Mangaluru: Gift offerings have a special place in the culture of Konkani Catholic Christians. It is a part of Konkani Catholic Christian marriage culture. Ceremonial gift offering is one of the various events that take place during the Roce celebration before the wedding.
It is called Vojem in Konkani. ‘Vojem’ literally means ‘burden’. This is the first event held at the bride or groom’s house during the Roce ceremony.
It is understood that our forefathers had conceived this Vojem or burden offering tradition of carrying vegetables, food grain etc. in a procession in order to reduce the burden of expenses incurred by the host family for the marriage ceremony. This tradition has grown exponentially.
Sangaathi Mangaluru in association with St Lawrence Church, Bondel is organizing a Hore Kanike Utsav or Vojem Utsav competition in support of Bondel Church Renovation Project.
This Vojem Utsav competition will be held on May 19 at the Vamanjoor Church Hall. The competition will start at 10 am.
Winners of the competition will be awarded attractive cash prizes. The first prize will be Rs 50,000, second prize Rs 25,000 and third prize Rs 15,000, the organizers have announced.
An organising committee has been formed with Vishalin Saldanha as President, Vikram Permannur as Vice President and Stepha D’Souza as Secretary.
For more details contact 8660015203 or 8904373405.
Vojem Utsav – 2024 Contest Rules:
Only Catholic Christians are allowed to participate. A contestant can participate in only one team. A team will have 15 minutes to perform.
A maximum of 25 people are allowed to participate in a team. The role of Gurkar and Gurkarn (female), bride or groom and mother and father in a team is mandatory.
Band and some required materials are provided by the organizers for the Vojem offering. (Competitors may bring additional items if required).
Use of fire, water, firecrackers and animals/livestock is prohibited. Insulting or abusing any person, organization or a religion by word or deed and display of indecent, obscene or vulgar performance which may spoil the decorum or tarnish the competition is prohibited.
But artificial animals/livestock can be used.
Use of political content and double-meaning words is not allowed. Contest organizers reserve the right to suspend the entry if any of the contest rules are violated.
It is forbidden to take photos or videos during the competition, except for persons appointed by the manager.
It is also prohibited to take photos in a way that disturbs the spectators and judges.
The result of the competition will be announced at the end of the entire show and the prizes will be distributed. The decision of the judges and organizers is final.
The team entry fee will be Rs 10,000. Registration will begin at 8.30 am on Sunday, May 19.
For more information about registration contact 89043 73405, 86600 15203. According to the organisers, marks will be awarded based on the manner of the hore kanike procession and costume, song, dialogue by Gurkar and Gurkarni, dance and comedy by all the participants.
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