'Gulab' Silver Jubilee Celebrations Launched in Kuwait

'Gulab' Silver Jubilee Celebrations Launched in Kuwait


By Gasper Almeida
Photographs by Rewon Gomes

Kuwait, August 18, 2008: Paying glorious tributes to late Fr. Freddy J.Da Costa for his immense contribution to Gulab, Kala Mogui Kuwait with Gulab Working Committee launched the silver jubilee celebrations of Goa's illustrated Konkani magazine "GULAB" with a unique ceremony on Friday, August 15, 2008 coinciding with India's independence day.

The comperes Anjali Amonkar and Sushil Amonkar in a well orchestrated opening ceremony gave a brief narrative in Konkani touching upon important highlights sequencing events in a year by year account of the magazine since January 1983. The chief guest Antonio Correia Pienkar, well known Konkani poet/writer took the torch from Domingos Araujo, KMK President and Gulab Representative for Kuwait to illuminate the traditional oil lamp (diwlli) followed by the guest of honour, Fr. Teo Fernandes - vicar of Our Lady of Arabia church. In a short speech Fr. Teo urged the audience to support the magazine and the Gulab Working Committee in their endevours and wished them well. Following this, the Konkani writer-director Mario Menezes was introduced to the audience and a memento was presented to him. This is the first time Mario Menezes with his troupe performed in Kuwait.

















The unveiling of the GULAB silver jubilee banner was at the hands of senior Kuwait-based Konkani stage artistes Manuel F.X. Fernandes and Querobina Carvalho in the presence of Goa NRI Leadership Awardee (2007) & NRI Club 9 President Dr. Jaganath Chodankar, Dr.(Mrs.) Pooja Chodankar in the midst of prominent Goan and Mangalorean personalities. The inaugural ceremony continued with a galaxy of prominent personalities from the Konkani speaking Goan and Mangalorean communities including Gulab Working Committee. The inaugural ceremony added luster and illuminated the audience's sense of pride towards their mother tongue Konkani when the special invitees including Mrs. Gracy Morias, Gaspar Almeida, Lawry Pinto, Victor Mesquita, Mrs. Helen Pinto, Mrs. Marina D'Souza, Cajetan Pereira, Mrs. Fatima Pires, Tome Gracias, Luis Cardozo, Jacinto Noronha, Anthony Cardoz, Braz Rodrigues, Mrs. Aurora Fernandes, Mrs. Zinia Cardoz, Nelson Colaco, Micky Fernandes, Mrs. Effie Martins, Mrs. Maria D'Souza, Moses Coelho and Mrs. Flora Fernandes lit the specially decorated candles which was the highlight of the evening. The 25 personalities resembled the twenty five years of the existence of Gulab magazine and enriching the Konkani language. Felix Fernandes (event coordinator), Marina D'Souza (creative candle designer), Agnela Fernandes (costume designer), Joaquim Fernandes (set designer) and Santana Piedade Afonso (stage management) contributed towards the programme.

A Konkani drama by Mario Menezes with his troupe and cast entitled "Ghorabeache Vantte" was staged as part of the launch of GULAB silver jubilee celebrations. 8-year old child artiste and recipient of 2007 GULAB Award winner Rioma Menezes captivated the audience with her sensational voice which brought thunderous applause. Rosy Alvares, Comedian Joana, Agnes, Lawry Travasso, Mario de Vasco, Edisson with Goan musicians Augusto de Panchwadi and James charmed the audience with their performances and laughter riots, and the king of mimicry Sheik (Xec) Amir gave his best with voices and gimmicks of famous yesteryears' singers. The audience just loved it and encore for more. The raffle draw was conducted during the intermission.

The organizers will strive to enlarge the magazine's subscribers base and has planned two major events, namely the "Konkani Variety Show" to be held on 9/10/2008 (Thursday) at 6:15 p.m. and another programme on 19/12/2008 (Friday) at 4:15 p.m.. Due to the generous support of Konkani speaking patrons, both events will be free of charge.

'Gulab' having reached in its twenty fifth year gives pride to all Konkani lovers to feel a moment of rejoice. The late Fr. Freddy was a visionary and everyone need to inculcate his virtues, especially his selfless love for Konkani. A word of praise goes to the editorial team headed by Fausto V. Da Costa for working tirelessly to publish the monthly magazine. The Konkani readers and writers are expected to continue contributing for the growth of the magazine and preserve the language for future generation. Gulab Working Committee in Kuwait can be contacted by email at gulabq8@gmail.com, Tel: (+965) 9391452 or 9300257.

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