Mangalore: Lulu Fortes Re-creates Chris-Lorna Magic at Kalaangann
by Richie Lasrado
Resident Editor
Daijiworld.com
Mangalore
Pics Praveen Tauro Kulshekar
Mangalore, May 7: The combination of the Goan Nightingale Lorna and the late music maestro Chris Perry has cast its spell over Konkani music-lovers in Goa, Mangalore, Mumbai and the world over not only over the past years, but it will continue to do so for many years to come.
Lulu Fortes
Compere Arun Raj Rodrigues
The magic was re-created in the Kalaangann amphitheatre at Shaktinagar in the city on Sunday evening by young and talented singer Lulu Fortes from Goa, joined by her husband Philip on the bass guitar and Safflo on the keyboards and vocals. It was the 65th edition of the monthly theatre ('Moinealli Manch') presented by Mandd Sobhann on the first of Sunday of every month.
Mandd Sobhann 'pirjent' Eric Ozario welcomed the gathering. Amphitheatre donor Ronald Mendonca and Gracy Ganga Naik auditorium donor Fr Ramesh Naik Bandodkar, who were specially present on the occasion, were honoured by president Louis J Pinto.
Audience in rapt attention
Nellu and team providing humour
The mood for the evening was set with the first song 'Lisboa' and then on it was a long string of memorable Chris Perry numbers, most of them originally rendered by Lorna. Lulu did her best to be faithful to the original renditions.
'Red Rose', 'Sacrament Zoddlo', 'Tuzo Mog', 'Chup Chup', 'Pisso', 'Meera Meera', 'Paka Paka', 'Cu-cu-ru-cu', 'Zila-Lila', 'Aikat mhozo tallo', 'Bebdo', 'Marie Marie' - and more, each of them won the hearts of the audience, which was enjoying the songs with rapt attention.
Safflo and Philip
Nach Sobhann artistes performing
Lulu and Eric Ozario
Nellu's humour
Special appreciation was won by two songs, 'Kantar Korun' and 'Bom Jusuchea-re Conventant', originally sung by the legendary Mohammed Rafi and Lorna, rendered at the evening by Eric Ozario himself with Lulu in chorus.
Humorous interludes were provided by Nellu Permannur and his team. The show was deftly anchored by Arun Raj Rodrigues. His instantaneous coining of the jingle 'Lulu Ailam Lu-Lu-Lu' ('Lulu has arrived') in Caribbean style and repeating it often was echoed by the audience several times over. That was proof to the Mangaloreans' love for Goan music and appreciation for Lulu and troupe's talent.
Some of the fast numbers were accompanied by sparkling dances by the Nach Sobhann dance troupe. A fitting finale was provided by a Chris Perry medley, which was joined by part of the audience by hitting the floor with freedom and abandon.
Sunday May 6 was a day of many events and weddings in the city, and hence the strength of the audience was not up to the level of the usual Moinealli Manchi gathering. There could be many music-lovers who had to miss this lovely evening by compulsion of other engagements. Quite sad, indeed.
Goan Flavour in Mangalore: