira
Master Rolwin Cardoza    92.22% in CBSE 12th Std    Mr. & Mrs. Patricia and Atul Daniel Cardoza 
Ms.Minal D’Cunha    88% in ISC 12th Std    Mr. & Mrs. Mabel and Sunil D’Cunha
Ms.Rexita Menezes    8.33 CGPA    Mr. & Mrs. Santan and Ronel Menezes

Finally, it was time for the anxiously awaited Prize distribution. The Chief Guest, Guest of Honour, KON-CAB President, Secretary, Cultural Secretary and the Presidents of all Konkani Associations present on the dais distributed the prizes to the winners of the cultural competitions as the winners’ names were called out.

About 12 Associations from Bangalore took part in Kalanjali 2022 competitions, and the auditorium was packed with a large number of participants and their supporters from several Konkani Associations from Bangalore.

There was stiff competition for the “Most Talented Team” rolling trophy. New entrants Konkani Kutamb Bansawadi were placed third in the points table. Konkani Samudai Jayanagar did very well in singing events and were leading in the points table halfway through the competition. In the end they had to be content with the second place as the hosts KON-CAB team won the rolling trophy bagging the highest points by climbing the podium in many group events.

The program was compeered by Neri D’Silva with support from Navya Monteiro, Arun Sequeira, Mable D’Cunha and Jhonas D’Souza.
KON-CAB Secretary, Navya Monteiro proposed the vote of thanks and thanked everyone for their support and cooperation, as the daylong competitions with loads of entertainment came to an end with a promise to come back next year with next edition of Kalanjali.

The Winners of the various categories held at Kalanjali 2022 are as follows:

Konkani Singing Solo upto 4th Std:    
1. Aahana Franco, Konkani Samudai Jayanagar
2. Neil Rhian, Konkani Samudai Jayanagar
3. Neil Riaan, Sezari Bommanahalli

Konkani Singing Solo 5th to 7th Std:    
1. Aarush Franco, Konkani Samudai Jayanagar
2. Neil Newton DCosta, KONCAB
3. Niharika Sarah, Sezari Bommanahalli

Konkani Singing Solo 8th to 12th Std:    
1. Cleon Furtado, Konkani Samudai Jayanagar
2. Andria Victoria Pereira, KCWA RT Nagar
3. Elvia Dsouza, Sezari Bommanahalli

Konkani Singing Solo College & Above:    
1. Joette Sachel Dsouza, KONCAB
2. Calvin Suares, KCWA RT Nagar
3. Seema Joslin Dsouza, BKCS Koramangala

Konkani Singing Group upto 7th Std:    
1. Ekvot group, Konkani Samudai Jayanagar
2. Chim Chim Taaraam, KONCAB

Konkani Singing Group 8th Std & above:    
1. Geeth Laaram, KCA Bangalore
2. Primal Miranda and Group, BKCS Koramangala

Fancy Dress Solo upto UKG:        
1. Adel Rodrigues, KONCAB
2. Cheryl D’Souza, Konkani Kutamb, Banaswadi
3. Leonora Princia D’Souza,BKCS Koramangala

Fancy Dress Solo 1st to 4th Std :
1. Kieron Machado, Konkani Samudai Jayanagar
2. Jason, MKCK Kalyananagar
3. Avaan Dsouza, KONCAB

Fancy Dress Solo 5th to 7th Std:        
1. Dishan Jovan Fernandes,BKCS Koramangala
2. Neil Newton D’Costa, KONCAB
3. Tanya Fernandes,BKCS Koramangala

Fancy Dress Solo 8th to 12th Std:        
1. Cleon Furtado, Konkani Samudai Jayanagar
2. Michelle Furtado, Konkani Samudai Jayanagar
3. Nolen Pinto, KONCAB

Fancy Dress Solo College and Above:    
1. Navya Monteiro, KONCAB
2. Nathli Williams, BKCS Koramangala
3. Jennifer Lobo, Konkani Samudai Jayanagar

Inter-Association Comedy Skit:        
1. Zadthi by Steven D’Silva & Grp, KONCAB
2. Konkani Kutamb team, Banaswadi   

Inter-Association Dance upto 7th Std:    
1. WonderKidz, KONCAB
2. Chandr group, Konkani Samudai Jayanagar

Inter-Association Dance above 35yrs:    
1. Konkani Kutamb team, Banaswadi
2. Retro Rockers, KONCAB

Inter-Association Dance 8th Std & above:   
1. The Crunk House,KONCAB
2. Konkani Kutamb team, Banaswadi