Media Release, photograph courtesy: Ronald D'Souza
Canada, May 9, 2011 : A par excellence performance displayed by Claud D'Souza at the PCSS Auditorium, Mississauga, on the 7th annual Canara Kala Saanz, not only captivated the hearts of Canadians but sent them home with nostalgic feelings of Mangalore.
The auditorium comprising of Mangaloreans, Konkanas, Maharashtrians, Goans, East Indians and local Canadians, enjoyed the action packed afternoon portraying the various cultural activities like dandiya, cinematic dances, songs & jokes. This year Canara World Foundation (CWF) added yet another feather on their cap, by including the authentic food in their program thus adding a flare to the promotion of Mangalorean culture in Canada.
The show began with the singing of the anthems of India by Lara Rebello & group and Canada by Alysha Alva.
Nancy Mendes very eloquently opened the show and welcomed the gathering. The curtain raiser was a new song "Dhees Kusheo" sung and composed by Claud D'Souza just for the Konkani Canadians. The local artists Gerry D'Mello, Wilson D'Souza, Oscar Nazareth, Anita Prabhu, Lara Rebello, Sonia Monteiro & Manorah Pais enthralled the audience with the superb display of their singing prowess. The crowd puller was the song "Cocko Doodle", sung by the child artist Seneca Rego. Claud gave a befitting memoriam to the legendary singer Late Wilfy Rebimbus by singing the song "Adieus thuka Konkan Kogul". The song "Muji Mai" sung by Nicole & Nerissa D'Mello was a surprise Mother's day gift to all the Mothers. The auditorium reverberated with the pulsating music played by Oliver & Ian Sequeira, Tony Pinto of 'Amchem Noxib & Nirmon" fame and their troupe. Moving and grooving to the songs, were the dancers Shannon Pais, Vinisha & Clarissa D'Souza, Natasha D'Souza, Clementina & Lawrentina D'Souza, Joylin D'Souza, Melden & Meghan Pereira, Sid & Bhavana Pereira, Danica Coutinho, Michelle Patrao, Riya Pinto, Irita Karmalkar, Aaron & Nicole Machado, Naomi & Amit Shankar. Donald Alva superbly compered the show in Konkani.
The hilarious jokes enacted by Flavian Pinto, Claud D'Souza, Ronald Monteiro, Max Mendes, Wilson D'Souza, Melden Pereira, Priscilla D'Souza, Miriam Pinto, Nancy Mendes & Nilofer D'Souza made the audience go in splits of laughter.
Paul Mathias in his felicitation speech expressed his appreciation of Claud D'Souza's contribution to the Konkani music and as customary, Max Mendes & Martin Menezes felicitated him and a bouquet was presented by Irene Mathias. Claud thanked the local singers and musicians who complemented his performance. He was thankful to CWF for their unremitting spirit to keep the culture alive in Canada and for harnessing and displaying the local talents.
Nilofer D'Souza presided over the Excellence in Education Award in honour of Late Rose & Henry Castelino and this year's Jr. category award was bagged by Sid Pereira and the Sr. category by Nicole D'Mello.
On behalf of Canara World Foundation, Miriam Pinto thanked Claud D'Souza, the musicians, singers, artists, sponsors, volunteers, guests and the members of the Organizing committee -Mr. Paul & Irene Mathias, Mr. Flavian & Miriam Pinto, Mr. Max & Nancy Mendes, Mr. Donald & Sandra Alva, Ingrid Pereira, Nilofer D'Souza & Mr. Michael Serrao.
The finale was Claud's signature "Non stop Baila" which attracted the crowd to come onto the floor and dance to their hearts content, thus making this event a memorable one.
This mega event was supported by the generous sponsorship of:
MAX MENDES - MAX MENDES GROUP
FLAVIAN PINTO - SUNLIFE FINANCIALS
MARTIN MENEZES - MORTGAGE & BUSINESS CONSULTANT
NANCY MENDES- CANADIAN IMMIGRATION
ROY CASTELINO-ORBIT BROKERS INC.
UAE EXCHANGE- WORLD'S TRUSTED MONEY TRANSFERER
AYOUB ALI - BARRISTER & SOLICITOR
STAN GOVEAS - PEACE MONUMENTS
OLIVER SEQUEIRA- CARGO LINK WORLDWIDE LTD.
WILSON D'SOUZA -MORTGAGE CONSULTANT
KEVIN D'SOUZA - STATEFARM INSURANCE
RONALD REGO- REGO INTERNATIONALS
RAVI FERNANDES - TRINITY AUTO CENTRE
DIWAKAR KAMATH- CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT
ANTONIO DELLA SCIUCCA - MORTGAGE CONSULTANT
DESMOND D'CUNHA- MANGO MIRCHI
