Media Release
Nottingham (UK), Apr 26: Mangalorean United Konkani Association (MUKA) of Nottingham-UK celebrated Easter at the Bramcote Memorial Hall on the April 21, in the presence of over 200 Mangalureans from every corner of the UK, mainly many members from the KCA-Manchester UK.
The day began with the Holy Mass celebrated by Fr Charles Menezes, in Konkani. The theme was ‘Give peace a chance’. The altar was beautifully decorated by the members of MUKA. The choir was well conducted by the very talented Deepak Alvares, with his guitar skills and beautifully selected hymns. The choir was well supported by talented singers with their melodious voices giving out the message about our Risen Christ. Budding musicians showcased their talent with their skills on key board, violin which enhanced the choir. Averil Alvares was on the Queen of the instrument- Violin, on the keyboard Jesvita Menezes, Alrica Sequeira, Sandrea Lobo, Erica D'Souza, Hailey Fernandes and Jennifer Menezes.
Fr Charles invited the congregation to celebrate Easter with the Risen Lord, sharing peace among all and experience the presence that Jesus is alive.The offertory collected during the mass will be donated to the Nirmala Mandir Girls Orphanage, Shivamogga, Karnataka state, India which is run by the Sisters of St Charles Borromeo. This centre facilitates the 70 children towards the marginal studies from 1st standard to 12th standard.
The cultural programme followed the Eucharistic celebration. The programme was compered by Sunitha Rodrigues, welcoming the audience with Easter wishes. Then she invited Fr Charles Menezes and Pius Rasquinha, vice president Anita Menezes and secretary Shalini Pinto to the stage. President Pius Rasquinha welcomed the gathering with his brief speech and Easter wishes.
Vice president Anita Menezes and secretary Shalini Pinto presented the bouquet of flowers and a thanking card with a gift to Fr Charles to show humble appreciation.
The cultural programme began with the prayer dance by Dorothy D'Souza, Alrica Sequeira and Cristal Rodrigues, by praising our Lord Almighty, the creator of the universe in the Konkani version of ‘Sagle Sristecha Rasnara’, which upheld the richness of Indian Classical steps and rhythm, choreographed by Dorothy D’Souza.
Great performances followed. The Bollywood style of dance was by the little champs, Alroy Sequeira, Aaron Aranha, Aiden Menezes, Ethan Alvares and Sohan Saldanha, who proved that they can move the body to any groovy music. This dance was well choreographed by Anitha Sequeira. Yet another dance was performed by the little angels Daisy D’Souza, Freya Fernandes, Jaylea D'Souza and Sophia Lobo to the Konkani and Spanish music choreographed by Dorothy D’Souza. Mash up Dance was performed by the junior girls of MUKA to the music of Hindi and English choreographed by Dorothy D’Souza and girls themselves.
Adding to the programme, the Konkani song ‘Konkani Amchi Bhas’ was sung by talented singers with their melodious voices.The short skit ‘Me Too’ in Konkani was staged by versatile actors Pius Rasquinha, John Fernandes, Jeevan Menezes, Stany Sequeira and Joy Pinto which made the audience laugh their guts out.
Lunch was served with delicious mouthwatering Mangalurean style delicacies, to name pork bafat, mutton curry, buns, rice and dhal, vegetable and sweet ‘vorn’ which was cooked by the members and families of MUKA.
The chefs were Conrad and Florine Aranha, Stany and Anitha Sequeira, Vincy and Sunita D'Souza, Wilfy and Sunitha Rodrigues, Harry and Precilla Lobo, Mary and Frederick D’Sa, Jeevan and Anita Menezes, John and Flossy Fernandes, Joy and Shalini, Jerald and Nympha Alvares, with their skills brought out the delicious food to the table.
The afternoon session began with VincyTaccode with his humorous comedy act kept the audience awake. Joshua D’Souza showed his talent on the keyboard. The dance performed by the teenage girls of KCA-Manchester brought back the audience back to their seat. MUKA’s talented teenagers Hailey, Jesvita, Averil and Melvia stormed the stage with their Bollywood style dance to the Hindi, Punjabi and English music. This was followed by the solo singers Sweeney, Denzil and Ancita mesmerized the audience with their melodious voices. Adding to the list was group singing by the members of KCA Manchester and MUKA Nottingham, the Konkani song ‘Din ta din tana’, which was composed and sung, and the music directed by the great singer Stan Mendonca.
The lucky draws were drawn and the winners were felicitated with prizes. Prashanth Shetty sponsored the prizes.
Yet another skit in Konkani was played by the MUKA members Stany, John, Pius and Jeevan to entertain the gathering. The grand finale from the MUKA’s mixed adults group was danced to the music of Hindi, Konkani and Tulu songs by Anita, Nympha, Vinnette, Deepak, Naveen, Anson and Julian.
The day’s events were well captured by Vincent D’Souza and Julian Noronha with their videography / photography talent. The whole day’s event was well managed by compere Sunita Rodrigues.
The vote of thanks was rendered by the vice president Anita Menezes to appreciate the participations, the members, donations, well wishers and sponsors to make it a day to remember.
A programme can never be accomplished without a Housie game. This was conducted by Edmund and Maria. Laudate was sung by all to thank the Lord Almighty for showering His blessings to celebrate the feast of ‘Risen Christ’. The event was concluded with the traditional ‘Baila Blast’, which made everyone to jump on their feet to the groovy music.
MUKA thanked all the sponsors of the event, participants and supporters for making the day a memorable one, especially the members of KCA-Manchester/UK.