NK’s Geet Ghazaal 2.0 played out to a packed house at the Emirates Theater yesterday evening. The packed auditorium resounded with loud applause as the audience reflected on the profound thoughts of Melvyn Rodrigues disseminated through his own recital of his poetry. It was a magical experience like no other. But profundity was balanced with entertainment and culture. The blend was like a heady brew and the audience went home on a high.
Geet Gazaal 2.0 began with the warmest of welcomes by Nanu Marol. As a part of his welcome, he briefed Geet Gazaal first-timers (this is the second edition) about the evolution of Geet Gazaal – the celebration of Konkani poets and poetry. The star of the show was welcomed with traditional Konkan Tharam Brass band up to the stage along with the event sponsors and guests. At the stage, Wilson Pinto, Anitha, John, Reema, Maxim, and Fenita welcomed Melvyn with ‘Gumat’ – another traditional form of Konkani culture.
Soon afterward, the anchor of the event, Sannu Monis took charge and started Gazaal (dialogue in Konkani) with Melvyn Rodrigues. Throughout the show, Sannu went on discussing the various aspects of Melvyn’s life, his childhood, school, college and family life, his entry into activities for the enrichment of the Konkani language, and his poetry. The audience was in for a treat when Melvyn’s wife, Averyl Rodrigues, along with famed dancer and Melvyn’s son Gavin Rodrigues shared their life’s journey with Melvyn.
Interspersed with Sannu Monis’s dialogue with Melvyn Rodrigues, some of the classic poetry of Melvyn composed and presented by various composers and musicians and already become popular through CD’s and cassettes were rendered by Dubai’s famed Konkani Singers – Aenson Mathias, Alwyn Fernandes and his wife Dr. Rashmi Fernandes, Anil Rodrigues, Jeevan Vas, Lydwin Cutinho, Melwyn Dsouza, Preema Dsouza, Sabitha Mathias, Vinay Lewis. The Band Open High with – Joston Pereira, an ace keyboardist, along with one of Konkani’s best guitarists Alwyn Fernandes, famed as Swar Maanthrik, Preema Dsouza, guitarist cum vocalist, and Eldrich DSouza, promising drummer Fred Roshan and rhythm pad artist Samer provided soulful live music.
As a part of the show, a new artistic experiment of dance, drama, and narration by a team lead by Darrel Vamanjoor and Melwyn Kalakul was presented with the unique artistic fusion based on the poems of Mr. Melvyn Rodrigues. This received a standing ovation from the audience. The team comprising of Darrel Vamanjoor, Melwyn Kalakul, Kavitha, Natash, Mural, Rohan Kalakul, Malcon, Hilson, Joel, Prashanth, Sharmila, Wilson, Deona, Delisha, Sweeny and Master Anor took the audience of Geet Gazaal into the different world of art and poetry.
Famous in his own right, Gavin, the ace dancer and son of the star of the show, poet Melvyn Rodrigues, along with Rhea and Vinilda entertained the audience with a scintillating dance performance to some of Melwyn’s classic songs. During the event, Melvyn Rodrigues, Avrel and Gavin were felicitated by the dignitaries on the dais on behalf of the UAE Konkani Community for their exemplary service for Konkani language and its enrichment.
Also, all the sponsors of the event were honored with mementos. The event was sponsored by:
Gold Sponsors: Jerald and Roopa Lobo – Vamanjoor/Sharjah, Walter D’almeida – Regal Furnishings & Storage Systems LLC, Abu Dhabi, Michael D’Souza – Ivory Grand Hotel Apartments, Dubai, Leo D’Souza – Canara Restaurant, Dubai and Ronald Martis – Blue Royal Group of Companies Dubai.
Silver Sponsors: CA Valerian Dalmeida – Founder and Managing Partner of Quick Accounting & Advisory LLC, Leo Rodrigues – Al Mazroui & Clevy Automobile Services LLC, Abu Dhabi, Joel Crasta – Broadway Events, Abu Dhabi, Joseph Mathias – Merit Freight Systems LLC, Dubai, Stephan Menezes – Reach Me Advertising & Distribution Solutions LLC, Gilbert D’Souza – Al Tabadul Auto Maintenance Services, Sharjah, Gilbert and Jane Aranha – Vamanjoor/Dubai, and Globelink West Star Shipping LLC, Abu Dhabi Branch, Manoj Vas – Resort Supplies General Trading.
Support sponsors: Edwin Dsouza – Bijai/Abu Dhabi, Kishoo Gonsalves – Kishoo Enterprises Udupi/Abu Dhabi, James Mendonca – Reliable Fabricators, Dubai, Lawrence Mendonca – Standard Fabricators, Dubai, Nelson Rodrigues – Dubai, Ronald Sabi – Moodubelle/Dubai, Wilfred Menezes – Omnitec Group Dubai and Johnson Monteiro – Vamanjoor/Dubai, Veronica Alva of Alliance Insurance.
Floyd Kiran compered the official part of the event. The event was presented and live telecasted by NewsKarnataka.com and was watched and appreciated by thousands of Konkani. Igloo Ice Creams provided free ice creams to all the guests.
Encouraged by the response, the organizers said they will be back again next year with Geet Gazaal 3.0!
