Doha, Qatar: The birth of Mother Mary or the “Monthi Saibinnichem Festh” is one feast that is celebrated in great grandeur and pomp all over the world by the Konkani Community of Mangalore. It is a day when we reminisce the beautiful memories of celebrating this feast as a ‘family feast’ with our near and dear ones.
Mangalore Cricket Club (MCC) Doha, Qatar with the aim of preserving the rich culture and heritage of Mangalore, held the Monthi Fest celebration on Friday, September 9, 2022, at the Loyola School, Multipurpose Hall. MCC has been celebrating the feast of Nativity every year with the sharing of new corns and blessing of the fruits of people’s labour through the annual ‘Novem Jevann’. But in the last two years due to Covid, it was not possible to have a physical gathering and hence was celebrated virtually with cultural gala events.
Clement Fernandes, the compere of the evening opened the program with an introduction of Monthi Fest and addressed the gathering. The evening began with a rendition of a beautiful Konkani hymn ‘Sobith Fulaam’ in honour of Mother Mary by the children’s choir group which consisted of over 30 children. Nathania D’Souza and Nicole D’Souza played the keyboard. They were trained by Clement Fernandes.
This was followed by a welcome dance ‘Sontos Pawtha’ performed by the mother-daughter/son duo beautifully choreographed by Mishal Lobo. The audience was then entertained by 12 to 15 years girls on the song ‘Anja Sarkae Chedu tae’ choreographed by Derick Crasta. A sprinkle of humour was added in between the program by George Menezes, Variston Crasta and Arthur Serrao along with Emcee Clement with their short jokes. Children of 5 to 7 years danced to the disco number, ‘Rani Mujhi Go tu’ beautifully choreographed by Mishal Lobo.
Pramila Monteiro with a group of male and female singers sang a lively song “Darya Kushin Fudd Korun” and entertained the crowd with their melodious voices.
The first part of the cultural program was then followed by the stage program. The Chief Guest Rev. Fr. Anand Castelino, Spiritual Director of Konkani Community at Our Lady of Rosary Church was welcomed with a flower bouquet. MCC Founder member Jerald D’Mello, President Naveen D’Souza and Vice President Fredrick D’Souza joined him on the dais. Gladson Quadros compered the stage program in a meticulous way.
President Naveen D’Souza in his welcome address extended a warm welcome to the Chief Guest, the Presidents and dignitaries from other Karnataka-based clubs and all the MCC members. He said that although we celebrate Nativity feasts in our homes, celebrating it again as one big MCC family has been the tradition and is without a doubt an occasion to celebrate togetherness. He stated that the main objective of MCC is to uphold the rich culture and traditions that have been handed over to us and ensure that we pass them on to the next generations. He further said that MCC has always been a platform for all members to come forth and showcase their various talents thus ensuring the promotion of our mother tongue Konkani. The President thanked all the generous sponsors, participants volunteers and the main cook Jyothi Pereira, who helped prepare the delicious ‘Novem Jevann’ at the residence of Founder member Jerald D’Mello. He thanked all sponsors of MCCQ Charitable Trust who are supporting the education of underprivileged students of Mangalore and Udupi diocese. Naveen recalled past events conducted by MCC and revealed upcoming MCC programs in future days. MCC then played the promo video of the forthcoming activities of the club namely “Global Baila Dance Video Challenge” in association with Mandd Sobhann Mangalore, which will be telecasted on Daijiworld TV and MCC Qatar YouTube channel from 14th October 2022.
The various dignitaries from Karnataka-based clubs were welcomed with a flower by committee members.
Academic achievers who excelled in Class 12th & 10th by scoring above 85% in the CBSE Board exams in the Academic year 2021-22 were honoured by Jerald D’Mello.
Achievers of 12th Std:
Elvin Joshua Pinto (96.2%) – S/o Lovelin and Eva Wilma Pinto
Prajwal Joseph Noronha (90.8%) – S/o Prakash and Divya Noronha
Dylan Noel Serrao (90%) – S/o Dolphi and Diana Serrao
Achievers of 10th Std:
Ashral Rithika Castelino (90%) – D/o Alexis and Reena Castelino
Ashwell Ben Dsouza (89.6%) – S/o Aloysius and Merlyn D’Souza
The winners of the Talent competition (Fancy dress, singing, dancing, elocution, and cooking) conducted in May 2022 were then honoured by MCC Advisors.
MCC recently reigned as Champions of the maiden Men’s Volleyball tournament organized by Bunts Qatar on August 25-26, 2022 under the captaincy of Vijay D’Souza and team manager Christen Denzil Lobo were honoured with a memento by President & Vice President.
Chief Guest Fr. Anand Castelino then released MCC’s annual magazine “Sugandh”- Issue No. 24 presented by Editor Savious Crasta. All Advisors and Committee members were on stage for the release and were presented Sugandh newsletter. Fr. Anand was then invited to address the gathering. He later blessed the corn and the food that was prepared. Traditional Novem Roce was then distributed to the audience by the volunteers.
The stage was then open for the rest of the cultural program. Anil Fernandes, Winson Baretto and Amith Mathias performed a joke. Children aged 8 to 12 years danced to ‘Ubchya suknyano’, Band vaztha, ‘kai borelo komblo’, ‘galyan sakli sonachi’, and ‘mayaya’, a medley which was choreographed by Sean Colin Fernandes. Youngsters performed a sizzling dance choreographed by Vijaya D’Souza to a medley of songs ‘Mangalore Pori’ and ‘Fula Bai’.
The much-awaited Baila dance was performed by the Adults Rockstars group who came dancing through the crowd in their traditional attire and traditional items and became the highlight of the evening and won the hearts of the audience with their energetic performance. The dance was choreographed by Derick Crasta.
Delita D’Souza, MCC Cultural Sub Committee member proposed a vote of thanks.
A lucky draw was then conducted by QLM Business Development Officer George Furtado and lovely prizes were won by lucky winners. The audience put the steps to the Konkani/Tulu Baila songs which concluded the cultural program of the evening.
Clement compered the program in his inimitable style and won the hearts of many. He conducted spot games for the audience where winners were awarded beautiful gifts.
A special appreciation goes out to the Cultural Secretary Amith Mathias and his whole team along with Excom members for putting up a great cultural program and bringing in so many talented members on stage. Their efforts were well appreciated by President Naveen D’Souza.
Earlier in the day, MCC volunteers gathered at Jerald D’Mello’s house to cook delicious Novem Jevann under the guidance of main cook Jyothi Pereira, Roce by Vivian D’Souza and Vorn by David D’Souza. All cooking arrangements were handled by Sunil D’Silva, Christy Lobo and the team. Sannas were prepared by lady volunteers at their homes.
MCC is grateful to all their sponsors and volunteers who with their time, efforts and funds, contributed immensely towards the success of the Novem Jevann to cook a traditional meal and lived to the team motto “Yeya Yek Kutaam Bandiyan”. The efforts of the volunteers paid off, as all enjoyed and appreciated the sumptuous Novem Jevann of seven vegetarian items along with Aloo Dhento, sannas and mouth-watering Vorn. The President and the Executive Committee Members of Mangalore Cricket Club take this opportunity to express their gratitude to each and every member for their participation and continued support.
The pictures were captured by Savious Crasta, Melwin Fernandes and Ryan Renjar while the videography was done by Vivek Mascarenhas, Surakshith Pinto and Vijay Dsouza. Videos are available on our MCC Qatar YouTube Channel.
