Daijiworld Media Network – Doha
Doha, Sep 10: The nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, popularly celebrated as Monti Fest by Mangaloreans all over the world, makes one feel nostalgic bringing back the childhood memories. While in the earlier years Mangaloreans overseas waited eagerly for the arrival of new corns sent by their family members back home, the situation has changed drastically of recent. The Mangalorean Diaspora spread across the globe today celebrates Monti Fest traditionally wherever they are in typical Mangalorean style by sharing the new corns and then joining together for ‘novem jevann.’
The vibrant Konkani Speaking Community here is not an exception for this phenomenon. In fact Monti Fest is one of the most awaited celebrations by the KSC of Doha which mostly comprises of Konkani Speaking people from Goa, Mangalore and Mumbai. Every year the community joins together for the family meal and celebrates nativity with cultural extravaganza. Having celebrated the birthday of Mother Mary on September 8, 2011 evening, the Konkani Speaking Community gathered again on Friday September 9 evening to share their joy, enhance the community spirit and share traditional novem jevann. The theme of the evening was “Novem Jevann Novem Jivit’ and Konkani Speaking Committee presidnent Veena Rebimbus Pais, members Riana Pinto, Gill Cardoza, Effy Fernandes, Prakash Noronha, Alexis Castelino, John D’Sa, Alvo H Dias, Jao Camilo Gaunkar and Gurkar Vivian D’Souza were the ‘pirjent’for this year’s nativity celebrations. Over 900 people attended the celebrations.
The programme began with a group hymn Sobit Fulam by melodious children’s choir. Fr V J Menezes who assisted the KSC spiritually by leading a 9-day novena was the chief guest of the evening while KSC spiritual director Fr Anand Castelino presided over the stage programme. Konkani Speaking Committee president Veena Rebimbus Pais was also present on the dais.
Fr Anand Castelino Spiritual director of Konkani Speaking Community welcomed the gathering and delivered the keynote address. In his address Fr V J Menezes appreciated the services and contribution of KSC Doha. “It has been wonderful time here for the last few days. You have absolutely been cooperative, caring and loving and your love towards the spiritual life too is exemplary. Today too you have gathered such big numbers which proves that KSC Doha is a united and committed community,” he added. Fr Peter, the parish priest of the Catholic Church of Our Lady of Rosary Doha who too joined the celebrations thanked the KSC members for their generous services and contribution towards the welfare of the parish.
The winners of the drawing and Konkani hymn singing competitions organized by the KSC presented with their prizes. While Fr V J Menezes distributed the prizes to the winners of the drawing completion, Gerry D’Mello of Space Trading who was also the sponsors of these prizes distributed prizes to the winners of the hymn singing competition.
Once the dignitaries on the dais took their places among the audience, the cultural extravaganza began with the traditional dance of the Kudbi community by the children who were trained by Effy Noronha. The elegant little dancers staged a spectacular performance and provided a perfect start to the cultural programmes. The dance was followed by ‘Sobit Eik Ghar Kelam’, a Konkani duet by Preema Pinto (GVOM II runners-up) and her life partner Navin Pinto. The song composed by the late Wilfy Rebimbus received a thunderous applause from the audience.
Vivian D’Souza, one of the most active members of the KSC is known for his acting skills. This year again he was on stage with yet another side-splitting comedy skit along with Sandeep Noronha, Eva Wilma Pinto and Camilo Gaonkar. It was graceful dance to the tune of one of the most popular Goan Konkani song ‘Bebdo’ by Swizel and group that had the audience asking for more. This was followed by traditional Goan Manddo coordinated by Sandra Vas. It was a superb performance by mellifluous Goan singers and the ever-appreciative audience greeted them with great round of applause. ‘Mangalore Darshan’, a medley on Mangalore, coordinated by Veena Rebimbus Pais with the help of the Mangalorean choir group was another special attraction of the evening. The track for the medley was set by Remy D'Souza while Namita D'Souza contributed the beautiful slides that added weight to the enchanting medley.
The cultural programmes came to an end with the dance to the tunes of ‘Sobit Goa Sunder Goa’, yet another masterpiece by the late Wilfy Rebimbus. The dance choreographed and coordinated by Eddie Sequeira was presented by Sandeep-Jyothi, Lovelyn-Wilma, Gladson-Wilma and Navin-Elreena and a few chosen couples (one of the spouse either from Goa or Mangalore). It was a glorious tribute to the unity of Goans and Mangaloreans that has been the hallmark of Doha Konkani Speaking Community.
There were a few spot games conducted by the organizers for the audience. Dorothy Noronha, the compere of the evening stole the show with her impeccable mastery over Konkani and lively compering. She was superb in coordination, precise in presentation and spot on with her observations which made her compering a huge success.
After Fr V J Menezes invoked blessings on the meal, the gathering was served with traditional vegetarian meals as part of the Novem Jevann. The special meal with number of vegetables, sannas and vorn (traditional Mangalorean dessert) was savoured by the one and all with a true spirit of fellowship. The programme came to an end with the housie-housie conducted by Vivian D’Souza and Sony Rodrigues.
Photo Album : Click Here