Christmas Spirit at 'CAMELOT' Mangalore

  •   Mon, Dec 29 2025
  •   By Ivan Saldanha-Shet

December 29, 2025

Mangalore history for at least five centuries has observed and highlighted CHRISTMAS. Its spirit for most Kanarites takes an Annual center stage and Konkani Catholics who know it as 'Home' for at least four plus centuries it is a prime place to rally annually perhaps. This year in spite of the many hurdles the world over Mangalore folks from around the Globe have come down and there are many celebrations and so on observed here. Most of our readers are familiar with the well known and special persona that is Dr. Michael Lobo. A prominent and credible Community Genealogist, Historian, philanthropist, activist, researcher and one that can be accorded many hats. Many around the world follow Dr. Lobo's FORUM of 500 plus, basically interacting on email and discussing various matters of concern and culture and literary domains almost daily involving some of the very erudite and professional people of Mangalore origin in a wide area. This social and highflying email interaction has brought out much about the Community and region since 2018, taking many unimaginable twists and turns. Now, at the Christmas season for the first time concerned citizens have joined Dr. Michael and put to good use his large sprawling ancestral residential property 'Camelot', adjacent to the Bijey Church/Lourdes School compound, on December 21, 2025, to organise a one day Christmas party mainly for deserving needy children, adding on a cultural evening on the same day.

Dr. Michael Lobo's missive as usual about this event of December 21, 2025 triggered a huge wave of enthusiasm. Here, our readers can glance at some of the highlights of the event compiled from Dr. Lobo's brief which will enlighten and entertain folks and readers of Daijiworld the world over. So, used here are prime excerpts from Dr. Michael Lobo's email and very few pictures. Let's proceed to note what Dr. Lobo mentioned:

"Some friends of mine organized a Christmas get-together in my own premises for orphans and children from less-privileged families. I am attaching a few photographs.

The morning session for the children was followed after a short break by a cultural programme – which I hope to conduct on a regular basis. On this occasion, there was a talk on two coffee table books, authored by William Pais. Well known Mangalore author Giselle Mehta was the keynote speaker.

The evening concluded with a few carols, headed by violinist Frank M. Lobo – who will complete 94 in February next year. I take this opportunity to wish all the forum members and their families the very best for this Christmas season and the New Year. Unlike the previous eight years over which this forum has been in existence, I have not compiled any special article relating to Christmas 2025."

Indeed we are fortunate that we are able to access this information and share with our esteemed readers. Grateful to Dr. Michael Lobo and may the Infant Saviour bless all humanity through 2026.

Further, it is right and necessary we glance at what has been written about Dr. Michael Lobo and his work recently in known publications:

1. Dr. Michael Lobo, Mangalore based well known, renowned English writer, genealogist, former scientist, an esteemed academic and literary personality, with several self-published books on the history and genealogy of Mangalore's Catholic community, a virtual mega computer. His unique expertise and dedication to preserving and sharing the rich stories of Kanara and Konkani Catholic region make him a highly valued figure in cultural circles. Dr. Lobo, who has dedicated decades of his life to singularly studying the Catholic community in Mangalore, offers a unique opportunity to explore the cultural depth and emotional resonance. His work highlights how these timeless moments, though far removed from the contemporary landscape of the city, continue to evoke a profound sense of nostalgia and connection.

One grief after another striking severe blows on him and his outlook has not dampened his aims, he has kept afloat to rebuild and retrieve the values of community culture, practically singlehandedly with no support or kindness from entities that can and need to shield his work with enthusiasm. Most of his printed books are available, but extraordinary Dr. Michael has taken it in his stride. The work that has gone into his publications are like that expanded over years on monolithic carvings of Hampi and the like. All seems neglected with few to admire and consume. His 10K page community genealogy compiled with years of research is pending publication. In this age of digitals and AI exposure and paper obsolescence the options are multiple. Also, his needs and health and welfare should be ensured as age catches up on him. As a start in the last months he has done wonders to make his sprawling residential campus a nature oriented state-of-the-art resort like place and community should feel proud and promote this place as a hub of community anthropology promoting as a resort in a city that is losing its nature and charm.

His lone efforts to respectfully save at least some of the gravestones destroyed from the Milagres Church flooring issue and Dr. Lobo as a personal initiative has been expending on curating the smashed tombstones at his residential facility at Bijey. At that point in time articles appeared focussing on damage control and not creating a disturbance. Dr. Michael Lobo's perspective from the point of view of a historian and genealogist is perfectly valid. Church authorities could have given Dr. Michael a fair hearing and partly met his requests at least, as he offered to bear the cost. Available tombstones removed could have been handed over to him. To make it worse a few months ago, in regard to the restoration of the historic St. Monica Chapel that is attached to Milagres Church, again the vintage tombstones were destroyed and discarded without anyone noticing, least of all Dr. Michael Lobo, which is indeed sad. Further, now the construction of new toilets adjoining the Monica Chapel in Milagres Church, straddling graves, is an insult to injury?

2. Efforts at documentation and display: His works highlight timeless moments, though far removed, continue to evoke a profound sense of nostalgia and connection. Dr. Michael's rare exhibition showcasing a collection of vintage images that capture the essence of traditional vintage weddings. Descendants of members of the community now scattered the world over, figure in the pictures. Curated by Dr. Lobo, a remarkable journey through time, celebrating the rich heritage of matrimonial traditions, is underway at ‘Camelot’ (Residence of Dr. Michael Lobo, Bijey). This exhibition of vintage wedding photographs offers a rare glimpse into the matrimonial history of families rooted in Kanara, this is the second round. He indicates that he has plans to have a series of showings from his vast and valuable archives about the Konkani Catholic historicity.

Dr. Michael Lobo is lauded for his role as a curator of this significant pictorial record and exposure. He must be thanked for shining a light on what would be a largely forgotten past. Active appreciation for the enormous public spirit underlying his tireless research and activities cannot be ignored. Indeed Dr. Michael has documented, for future generations, in a daringly different dedicated and unique scientific form, which is due honour. In times when print media and publishing in paper form, particularly in English, is losing out, as online, electronic, AI and more advanced forms are popular to the younger folk with little space for older folk. It is worth taking an admiring look at this 'gentle giant' Dr. Michael Lobo, and his huge contribution to the community in related matters. Yet it will be difficult to fathom, his work in particular has not only given a methodology to Kodialgars, but also an ideology among those Kanarites who live and flourish in the US and Europe and far off lands, fueling back-to-the-roots thinking among Konkani diaspora. Indeed we are fortunate that we are able to access this information and share with our esteemed readers. Grateful to Dr. Michael Lobo and may the Infant Saviour bless all humanity through 2026.

 

 
By Ivan Saldanha-Shet
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