Abu Dhabi: Mangalorean Friends Group celebrates Monti Fest with colorful event

By Wilma Shilpa DSouza
Pics by Ronald DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Abu Dhabi, 14 Sep 2015: Mangalorean Friends Group here celebrated the feast of Nativity at Arab Udupi Banquet Hall, here on Friday September 11. The event was mainly sponsored by Evergreen Nursery and co-sponsored by First Link General Trading Co., Abu Dhabi.

 

Ivan D’Souza addressed and briefed about the importance of Monti Fest and welcomed the gathering to this unique traditional celebration as a family.  Children carrying the fresh flowers walked in a small procession and showered them on the statue of blessed Infant Mary.

 

Maxim Pereira and group lead the prayer and sung various hymns which added the spirit of devotion in the gathering.  As a tradition the fresh sugarcane was given to all the children.

 

Gurkar of the day Ronald D’Souza invited everyone to have blessed traditional vegetarian meal by offering water in ‘Chembu’.  Blessed Novem mixed in milk was served to all and a traditional feast meal with Mangalorean flavour prepared by Arab Udupi was served on Banana leaves along with vorn.

 

A gift hamper sponsored by Evergreen Nursery has been distributed to all the children by its managing director Kavitha Ashley.

 

 

Ronald D’Souza introduced a newly formed, ‘Evershine Band,’ team who indeed increased the zest among the crowd with their best music.

 

There were a row of entertainment programmes like live singing, skit, dance, spot prizes etc.   Wilson Pinto, well known for his knowledge in Konkani rendered a humorous speech comprising different dialects, words used in Konkani related to Monti Fest and other.  The interaction was at its best and the audience applauded him. The most talented woman of the gathering Mrs. Reshma Martis entertained the crowd by her unique talent of mimicries.    Also other singers Ronald, Maxim, Movin, Divya, Melwyn, Ida, Ishny, Monisha, Alwyn etc. livened up the gathering with their melodious voice.

 

Many from the audience had sponsored for this event by means of fruits, flowers, banana leaves, sugarcane etc.  In support of Konkani artists, there was a Konkani songs CD by Ajith Peter D’Souza, ‘Tem Yeunhca Vella,’ was released formally by Dulcine Pereira and was given as spot prize.

 

Ronald D’Souza conducted the lucky draw for which fresh fruits and live cocks were distributed to the lucky winners.

 

The programme concluded with grand baila.  Around 150 Mangaloreans living in Abu Dhabi were gathered.  The programme was well compered by Ivan D’Souza and he also thanked all who extended their kind support to make this event fruitful.

 

Enthusiastic Ronald D’Souza along with Mangalorean Friends in Abu Dhabi has been organizing the Monti Fest celebration since the past 7 years in Abu Dhabi.

 

Albums: Nativity Fest around the world