New Zealand : Monti Fest Celebrated in Auckland
Pics by Basil Fernandes
Updated Report : Monti Fest Team
New Zealand, Sep 13: It is a pleasure to note that the third Monthi fest 2009 celebration in Auckland was held on 13 September at the Mt Eden War Memorial hall with a crowd of over 200 people. Call it a celebration or reverence, the Mangalorean community of Auckland together with people from other communities as well, made this feast really meaningful by keeping the tradition in its pristine form.
The weather was perfect, the ambience just right- the Mount Eden War Memorial Hall was bedecked with kobu (sugarcane) and palm leaves to symbolise the harvest festival...coincidently it is the beginning of spring in NZ!!The kurpons, dhois, thodpe , chembu, thondor and kolsos which added to the deco and gave it a true Mangalorean feel! Thanks to everyone who helped decorate the hall!
The welcome desk was attended by Jasintha Bangera, Jacinta Dourado and Stany Saldanha.
The celebration commenced with a mass in Konkani celebrated by Fr. Sebastian Fernandes. An introduction about the importance of Monthi Fest was done by Sangeeta Sequeira and Chrisyl D’Silva. The homily given by Fr. Sebastian conveyed a very clear message of unity in the family and community and how children should love and respect their parents. The melodious konkani choir was led by Ronnie & Chrisyl D’Silva who chose appropriate hymns in honour of the Birthday of Our Blessed Mother. Raoul D’Cunha played the keyboard. Our little Mangaloreans read prayers of the faithful in Konkani which touched everyone’s hearts. This was followed by floral offerings by our children to our ‘Mother Mary’ while the congregation melodiously sang “Moriyek Holgolsiam” and the Happy Birthday song. Thanks to Percy’s efforts in providing us with a data projector.
After the Eucharistic celebration, a delicious drink of richly flavoured milk mixed with ‘Noven’ was distributed to all the attendees, was lovingly prepared by Wilma and Percy Barboza. Jasintha welcomed the crowd in a truly Mangalorean way, with few words in Konkani.
Everyone, young and old participated in the games conducted by Basil and Reena Fernandes. There were numerous spot prizes for all.
The Konkani songs by the Barboza twins, Edson and Verrell were highly commendable. Our compere, Ronnie D’Silva, did a superb job in keeping the crowd entertained. Savio Gomes, our DJ for the day, came well prepared with Konkani music. Our little dancers from “New Star Gantaal Katte” dance troupe (Elisha Dourado, Shona Gomes, Erica & Shane Barboza, Anushka Sequeira, Bianca & Andre Chakranarayan, Shane D’Silva and Chris Fernandes) stole the show by their traditional Mangalorean dance. Dance choreographer was Chrisyl D’ Silva.
It was truly amazing to watch the four men army – Venicio Dourado, Sundeep Sequeira, Bryce Pais and Richard Miranda meticulously working in the kitchen.
The highlight of the day was the traditional Novem Jevann served on shirothis. The meal consisted of traditional boiled rice; eleven veges and was completed with delicious vorn. Everyone ate “pot futasar” and enjoyed the meal.
After lunch, the crowd participated in a Mangalorean quiz (comprising of 5 teams Piao, Losoon, Aalen, Mirsang, Aamsaan )conducted by Chrisyl, Sangeeta and Basil which brought back fond memories of Mangalore.
The programme was concluded by Wilma’s vote of thanks in Konkani and the Laudate. We as a team, more than managed to keep the spirit of Mangalore alive