Mumbai: Native Culture makes one complete; Fr Dominic Vas

By Rons Bantwal
Bellevision Media Network

Mumbai, Feb 16, 2014 : St Joseph’s Konkani Welfare Association (SJKWA) of Mira Road, organized Konkani Utsav and food fest at St Joseph’s parish auditorium, Mira Road, here on Saturday February 15.

 
Mira Road parish priest Fr Domkinic Vas OCD inaugurated two-day Konkani Utsav and food fest.

 
Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy award recipient Konkani theater artiste Francis Fernandes Cascia presided the programme here on Saturday.

 
The members of SJKWA displayed the age-old tradition of Konkani community of coastal Karnataka on the occasion.

 
Speaking on the occasion, Fr Dominic said that cultural upbringing makes one complete as without culture, life would be meaningless.  Meanwhile, it’s tragic that the new generation of Konkani speaking community is lured by western culture, and their parents had to educate them on native culture, said Fr Dominic.

 

 
Francis Fernandes Cascia said that Indian culture is world renown.  Meanwhile, Francis urged to organize Konkani Utsav across the metro, to educate the new generation of Konkans on the rich cultural hierarchy of their forefathers, urged Francis.

 
The programme director Joy Paladka briefed on the ancient tradition followed by Christians of coastal Karnataka, while the members of SJKWA exhibited the traditional dresses and splendor of wedding preparations etc.

 
SJKWA treasurer Lawrence Mathias, cultural Committee secretary Hilary D’Silva and others were present on the occasion.

 
SJKWA president John Crasta welcomed the gathering.  The parish children presented welcome dance.  Gerald D’Souza and Florin Mathias compered the programme.  SJKWA secretary Arun Noronha proposed vote of thanks.

 
Keppechin Kestavam, Konkani skit by playwright Claude Bendore and directed by Joy Paladka was staged besides other folk-dances that depict Konkani culture on the occasion.

 
Royal brass brand of Allipade, Bantwal added Mangalorean flavor to the programme.

 

The traditional kitchen items, farming accessories of contemporary coastal Karnataka were displayed at the venue.

 

The audiences were accorded with traditional welcome by offering a vessel full of water and jiggery, a tray of beetle leaves and arecanut.