Media Release
Barka (Oman), Nov 5: Dabak Daba Kalakar, an award-winning team and emerging brass band association in Oman, celebrated their historic victory at ‘Pepere Pepe Dum – Season 2’, the first ever international edition of the Konkani brass-band competition organized in Muscat by ‘Ami Ani Amchim – Mangalore’ in association with Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish (MCCP) on October 10.
The event was the first-of-its-kind to be held at an international level in the Gulf region, celebrating brass band musical extravaganza, Konkani talent, culture, singing, music and unity. Dabak Daba Kalakar outperformed the competing teams and were declared the winners of the Best Performance award.
The victory celebration was held on October 31 at Winter Villa Farmhouse, Barka, with a large gathering of Dabak Daba Kalakar Team members, their families and friends. What makes this victory event even more meaningful is the team’s act of compassion and social responsibility. Dabak Dabak Kalakar contributed a portion of their award money to charity, supporting a couple, Nithesh Veigas and Selwin D’Souza, Amtoor, Bantwal, and who are suffering from cancer and struggling to support their medical treatment while caring for their small child. This generous act reflects the team’s belief that success becomes more valuable when shared with those in need.
The celebration began with fun-filled sports activities for men, women and children, setting a tone of unity, excitement and togetherness. The event was fully planned and executed by the entire Dabak Daba Kalakar team, demonstrating unity and bonding.
Preneta Monteiro took center stage as emcee at the formal felicitation ceremony. The senior-most members of the team, Flossie D’Souza and Thomas D’Souza — were honoured for their enduring presence and blessings. The felicitation was conducted by Vijai D’Cunha (Yezman), Raj Kiran (Gurkar), and Jason Cardoza (MC), the team’s strategist.
In his address, Vijay D’Cunha remarked that ‘each member is a valuable brick that built the house of success, and today, that house stands strong and celebrated’. He expressed gratitude to MCCP–Oman, Ami Ani Amchim Mangalore, and all stakeholders for organizing such a remarkable competition in Muscat. He further highlighted that the winning team intends to form a brass band promoting association in Oman, aimed at preserving and promoting native Mangalurean music and culture.
Each family of the Dabak Daba Kalakar’s team member was presented with a souvenir memento, an exact replica of the winning ‘Tambourine-Shaped Trophy’, along with participation certificates from Ami Ani Amchim, acknowledging the contribution of every family to the team’s success.
The event was unique not only due to the victory, but because it was celebrated like a true family feast, with the participation of every team member along with their families. Live food preparation took place at the venue, led by Shailesh Kutinha with enthusiastic support from family members, creating the emotional feeling of ‘one family cooking together’ rather than a typical event gathering.
Music powered the night with DJ and sound managed by Selwyn Lewis, Ivan Pinto and Jason Cardoza. Singing performances by Master Shawnell Lewis, Nashwil Pinto, Elson D’Costa, Jason Cardoza, Lavisha D’Souza, Renita D’Souza along with many others and dancing went on late into the night.
Logistics and coordination of the event handled smoothly by Steeven Periera and Shawn Monteiro. Photography done by Shailesh Kutinha, capturing every moment of joy and celebration. The team also recreated the winning performance from the October 10 competition, which gathered enthusiastic applause. A delicious dinner was catered by Princess Catering, adding flavour and delight to the celebration.
To make the review of their competition entry more meaningful, the team collected feedback from several family members who independently evaluated the performance, and every opinion unanimously stated that Dabak Daba Kalakar’s competition performance was outstanding and unmatched.
Dabak Daba Kalakar expressed its heartfelt gratitude to every contributor, supporter and wellwisher who made this memorable journey possible.