Media Release

Mangaluru, Nov 10: 'Veez' Konkani is the first Konkani e-magazine to be published in four popular scripts. Its 101st issue will be released in the presence of Dr Austin Prabhu, editor of the e-magazine functioning from Chicago, during ‘Ek Konkani Sanz’ organized on November 24 at St Agnes College, Bendore.

The stage programme will be presided over by Fr Chetan Lobo, former editor of Uzwad magazine. Konkani’s prominent figures Bab Basti Vaman Shenoy and Bab Eric Ozario along with Bab Hemcharya, Dr Edward Nazareth, Sr Dr Jeswina ACand Bab Vishwas Rebimbus will be present as the guests of honour. Veez Konkani’s 101st issue, ‘Ek No’vo so’vnsar’, a book by Fr Chetan Lobo (46th book from Ashawadi Prakashan) and Ashawadi.com, a Konkani news portal developed by Bab Valley Quadras will be released during the programme. The prizes of the ‘Poinnari-Veez’ National level Konkani literary competition in the memory of Late Wilfy Rebimbus will be distributed during the occasion. This will be followed by ‘Sur Project ONE’, a multilingual music concert by Jaison Sequeira and his team ‘The Sur Ensemble’.

Veez Konkani has been actively maintained by Dr Prabhu with news from Konkani people and organizations around the world. Every issue features a prominent personality with their biography. This unique feature has been appreciated by many readers. The magazine also includes regular literary columns and promotes events organized by coastal communities. All of this is done online from Chicago.

Dr Austin Prabhu, editor of Veez Konkani e-Magazine

About ‘Sur Project ONE’, a multilingual music concert

After the successful ‘Ch’ovto Sur Music Concert’ in September, Jaison Sequeira is all set with another show. This time it is going to be a multi-lingual music session where he, along with his team ‘The Sur Ensemble’ will be presenting his compositions in Konkani, Kannada, Tulu, Hindi and English. “’Project ONE’ will be staged on November 24 at 6pm at St Agnes College. As hinted in the title, this will be a start to a series of music sessions breaking the language barrier. Jaison will be accompanied by his young troupe of vocalists and musicians. Sur Project ONE is organized by Veez Konkani e-Magazine, edited by Dr Austin Prabhu. It is the first Konkani magazine to be published in four popular scripts. Its 101th issue will be released in his presence, during the event.

Talking about the event Jaison Sequeira, the 27-year-old singer-songwriter from Gurupur, says, “Mangaluru is one of the most diverse cities in the country with people of different ethnicities dwelling together, speaking and interacting in Tulu, Konkani, Byari, Kannada and other languages. While Tulu being the major spoken language of the region, people of all linguistic backgrounds are engaged in its art forms, movies and activities and are proud belonging to Tulunadu. But there has been very little or no artistic exchange or occasions of public showcasing of art forms of other languages. I want to try doing it with my ‘Sur Project ONE’, where music lovers can come and get a taste of modern music in all coastal languages. Apart from composing songs in Konkani, which is my mother tongue, I have songs in Tulu, Kannada, Hindi and English. I would love to compose music in Byari too. This show will be a great platform for me to share my music with general public and make way for a kind of ‘integration through music’. Therefore Sur Project ONE has a tagline that says ‘Music for all.”

In addition, most of the songs in this concert carry a message of hope and consolation to people suffering from depression. This is in response to the increasing number of suicide cases in the coastal districts. “Let us fight depression with music,” says Jaison along with his team ‘The Sur Ensemble’.

Jaison has composed over 100 songs and has released his debut album ‘Ho Jeev’ in 2016. This is his fifth public music event. He has been successfully presenting a series of music concerts with a suffix ‘Sur’ meaning melody in Konkani. He is the founder of Paypassion mobile app which features latest music albums in regional languages. Presently about 30 Konkani albums are available for sale on Paypassion android app. It is open for producers of other regional languages to list their albums as well. Interested can send an email request to paypassion.in@gmail.com. This event is co-organised by Paypassion.

Jaison Sequeira during Ch’ovto Sur Music Concert

During Tisro Sur Unplugged

Like Tisro Sur Unplugged, ‘Sur Project ONE’ will be a home concert for a small gathering with easy listening numbers and message conveying songs. Blue Angels Choir along with St Agnes College Choir will be assisting with the harmonies. This event is going to be a trend setter in Mangaluru with its unique ‘Music for all’ concept. Hence a must attend event for original music lovers.

St Agnes College has among the most pleasant campuses in Mangaluru for education and art. Sur Project ONE will take place in its quadrangle surrounded by trees, a perfect setting for good music.