Mangalore Cultural Association - Qatar celebrated Monti Fest with great splendor and grandeur on September 12, 2016 at the Indian Cultural Centre Doha. The program began with emcee, Jovita Pereira D’Souza’s hospitable welcome to the gathering. In order to seek the blessings of the Almighty on the auspicious program, MCA’s theme song was sung by the members and a prayer was recited by Mrs. Clara D’Souza. The blessed corn (Novem) was served to the gathering.  The Advisory Member, Mr. Felix Lobo was escorted to the stage by President, Arthur Pais and Vice President Aloysious D’Souza for a short stage program. President, Arthur Pais welcomed the gathering and briefed about the upcoming programs that MCA has charted down for the year. Like in the past years, this year too MCA revered its member’s children who have academically excelled in the 8^th, 9^th, 10^th, 11^th, 12^th and Bachelor’s Degree exams as an encouragement and appreciation to them. The list of honored students is as below:

Advisory member, Mr. Felix Lobo addressed the gathering and elucidated the history behind having Saint Teresa of Calcutta as MCA’s patron. On the joyous occasion of the canonization of Mother Teresa as a saint, a souvenir for her honor was released by Mrs. Stephany Lobo.

A few cultural programs were put up by the members. Anna Pais and Christle Pinto beautifully rendered a composition of Late Wilfy Rebimbus titled ‘Mother Teresa’. This marked an apt opening to the evening’s unambiguous cultural show.  Clement Fernandes left the audience enthralled by his astounding performance of the song ‘Thun Ye’ from the album ‘Ye Mana’ composed by Lloyd Rego and Roshan D’Sozua.  Konkan Tarah, namely Muriel Santhmayor, Jenevene Saldanha, Susan Rodrigues and Shanthi Andrade danced to the tunes of ‘Ya Ya Canara Festak’. Naveen and Sunitha D’Souza exquisitely performed a romantic number titled ‘Voilya Molbar’, a composition of Late Wilfy Rebimbus. Jyothi Noronha grooved to ‘Vel dhanvtha’ from Melwyn Peris Video Album Sophia. A scintillating song, ‘Amche ghar mandir mogachem’ from the movie Padri composed by Wilfy Rebimbus was sung by Kirthan Rodrigues, Rupert Lobo, Naveen D’Souza and Wilma Pinto. A traditional Konkani romantic number, ‘Suryachi Kirna’ was sung by Anjali Andrade and Rupert Lobo once again spellbinding the audience. Agnel Ullas D’Souza, Neil D’Silva, Jason Dais, Clement Fernandes and Praveen Lobo charmingly performed a composition from Ajith D’Souza’s “Then yeunchya velar” called ‘Gulfanth vavurche dadle’. A couple of spot games were conducted by Jovita Pereira D’Souza. An entertaining and rib tickling drama, written by “Konkan Kala Shree” Claud D’Souza namely ‘Keppeachi Kestamvam’ was enacted by Clifford Goveas, Sandeep Noronha, Aloysious D’Souza, Lerlyn D’Souza and Leena Lobo. The audiences were caught in tickles and giggles at the performance.

The home cooked scrumptious traditional vegetarian “Novem Jevann” that was prepared by the MCA Committee members under the leadership and guidance of Mrs. Stephany Lobo was relished by all with great appreciation.