FAMAD Pernal celebrates Monthi Fest with traditional fervour

By Dinesh Correa
Bellevision Media Network

Dubai, 18 September 2011: The organisation uniting Pernal parishioners in the UAE, ’FAMAD Pernal UAE’ gathered at Richmond Hotel Apartments party hall to celebrate this year’s Monthi Fest. The event was held on Friday, September 16 at 7.30pm.

 

Children looked bright and brilliant in the procession to offer flowers to the statue of Monthi Mai to the choir singing of ’Sokkod Sangatam Mellyam’ followed by ’Moryek Hogollsiyam’. Earlier, Juliana Coreea led the prayers to begin the celebrations with the hymn ’Morye Krista Maie’.

 

The blessed new corn or ’Novem’ was brought to the hall in a unique and traditional way. Two newest additions to Pernal parish family as daughters-in-law-Nathasha Priya Andrade (wife of Loyal Prashanth Andrade, Saude Zone) with Pramila Mathias (wife of Vinay Mathias, Majalbet Zone) ceremoniously brought the blessed new corn (Novem) to the hall and in return were given the honour of a ’Kapod’ (the saree) each from one of the senior members of FAMAD Pernal, Jacintha Pereira Kamath. The Blessed new corn mixed with milk was distributed to all and was consumed with reverence and spirit of unity.

 

 

The entertainment included various spot prizes, a skit and a solo dance performance by Leanne Mathias. The day also included the annual general body meeting where general election for the forthcoming executive committee was held.

 

A tasty fifteen-course vegetarian dinner was served on ’Xirotti’ or the banana leaf with the specialities like ’Potrade’, ’Vorn’ and ’Puli Koddel’.  The food was prepared by members themselves. More remarkably, their commitment and hard work to organize such a grand dinner was noteworthy.  The event was exclusively for Pernal parishioners.

 

President Charles Mathias welcomed the gathering. Lovery Correa conducted felicitation and election procedure. Wilfred Mathias compered.