Media Release
Singapore, Sep 23: SingManGo, a vibrant and cohesive community of Mangalorean’s and Goans residing in Singapore, came together in full strength to celebrate the much-cherished Monthi Fest, a feast deeply rooted in tradition, unity, and gratitude on September 13. What unfolded was far more than a festive gathering, it was a heartfelt expression of faith, family spirit, and enduring friendships. From its modest beginnings with just a handful of families, SingManGo has blossomed into a thriving community of over 150 members, proudly nurturing and celebrating the cultural heritage of Mangalore and Goa in the heart of Singapore.
The celebration began with a solemn Eucharistic mass at St Clare Hall of St Mary of the Angels Church, beautifully led by Fr Venus Colaco, Asst parish priest at Church of Divine Mercy, Pasir Ris, Singapore - https://youtu.be/I3JO1Y9rGmc?feature=shared. Special gratitude was extended to the parish priest, Friar Michael D’Cruz, and his team for graciously providing the venue for this joyous occasion. The mass was uplifted by the melodious voices of the choir members – Ameeta Sequeira, Andrina Pais, Eugenie Monteiro, Mabel Prabhu, Nandita D’Souza, Reuben Alvares, Rohit Khurana, Schamane Baretto, Shyla D’Souza and Shalini Lobo supported by Prashanth D’Souza on the keyboard and Jayesh Fernandes on the guitar, whose harmonious singing, following weekends of practice that enriched friendship, created an atmosphere of spiritual depth and devotion.
In keeping with cherished tradition, Novem (new paddy) arranged by Ida Monis from her relative’s fields in Mangalore was blessed and distributed to the faithful after Mass, symbolizing gratitude for the harvest and God’s providence. This age-old ritual not only honours the community’s agrarian roots but also deepens community’s bond with the Blessed Mother.
The Mass was followed by a graceful prayer dance by the children - https://youtu.be/aE-rnYycZ1k?feature=shared, and a solemn procession to Our Lady’s Grotto. Young ones, carrying beautifully decorated baskets of flowers, showered petals before the statue of Mother Mary, symbolizing innocence and devotion. The singing of traditional Konkani Marian hymns, including the ever-beloved “Sakkad Sangatha Melyan”, “Morieyek Hogolsiyan” evoked a sense of nostalgia while uniting the congregation in prayerful harmony.
No Monthi Fest is complete without a grand meal, and this year was no exception! Following the solemn spiritual celebrations, the congregation reconvened at St Clare Hall to share the fellowship meal, the traditional Monthi Fest Jevan.
Thanks to Lylesh Menezes, the community enjoyed a sumptuous spread catered by spices and curries and served by devoted volunteers. Presented on traditional banana leaves, the meal was a celebration of unity, gratitude, and cultural heritage, a joyful reminder that Monthi Fest is as much about togetherness as it is about faith.
The lavish menu featured a wide array of South Indian vegetarian delicacies, from plain dum biryani, black channa sundal, and vegetable sambar to assorted starters and flavourful curries alongside select non-vegetarian favorites such as boneless chicken 65 and mutton curry. A tempting variety of desserts, including pasi paruppu payasam, pineapple kesari, and the much-cherished blessed Novem, lent both spiritual and cultural depth to the occasion, finding its sweetest expression in the traditional vorn prepared by Laveena Vaz completed the feast. Adding a special touch to the jevan was the community’s much-loved dukra mass, lovingly prepared by Ashok Serrao, Flora Cutinha, and Pratibha Saldanha, a highlight of the feast that delighted many.
The cultural programme was a true highlight of the celebration, brought to life through Shalini Lobo’s exceptional choreography and her ability to inspire participation across all ages. Children - https://youtu.be/FAPVceRk60M?feature=shared, ladies - https://youtu.be/14CLfdQLzvY?feature=shared, and even the menfolk - https://youtu.be/Vmne9emPJzg?feature=shared, took to the stage with infectious enthusiasm, delivering performances that held the audience spellbound. Their wholehearted performance not only entertained but also motivated many others, especially the men, to step forward for future performances.
The musical performances were equally captivating. Little Rachel Pereira charmed everyone with her sweet rendition of “Kutu-kutu-kutu-kutu-kutu-kartha Kotrunja” by Wilfy Remimbus, accompanied on the keyboard by her brother Roger Pereira - https://youtu.be/Q6YQr4SMWsI?feature=shared. Keisha D’Souza’s soul-stirring performance wowed the crowd with her rendition of “I Could Have Danced All Night” from My Fair Lady beautifully expressed the joy of discovering something new, earning her even more admirers both in the hall and on Instagram - https://youtu.be/tgvpbutI7jQ?feature=shared.
Adding to the festivity, Prashanth D’Souza kept the audience entertained with his melodious keyboard tunes in Hindi and Konkani, while the finale brought the house down as Merlie Pais, Reuben Alvares, Jayesh Fernandes, and Nasvill Pereira got everyone tapping their feet with a lively medley of songs.
Every aspect of the celebration was thoughtfully curated by the events team and with Kevin Machado’s graceful emceeing, the congregation were guided through the traditional flower offering and the lively lunch programme.
The day’s cherished moments were beautifully captured by our volunteer photographers Jai Sankar, Manish Pinto, and Joel Menezes.
Beyond the traditional rituals, the evening came alive with performances and activities, enlivened by prizes generously sponsored by Joyce Karkada and Rajendra Shetty. Games led by Joy Kevin Machado, Nasvill Pereira and Mary Lopis kept everyone engaged, adding laughter and light-hearted fun to the festive spirit.
A big thank-you goes out to all the volunteers who made the day run so smoothly - Agnes D’Souza, Amita Prabhu, Ananth Prabhu, Brayan Cutinha, Christoph Monteiro, Davis Gonsalves, Deepika Cutinha, Francis D’Souza, Gavin Gonsalves, Ida Monis, Jenita Lopis, Joseph D’Souza, Joy Lilly D’Souza, Joyson D’Sa, Juanita Roche, Karen Saldanha, Keith Saldanha, Loy Soares, Sharon Soares, Vinod Pinto and many more.
Monthi Fest once again proved that it truly “takes a village” (kutam) to make a celebration meaningful. The dedication of the SingManGo Events Organizing Team - Divya Gomes, Kevin Machado, Lylesh Menezes, Mary Lopis, Nasvill Pereira, Noel Saldanha, Pratibha Saldanha, Priya D’Souza and Tina Alvares ensured that every detail, from planning to execution, came together seamlessly.
The true spirit of the day was brought alive by the overwhelming participation of community members, whose presence made the celebration unforgettable.
The SingManGo Monthi Fest 2025 was not merely a celebration, but a heartfelt affirmation of faith, culture, and togetherness. With hearts uplifted, appetites satisfied, and spirits soaring, the community joyfully looked ahead to keeping this treasured tradition alive for generations to come.