Post by: Daijiworld Media Network – Doha
Pics By: Jerald Dsouza

It was Sangeet Sardar Wilson Olivera’s 54^th Konkani Music nite and he could not have asked for a better host than Mangalore Cultural Association (MCA), famed united forum of Mangaloreans living in the State of Qatar, the Jewel of the Gulf countries, to provide the stage. And for its annual cultural extravaganza MCA could not have gotten a better artiste than Wilson Olivera to enthrall the Konkani music lovers at the brand new auditorium of DPS Monarch International School here on Friday January 17, 2020. Together, Wilson Olivera along with his fabulous troupe and MCA dished out a perfect weekend dhamaka that had the audience glued to their seats for over 4 hours.

 

 

It is said Singing evokes the temple of the soul. It was truly evident as legendary Wilson Olivera along with melodious Zeena Pereira, romantic Ashwin D’Costa, mellifluous Carol D’Souza, sonorous Clement Fernandes, enchanting Preema Pinto, soulful Naveen Pinto and spectacular Wilson Mendonca captivated the audience with their spellbinding performance. Add to it the scintillating dances by Doha’s very own Doha Dancing Squad, side-splitting comedy by Kuwait’s popular Team Pinnacle and the compering by grandiloquent Ronald Olivera. This fantastic evening covered every aspect of entertainment to the perfection in dishing out a memorable event.

Originally the Wilson Olivera nite was supposed to be held on October 18, 2019. But owing to unavoidable circumstances and technical reasons, it had to be postponed to January 17, 2020. The last minute cancellation, long, uncertain wait for the next performance could have diminished the spirits of the organizers, performers as well as the spectators. But MCA knows not how to throw in the towel, Wilson Olivera knows not what it means to give up and Konkani buffs of Qatar know not what it means to discourage artistes. That’s why the 54^th Wilson Olivera Nite scripted history and added another glittering feather to the already crowded cap of MCA as well as Wilson Olivera.

The much-anticipated evening began with the singing of MCA anthem by MCA members. This was followed by introduction to the evening by compere Ronald Olivera. Then came the moment for which everyone was waiting. Sangeet Sardar Wilson Olivera gave a rousing start to the evening by presenting popular number ‘Punvecho Chondrem’. Wilson Olivera’s compositions have a touch of the native soil and culture. Hailing from a simple background, this humble musician from quiet coastal town of Padukone, has become a legend of Konkani music. He is a rare all-rounder in Konkani music who pens his own lyrics, sets them to tunes and produces musical albums, all by himself. His first musical nite was presented in 1994 in his native Padukone and during this journey of 25 years, he has presented 54 musical nites all across the world and has brought out 7 popular Konkani music albums. He lived up to his top billing as he went on to present memorable songs ‘Vigar’, ‘Chandneachi Raat’, ‘Bharath Matha’ and ‘Ubgonn Bhogta’ to the delight of the jam-packed audience.

This was followed by romantic number ‘Maka Tujhe Khatir’ presented by Doha’s very won Melody Queen Carol D’Souza and Prince of Romance, reigning GVOM Clement Fernandes. Clement has won the hearts of the Konkani lovers all across with his stupendous singing and has created his very own fan-base within a short period. Carol D’Souza on the other hand is an amazing singer. She has a liquid gold voice that spellbinds the audience. As expected their performance was greeted with the loud applause by the ever encouraging Konkani buffs of Qatar. Clement came later in the second half of the evening to present one of Wilson Olivera’s ever popular dance number ‘Tujea Galancher’ immortalized by original singer Rony D’Cunha. This solo performance of Clement was surely one of the highlights of the evening that had the stamp of his immense talent. Carol too presented another foot-tapping duet ‘Kirak Peracho’ with Ashwin D’Costa, entertaining the audience to the maximum.

For the next 4 hours as Wilson Olivera and his team went on belting some of his most popular numbers, the audience gave them a rollicking support in appreciation of their superlative performances. While Wilson Olivera was at his best as usual best rendering soulful performances, evergreen Zeena Pereira who has carved niche for herself as one of the best female Konkani voices of our generation, lending her melodious voice for innumerable music albums and nites, showed why she is in great demand for shows in India and abroad for over 20 years. She has been part of Wilson Olivera’s troupe for 20 years now and her rendition of Wilson’s popular songs ‘Ratichea Sopnnant Eklo’, ‘Jivanth Kiteshem Bhogta’ ‘Chandneachi Raat’ and ‘Ubgonn Bhogta’ was welcomed with tremendous appreciation by the audience.

Young Ashwin D’Costa has been hitting news headlines across Konkani horizon like no other youngsters these days. A finalist in the last edition of Konkani singing reality show SOAD, he has been in great demand for musical nites as well as albums. Most knew him as owner of elegant feet as he was known for his dancing abilities. But with SOAD he has proved that he also owns a serene voice that can send the listeners into trance. This chocolate boy with romance flowing through his voice presented absolutely gleaming performances as he rendered three of Wilson’s very popular solo numbers ‘Bombaichem Chedum’ and ‘Mujea Jivant’ and ‘Lavina Priyanka’ along with another memorable duet ‘Kirak Peracho’ along with Carol D’Souza. Audience not just gave a raucous applause to his performance but had asking him for more.

Doha’s popular and loved singing couple Preema and Naveen Pinto don’t need an introduction. They have entertained and enraptured the audience with riveting performances, every time they have taken to the stage. At Wilson Olivera’s 54^th nite, the popular couple presented one of Wilson’s earliest yet evergreen duets ‘Sargachea Bukacher’, much to the delight of the spectators. Preema who has been a the first runners-up at the prestigious Konkani singing reality show Gulf Voice of Mangalore twice, also gave another mesmeric performance in presenting solo number ‘Pavxilea Disancho Vell’.

Wilson Mendonca is Qatar’s most consistent and entertaining singer for long. His fabulous voice coupled with hardwork and never-say-die attitude has taken him to the position of one of the most sought-after singers in Qatar. He along with Naveen Pinto brought curtains down to the spectacular evening by presenting most popular dance number ‘Rozy Bai Rozy Baye’.

While the audience were fed with a sumptuous meal of rich music, the dessert was served by f scintillating Doha Dancing Squad led and choreographed by young Sean Fernandes. Sean along with his brother Shown have been Qatar’s most sought-after dancers for couple of years now. The siblings with graceful feet in have formed Doha Dancing Squad that comprises of some of the finest dancers of the town Naveen D’Souza, Melita Lobo, Rock D’Souza, Viola Pereira, Jeevan Ferrao, Andrea D’Souza, Jyothi Noronha and Gina Noronha. Their dances was one of the high points of the evening as they proved that MCA’s vision of giving opportunity to the local artistes was indeed in the right direction. They have put up some hard yards in the last year or so and have given their best at every given opportunity. Wilson Olivera nite was a big stage for the young dancing squad. Yet they were not overawed by the magnitude of the event as they presented scintillating and elegant performance that had the touch of any professional dance troupe.

The icing on the cake was Team Pinnacle who had been entrusted with the responsibility of filling the humour quotient. The team comprising Lionel Mascarenhas, Lucy Aranha, Renita Mascarenhas and Rajesh Fernandes created laughter riot at DPS Monarch International School auditorium with their rib-tickling comedy, interspersed with punching dialogues and stunning timing, sending the audience into peals of laughter. The background score for the skits was done by Purander Manchi, Kuwait

The music of the evening was provided by local music group with Manoj on rhythm pads, Asan Rowlins on rhythm guitar, Danny on trumpet and Abdul Lathif on keys. Popular Konkani musician, composer Roshan D’Souza Angelore was supposed to be the leader of the music group. But owing to health reasons, he had to cancel his visit at the eleventh hour. In this absence Qatar’s very own, talented lead guitarist Royston Lobo took of the reigns and provided splendid background music. He hardly had two days to prepare. But such is his talent and ability that he came out triumphant with flying colours leading the pack of musicians who do not speak Konkani. He has directed music for couple of Kannada musical albums and had also brought out his own Konkani musical album ‘Motiam’ at the age of 19. Along with this, he has also led popular music band ‘Prophecy’ in Mangalore and Kuwait.

The musical nite was compered by one of the best Konkani, English comperes of our generation Toastmaster par excellance Ronald Olivera. He has an exceptional gift of oratory with stunning hold over language as well as the stage. Everything seems neat and tidy, yet sparkling when Rony Olivera, as he is popularly known, is on the stage. His magniloquent speaking style with grandiose Konkani vocabulary was at display again at Wilson Olivera nite as he again hosted another splendid and flawless event.

A short stage programme was held during the nite. The stage programme began with MCA president Veena Rebimbus Pais escorting MCA advisors Felix Lobo and Jerry Pinto to the dais. They were joined by MCA vice-president Clement Saldanha, former presidents Harry Lobo and Arthur Pais on the dais. Spiritual director of the the Konkani Speaking Community and Assistant Parish priest of Our Lady of Rosary Church Qatar Fr Anand Castelino and Felix Lobo who was also the main sponsor of the event gave a short message to the audience while president Veena Rebimbus Pais welcomed the gathering. All the visiting as well as local artistes were presented with mementoes. Kirthan Rodrigues & Royston Lobo, who trained most of the singers who partook in the recently-held Gulf Edition of Mozo Tallo Gaitalo, too were presented with a memento acknowledging their selfless service.

All the Karnataka based associations namely Karnataka Sangha Qatar, Mangalore Cricket Club Qatar, Bunts Qatar, Tulu Koota Qatar, South Kanara Muslim Welfare Association Qatar, Karnataka Muslims Cultural Association Qatar and Billavas Qatar Presidents and dignitaries were present on the occasion and jointly honoured Wilson Olivera.

Carol D’Souza proposed the vote of thanks while Sandeep Noronha compered the entire stage programme. Sound was provided by Symphony Doha, LED slides were beautifully created by Eddie Sequeira Mangalore.

The main sponsor of the event was Qatar Meta Coats and Daijiworld was the media partner.

The evening came to an end with a sumptuous dinner.