UK Konkans, the premier Mangalorean organisation in the UK celebrated its annual Christmas programme with grandeur and to a full house on 8 December 2013 at the Addlestone community centre.
The Christmas celebrations started with all the children being invited to join in with the Christmas carol singing accompanied by live music provided by UK Konkans boy band. These angelic voices backed by fantastic live band showed the talent within the UK Konkans children. This was followed by a Christmas Tableau by the younger kids and pretty dancers which depicted the nativity of our Lord. What a perfect way to commence this years Christmas celebration!
The master of ceremony Tom D’Souza and Shanti Menezes welcomed the guest and presented a fantastic show. They connected well with the audience with lovely one liners, jokes and presented lots of novelty spot prizes. They invited UK Konkans first woman president Esthela Vaz on the stage, who then introduced her entire team that has worked tirelessly to achieve this success.
The theme of this years celebration was “Share a smile” and what a better way to do it than by supporting a good cause. Home made Kuswar was sold to raise money for Seon Ashram in Belthangady, Karnataka, a charity that provides care of psychiatric patients, the aged and the education of poor children. More details of this charitable organisation can be found at here.
The stage was set alight with performances and skits that kept everyone well entertained throughout.
Many thanks to our fantastic performers and contributors:
-Denika’s beautiful dance performance on Ghagra song
-Eric, Herald, Tom and Praveen for the Dukor Peddy skit
– Tia Dsouza for enthusiastic dance on Anarkali Disco Chali
– Glenish and Glenston for their excellent moves on the 2013 Bollywood medley
-The two stunning Nagins – Beena and Stella who got the whole crowd grooving to the latest Bollywood numbers
– Eric, Harry/Shanti/Gratian providing lunchtime entertainment with their singing with live band of Elton, Elroy and Hebroyn
– Stella, Thomas and Arun for their honeymoon skit
– Elvira, Elvita, Cimona and Diyona for their beautifully choreographed dance of Aaja Nachle
– Tom and Raphael for their marvellous drunken act
– Melwyn, Eric and Herald provided scintillating music that kept the party going full steam
– Beena D’Souza for the costumes and presentation of the Christmas Tableau
– The Kuswar making team who took time out of their busy lives to support a worthy cause
– To all the volunteers who helped set up and decorate the stage, photography, manning the free bar, serve food and overwhelming help for clearing the hall after the event
We appreciate your contribution and Dev Borem Khorum to each one of you.
We would specially thank our main sponsors Mr and Mrs Lobo along with our co-sponsors – Wales Auto for sponsoring kids costumes and gifts, Dr Cyprian and family, Dr Michael and family, Dr Derek and family for their contributions. We are also thankful to all those who have sponsored in kind through gifts and other items including wine and champagne. Our thank you also goes to Kevin Madtha for sponsoring this year’s Christmas Raffle Prize.
There were shiny and smiling faces everywhere, and the attendees were having a lot of fun interacting with fellow Mangaloreans and acquaintances . All guest took active part in the Christmas Bible quiz which was a good way to refresh the word of God during advent.
After building a very good appetite with lots of dancing, good music and games, the sumptuous buffet with Pork Sorpotel, chicken curry, veg Korma, chicken fry, Kheer was thoroughly enjoyed by the guests.
The arrival of Santa Claus added true Christmas spirit to the event as large number children who were waiting eagerly welcomed Santa with enthusiasm. Santa, on his part, did not disappoint the eager kids and distributed sweets to all.
There were winners all around with the massive gift hamper won by Richard Menezes, other prizes were follow on prizes, housie prizes and a variety of spot prizes.
The party ended with a dance session followed by Mangalorean Baila. All left very satisfied and with heaps of praises to the organisers for bringing out such a lovely programme.
Next year being our tenth anniversary, We promise to do even better, in keeping up the rich culture & traditions of Mangalore.
Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.
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