London: UK Konkans celebrate Christmas with Mangalorean traditional flavour

Bellevision Media Network

London, 25 Dec 2015: UK Konkans, a leading association for Konkani speaking community in London, for the 11th year in the succession hosted much-awaited Christmas get-together. Each year the standard of planning and execution is taken to yet another level. If last year’s celebration excelled in every department this year’s Christmas celebration was hailed as one best in the history of UK Konkans.  The warm weather which is very unusual at this time of the year in London, was blessing in disguise for the Christmas celebration which was held on at Addlestone Community Centre here on Sunday December 20.

 

A country where the true spirit of Christmas is lost its true meaning in the commercialisation, the young children aged 3 years to 10 years, showed that there is still hope to celebrate Jesus’ birth and love.

 

The program started with carol singing followed by tableau. While Ethan narrated the events of the silent and Holy night, with children as young as 5 years acting out the characters of Mary, Joseph, shepherds and 3 wise kings. It was touching to see 3 year old Zoe D’Souza acting as star of Bethlehem and Simran and Ethan acting as Mary and Joseph cuddling baby Jesus.

 

Melvyn Vaz, the master of ceremony for the day, with his jokes and humours justified why he is one of the most sought after Konkani MC s in London.

 

Tom D’Souza, the charismatic and energetic president of UK Konkans, introduced his team of office bearers and highlighted support his team and the volunteers for the success of the event. He also emphasized the message of Christmas-Love is patient and Love is kind. He also reminded that Christmas brings families and friends together which is one of the aims of UK Konkans. He welcomed the sponsors and guests.

 

Well choreographed Garba dance played Konkan ladies, Shanthi, Ruma, Clara, Sheela, Charlotte and Pinki with colourful attire to the tune of ‘Hosanna Hosanna’ song won the hearts of the crowd.

 

 

 

The teenage sensation, Danika Pinto played scintillating dance for the tune of Dhol Bhaje. The young UK Konkans star of the future, Tia D’Souza, with her dance for the song ‘Fusion of Manwa laage/Ambarsariya’ showed the glimpse of what to come in the future.

 

The highlight of the day was couple dance with 80s to 90s Disco. Charlotte and Sylvester started the tempo followed by Alice & Eric D’Souza. When Melvyn invited the disco couples to dance with the crowd, entire hall with young and old were on the dance floor.

 

Thomas D’Souza led the grace before meal before the delicious Mangalorean cuisine prepared by Mangalorean chef Naveen was served.  When children were served food, elders helped themselves in open bar.

 

During lunch, Gratian D’Silva, Shanthi Menezes, Eric D’Souza, Herald D’Souza and Edgar Pinto sang Konkani and Kannada songs.

 

The Marriage Counselling skit by Tom D’Souza, Eric D’Souza, Thomas D’Souza, Stella Vaz and Shanthi Menezes filled the hall with laughter.

 

The most-awaited and popular guest with Children Father Christmas entered the hall with Jingle bells music in the background. Santa treated the children with sweets.

 

The duo of D’Silva brothers Glenish and Glenston, who have been giving dance performance for last 11 years did not disappoint the crowd with their popular steps.

 

Gratian and Sheela D’Silva with their classical movements and Anuj and Ruma Shrivatsava with Punjabi songs made the people to tap their feet.  The guests who came with the dancing shoes were not disappointed because Gratia/Sheela and Anuj/Ruma pair came to the floor to invite the crowd to dance with them.

 

UK Konkans which has been supporting various charities over the years, dedicated this year’s Kuswar sale to ‘Snehalaya’ a Mangalorean Charity that provides shelter and food to orphans, beggars and poor patients of Wenlock hospital.

 

Throughout the program, Melvyn kept the audience on the toes with spot prizes, lucky dip and distribution of prizes to the winners.

 

The well known Mangalorean entrepreneur Richard Lobo couple, impressed by children’s performances awarded all the children with individual presents and encouraged them to continue with their interest in cultural activities.

 

Shanthi Menezes, the secretary of UK Konkans thanked the main sponsors Sheela and Gratian D’Silva couple, Christine and Lobo couple and Vincent Menezes of Diamond Kitichen and Bedrooms, Slough for their sponsorship. She also thanked Mini and Kevin Madtha couple for the Christmas Hamper and all the members of Kuswar team and volunteers.

 

She gave a special thanks to energetic and young President for the planning, coordinating and making the event successful.

 

Customary to every UK Konkans event, entire hall joined for Baila dance.