Dammam: Aangann Konknnechem created history with Kevin Misquith’s live in concert becoming the first ever Konkani music concert organized in Saudi Arabia.
It was a historic day for the Konkani community of Saudi Arabia as the first ever Konkani music concert along with Gulf Baila Naach competition unfolded here in Dammam. Competing for the title of Baila Jodi Saudia were Carol Dsouza with Harold DSouza, Reema with Harold and Vijitha Couple.
Couples Harold and Reema Mathias from Dammam were declared winners of the Baila Jodi Saudia and were felicitated by Kevin & Muriel Nazareth. They will represent Saudi Arabia at the grand finale in Doha on 28th April 2017.
Despite the heavy rains, water logging and traffic constraints the event witnessed a packed house. The event began with a prayer song by Pramila Rodrigues, Babitha Rodrigues, Divya D’Souza and Jacintha Nazareth from Jubail.
The main sponsors Kevin and Muriel Nazareth along with Allen and Carol D’Souza, Richard Rodrigues, Naveen Melwyn D’Souza and Arun D’Souza lighted the lamp and inaugurated the competition. Arun Palimar the Gurkar of AKR welcomed the gathering.
The first session of the evening was Gulf Baila Naach competition compered by Saritha D’Souza. The session saw some fabulous moves by the competitors leaving the audience spellbound and captivated. The judges were Mrs. Jainy Joju and Mrs. Shilpa.
Kevin Misquith live in concert followed soon after Gulf Baila Naach competition and was compered by Voice of Arabia fame Aashelon Roshan Rodrigues. He left no stone unturned to keep the audience captivated with his rib tickling jokes and presence of mind.
AKR President Carol D’Souza thanked all the Sponsors and along with Gurkar Arun D’Souza honored and felicitated them with floral bouquet. Cultural program participants and support singers of Saudi Arabia were also felicitated with Memento and Certificates. The Judges Mrs. Jainy Joju and Mrs. Shilpa, Gulf Baila Naach Contestants and Singers Kevin Misquith, Jackson Noronha and Clyde Lobo were felicitated by Kevin and Mueral Nazareth with floral bouquet.
On this occasion the best of Kevin Misquith’s “Kalzanth Utulli Sangeeth Lahram” Konkani CD was launched by Kevin and Mueral Nazareth, Vincent and Jacintha Saldanha, Mr.& Mrs. Naveen Fernandes, Allen & Carol D’Souza, and Arun D’Souza.
The cultural programme began with a foot thumping dance performance by the talented and enthusiastic Stevina and Group, Karan and Group, Arabian Rock Stars Group, Anugraha Nrithya Vidyalaya Group, Sony Menezes and Group, Alwisha Group, who left the audience asking for more!
The crowd went hysterical right from the word go as they watched a comedy show called “Yeak Raath Maatrh” staged by Herald D’Souza (Mudarangadi), Carol D’Souza (Urva) and Rupan Almeida (Puttur). They left the audience laughing for a very long time.
Wilson Crasta of Aangann Konknnechem proposed the vote of thanks. The programme came to an end with the announcement of the winners of the Baila Jodi Saudia. While everyone in the auditorium waited with bated breath for the results, the announcement itself was splendid, not just because of the deafening applause that followed it, but also because of the expression of triumph as well as intense emotion that it brought upon the face of the winners.
Later Kevin Misquith concert began with Kevin taking stage. It was his first song Mhoeja Anja for a rousing response, Pride of Arabia fame Vanessa Saldanha presented Heyo Heyo along with Kalza Thar with Kevin Misquith. Voice of Arabia fame Ashelom Roshan Rodrigues (2012 & 2014), Ralph D’Souza (2016) & Sony Dsouza, Manoj Mascarenhas (2010), Pramila Rodrigues (2014 & 2016) were the other singers who accompanied Kevin. Jackson Noronha & Clyde Lobo from Kevin’s band Milestone scored the background music. The crowd fully enjoyed Kevin’s super hit compositions., amidst huge applause and cheering for each song. The crowd went asking for more. The concert concluded with a nonstop Baila masala at the end. It was truly a historic day for Konkani music & Konkani people of Saudi Arabia.
The sponsors for the event were Kevin & Muriel Nazareth; Vincent & Blanch Sequeira, Alphons Lasrado, Allen & Carol D’Souza, Rocque D’Souza Bahrain., Yogesh Poojary, Vincent Saldanha, Naveen Fernandes, Richard D’Silva, Joey Fernandes and Well Wishers. LED Screen, Sound, Video and Photography was by Bens Mathews Sky Light Dammam. Delicious food Snacks & Dinner was served from ‘Red Table’.
Aangann Konknnechem is also celebrating its 10th Anniversary. Aangann Konknnechem thanked one and all who supported and voluntarily worked with the organisers to make the event a grand success. It was indeed an evening to cherish for a very long time.
