Canara World Events

Canada, June 3 : A mega cultural event titled 'CANARA KALA SAANZ-2007' was staged in the St. Francis Xavier Secondary School Hall, Mississauga, Canada, on the evening of 2nd June 2007. The hall was fully packed by the Mangaloreans residing in Canada. In order to provide great entertainment and to promote Canara's rich heritage and culture, the renowned business house in Canada, 'Max Mendes Group' had organized this unique Cultural, Creative and Charity Event for the third consecutive year. The show was held in aid of Shri Christa Sharan Ashram in Birur, Karnataka.

The show started at 4.30 p.m. with the National Anthems of Canada and India followed by an introduction of Comperes of the programme by Janet D'Souza. The Comperes were Carol Lobo, Jason D'Souza, Leandra Pinto and Michelle Fernandes. Jason D'Souza started this memorable event by welcoming Nancy Mendes, wife of Max Mendes to the stage. Nancy Mendes introduced the Chief Guest Fr. Joe Mary Lobo who had come all the way from Chickmagalur,India. Fr. Joe Mary Lobo, nicknamed 'Gurujee' has been an active priest for the past 49 years, and has served in parishes, schools, and other institutions, as Pastor, Chaplain, Teacher, and Diocesan Director with various portfolios. He dedicated himself to this Mission to work for the 'Other Sheep', who had never heard of Christ ever before. In order to fulfill his mission, he established the Sri Christa Sharan Social Development Society and registered it. For the past 29 years, it has been rendering selfless service to the most marginalized people, especially oppressed women and children. It has been helping people with education, in health, child care, maternal care, herbal and native medicine, yoga, literacy, savings, agriculture, horticulture, forestry, watershed development and management, animal husbandry, poultry farming, vermicluture, organic farming and very importantly, self esteem and self image, specially among women.

Max Mendes Group President, Maxim handed over a check of $1,000 to Fr. Lobo on behalf of his group. Fr. Joe thanked Max and his group for the generosity in helping his ashram and said that the mission in his ashram is the mission of all community people. He requested the audience to visit his website http://www.christasharan.org/ for further details of his mission and the needs of the people in this ashram.

Then started the much awaited cultural show. First song of the program, Chandrema sung by Nishita D'Mello, Nicole D'Mello and Nerissa D'Mello was very much appreciated by the audience. Maxim Mendes, Peter D'Souza and Donald Alva played a comedy skit called Udayavani News, which filled the hall with laughter and applause. Following was a Hindi Remix by Crystal Lobo, Lillian Lobo, Janice D'Souza, Shaina Mendes, Alisha Alva, Brooke Dias, Kyle D'Mello, Aaron Mathias, Oliver Mathias, Alistar D'Souza, Dixon D'Cunha, Cassandra D'Cunha, Trisha Pinto, Dwight Rodrigues & Sidhant Pereira. Joyson D'Souza and his renowned Music Band 'Casual Encounter' kept the entire show lively by their superb musical accompaniment.

Various nostalgic and artistic dances choreographed by the renowned choreographers were simply superb and breathtaking. The hilarious jokes at regular intervals of the show by great comedians like Maxim Mendes, Peter D'Souza, Donald Alva, Oswald Sequeira, Flavian Pinto, Prescilla D'Cunha, Herbert Lobo, Leo Rego, Lydia Sequeira, Kevin Sequeira, Ronald D'Souza, Jaison Pinto and Anita Pinto enthralled the audience with uncontrollable laughter!

Following items were performed by various groups and individuals: Konkani Song Daryachea Laranim by Teresa Moraes; Comedy Skit Dhaddo Redo by Oswald Sequeira, Herbert Lobo and Flavian Pinto; Konkani Song Dingri Dingri Dingri Dingri Dinga by Joylin D'Souza; Hindi Dance Barso Re by Vinisha and Clarissa D'Souza; Konkani Song Sangche Kithim Hai Hai Bombay Sherachem by Oscar Nazareth; Comedy Skit Prescy Ye Prescy by Flavian Pinto & Precy D'Cunha; Latin Song Lambada by Rachelle Almeida; Konkani Song Sobhit Sobhit Rupnnem by William Moraes and Vinita Chitte; Konkani Song Kithlo Hanv Sonthosan Fulthomgai by William Moraes; Dance Fusion in Malayalam/Tamil/Hindi by Reanne George and Sangeetha Ganesh; Comedy Skit Chai by Oswald Sequeira, Herbert Lobo and Flavian Pinto; Konkani Song Hero by Michele D'Mello; Comedy Skit Praksh Hacho Roce by Leo Rego, Oswald Sequeira, Lydia Sequeira, Kevin Sequeira, Ronald D'Souza, Jaison Pinto and Anita Pinto; Comedy Skit Kaataanth Podon More by Austin Prabhu, Denzil Concesso and Mercy Concesso; English Song Lambada by Hayden D'Souza and Lorraine D'Souza; English Song Someday by Hayden D'Souza and Lorraine D'Souza; Comedy Skit Gullyo by Oswald Sequeira and Donald Alva; Konkani Mono Skit Bijjyamechem Rozar by Michael Serrao, Melissa Serrao, Sherwin Serrao, Veronica Mathias, Rayner Mendes and Fransisca Pinto which was accompanied singing by Gerry D'Mello and Oscar Nazareth; Konkani Song Piyega Piyega by Gerry D'Mello; final comedy skit Khaingi Pollailleaporim Zatha by Flavian Pinto, Maxim Mendes, Peter D'Souza and Herbert Lobo and final Konkani song Firngi Bhas by Denzil Concesso. This year's cultural show gained momentum by the participation of not only the local Mangaloreans of Canada but also of theUnited States. Renowned international personality, Austin D'Souza Prabhu of Chicago, USA and his team Denzil Concesso and Mercy Concesso were part of the event who performed a rib tickling skit 'Kattaanth Poddon Mor' written and directed by Austin Prabhu, which sent the crowd into peels of laughter throughout its enactment.

This program was a feast of cultural variety by young and old alike to entertain the entire crowd in the hall. During the program,the organiser of the event and well known 'Community Hero' Maxim Mendes felicitated the sponsors of the program for their generosity, help and hard work. All were called to the stage and Fr. Joe Mary Lobo handed over them an appreciation certificate.

Predominant focus of this program was Konkani to spread the richness of its language, culture and heritage. As an appreciation of talents, other languages were also entertained by the organizers. Donald Alva conducted Raffle Draw and the proceeds were given to Fr. Joe Mary Lobo's Ashram. Rayner Mendes expressed thanks & gratitude to all who had contributed for the success of the function in his Vote of Thanks.

As an additional attraction, Konkan Delite's lip smacking scrumptious authentic Mangalorean dinner was served to all participants and spectators. At the entrance, all participants and spectators were served with authentic Indian snacks. Max Mendes Group had another lovely feather to their cap with this Canara Kala Sanz.