Canada: Konkani Channel Radio Mango Creates History

Gerry D'Mello
Daijiworld Media Network - Canada

Canada, Oct 4: It was a red-letter-day for the Konkani diaspora and a matter of pride and immense joy for thousands of Konkani speaking people residing in Canada when they eagerly tuned in to Radio Mango at FM 101.3 for the first-ever Konkani programme and heard Milena Marques-Zachariah and her co-host Wilson D'Souza's greetings "Tumkan soggleank - Konkani bhas uloiteank - Dev Bori Saanz dium" at 7 pm.

The much awaited inaugural broadcast of Radio Mango that lasted for sixty minutes was a tremendous success that created waves of joy among lovers of Konkani music on Canadian airwaves. The broadcast started with an awesome Signature tune for Radio Mango composed by Goa's renowned musician and lyricist Lawrence de Tiracol. This was followed by the first song Godacho panv from the legendary Konkani film Amchem Noxib that was released in 1963 and was dedicated to the composer par excellence and the producer of the film Frank Fernand and the inimitable comedian and singer Anthony Mendes. The song was a re-mix and sung by Lorna.

The listeners started dancing with joy when they heard the next song the immortal "Ye..Ye..Katrina" composed by Sangeeth Saamraat Henry D'Souza. This was followed by yet another great number and everyone thoroughly enjoyed listening to “Goa Amchem by Goa’s popular group The Big City Band.

Through the encouragement of Radio Mango the talented teenage D'Mello sisters Nicole and Nerissa became first local singers to perform on Radio Mango. They gave a melodious number Asha composed by Kalashree Claud D'Souza. The next item was Goan Mando presented by Canadian talents who are Goans - Savio de Menezes, Saozinha Gonzalves, Hassan Bokhari, Dr.Lucina Pinto, Nandita Dias and Joe Gomes.

Konkani comedy by renowned comedians Santhosh D'Souza (Santhu) and Ronald Monteiro (Monthu) was like the icing on the cake. Listeners truly enjoyed their rib-tickling jokes. This was followed by Radio Mango news read by Pedro Paul Quiterio and Gerry D'Mello. While Pedro covered the news from Goa, Gerry D'Mello covered the Mangalorean news highlighting newly formed Udupi Diocese, GVOM contest and Monti Fest celebration in Canada. Amidst the colourful commercial breaks the hosts Milena and Wilson kept the audience fully glued to the Radio with their inimitable skills.

One hour of total entertainment in Konkani went by like sixty seconds. Kudos to the Fantastic 4 - Milena Marques-Zachariah (Producer/Host), Alan Sequeira (Director), Wilson D'Souza (Director / Co-host) and Pedro Paul Quiterio Desouza (Director) for creating new Konkani waves in Canadian air. Their mission is to bring together the Konkani speaking communities of Mangalore and Goa through the medium of radio and to help the community to identify with its roots and cultural heritage through a common touch point that is Konkani language.

With the tagline Amchi Bhas-Amchem Music, Radio Mango will air Konkani music and other entertainment, every Saturday between 7 and 8 pm on FM 101.3. Further details are also available on their website www.radiomango.ca and the Facebook page: Radio MangoToronto. You’ll find them on twitter and Linked In, too.