Canara World Events

News : Gerry D’Mello
Photo credits : Chethan Madtha

Undoubtedly, it was an evening of splendor for the Konkani Community in Greater Toronto at the extraordinary and record-setting, ‘Canara Kala Saanz 2024’ event presented by Canara World Foundation Inc. (CWF) to mark its 20th Anniversary, held on May 11th at the state-of-the-art Meadowvale Theatre, Mississauga.

Ivan Sequeira was honored with the prestigious “Canara Kala Sanketh” award for his lifetime dedication to Konkani art and singing. Miriam Pinto, the executive committee member of CWF, delivered a touching biography of Ivan Sequeira, followed by Max Mendes, President of the CWF, who draped him in a traditional shawl; Flavian Pinto, the founder member, then presented the award. All executive committee members—Max & Nancy Mendes, Flavian& Miriam Pinto, Paul & Irene Mathias, Mavy& Ingrid Pereira, Arun & Jennifer Mendes, Joyson D'Souza and Boniface Viegas—were invited on stage for this felicitation ceremony.

The Meadowvale Theatre gates opened at 1:30 PM to a sea of eager attendees, who filled the entire theatre. The Three hours of non-stop entertainment-packed program got an electrifying start with ‘O Canada’ and ‘Jana Gana Mana’ the National Anthems of Canada and India.The evening's proceedings were masterfully emceed by Gerry D'Mello, who impressed the audience with his impeccable command of the Konkani language.

The scintillating performance of all the performers, especially the International Stars, singing legend Ivan Sequeira, the Gulf Voice of Mangalore Morvine Quadros, Canada’s Nightingale Babita Pinto, Konkani TV fame Wilson D’Souza and Do Re Mi Fa renowned Gerry D’mello, left the audience awe struck. The first song of the evening was a melodious number ‘Mojem Kalliz Bullam’ of Amar Wilfy was magnificently sung by Babita.

Flavian Pinto, the brain behind the Canara Kala Saanz also nick-named as Canada’s comedy king, extended a warm welcome and highlighted the foundation's inception and growth till date. He then introduced Konkani’s incredible singing legend of international fame Ivan Sequeira who set the stage on fire with his powerful renditions, belting out his all-time favorites in Konkani like ‘MuzoZalmalloGaanv’, ‘MojeaKudinthleaShirani’, ‘Zeena’&‘Naasvali’, holding the audience completely spellbound. Several emotional songs like ‘Hanve yillo so tho gethlo’, ‘DhuveMuje,’&‘Kutmachenavsangonaka,’ which moved the audience to tears. Local artist Wilson D'Souza delivered a powerful rendition of ‘Lily’.

Morvine’s ‘Dhuve Muje’ song composed by Amar Claud D’Souza gave a befitting tribute to the late Claud D’Souza who passed away in July 2023.The new music score ‘Vothga Dharam,’a comedy song rendered by Gerry D’mello, Morvine Quadros & Wilson D’Souza with befitting visuals, was very entertaining.
A graceful dance performance to ‘Rani muji go thu’ by Allison Peres, Abigail Peres, and Adelyn Mathias added elegance to the evening. Patricia Lewis with her superb dance moves, for the song ‘Naasvali’, impressed the audience.

Two hilarious comedy skits, ‘Vorn’ and ‘Phirkis’, performed by Flavian Pinto, Lawrence Pinto, Alphons D'Souza, Santosh D'Souza, and Nancy Mendes, were a hit, leaving the audience in splits.

The other highlights of the evening were the recognition of special guests and contributors. Nancy Mendes, invited the Guest of Honour Mr. Romeo Jack Barbosa and his wife Ophelia Barbosa on stage. Ingrid Pereira, presented a bouquet to Ophelia Barbosa. Mr. Barbosa, an illustrious businessman and strong supporter of Goan and Mangalorean culture, presented the Community Award to Joyson D'Souza, the music director of the show, for his significant contributions to the Mangalorean community in Canada. Paul Mathias presented a token of appreciation to the GVOM star singer, Morvine Quadros.

Max Mendes, the dynamic President of CWF in his vote of thanks reflected on the 20-year journey of CWF, from the first historical WilfyNite to the present show. He extended his gratitude to the spiritual director Fr. RanjanD’Sa for his spiritual guidance and for providing a venue for the CWF’s Cultural Centre. He also thanked the Mangalorean die-hard fans of Konkani culture, language & music. Special thanks were extended to Ashith Pinto for sound & console, Glen Saldanha for digital & graphics, Chethan Madtha for video &photography. Media partners: Daijiworld& KTV, Social media promoters: renowned Mangalorean singers Meena & VishwasRebimbus, Melwyn Peris, Kevin Misquith and Walter Nandalike promoter of Daijiworld, were also acknowledged. Volunteers: Aubin D'Souza, Ronan D'Souza, Tamera Mendes, Jenilda Mathias, and Nate Mathias were specially recognized, with their pictures flashing on the multimedia backdrop.

Sponsors who supported the event were acknowledged through a digital display and dedicated songs.
Event Sponsor: Max Mendes Group

Platinum sponsors:
Flavian Pinto of Sunlife Financials
Ravi Fernandes of Trinty Auto
Jack Barbosa – Green PI Inc.
And Two Anonymous Donors

Gold sponsors:
Arun Mendes– Reliable Law
Rony Rego- Rego International
Vincent Machado
Stan Goveas – Peace Monuments
Nelson D’Costa
Kannan Dental Center
Hemant Raigangar- Century Travels
Frank Serrao – Dixie Toyota
Peter Lobo– Legal Services

The talented band Mega Tuners was introduced by Gerry D'Mello, who complemented the singers with their spectacular music.

The grand finale of the evening was a Baila song blend by Ivan, Morvine and Babita giving befitting tribute to Konkan Kogull Amar Wilfy Rebimbus, Sangeeth Samraat Henry D’Souza, Konkan Kalashree Amar Claud D’Souza, Yodeling King Melwyn Peris and Canara Kala Saanketh Kevin Misquith. These were the highlighted singers who performed in the past Canara Kala Saanz events. The audience showed their appreciation by giving the performers a standing ovation. After the show concluded, the artists were mobbed for selfies by the audience in the lounge.

CWF, proudly takes credit for creating history in North America by organizing the first ever ‘Wilfy Nite’ in 2005, this was one of Konkani World’s greatest music entertainment programs in Canada, almost two decades ago. This success was followed by other Canara Kala Saanz, like ‘Claud Nite' 2008, 'Henry Nite' 2009, 'MelwynPerisNite 2010, repeat ‘ClaudNite’ 2011, and Canara Kala Saanz with veteran Konkani dramatist ‘Francis Fernandes Cascia’ in 2012, repeat ‘WilfyNite’ 2014, ‘Canadian Stars Nite’ 2016, ‘Kevin Misquith Nite’ 2019 & ‘Mangalorean Konkani Priests Appreciation Day’ 2022. This year’s 20th Anniversary Canara Kala Saanz was a magnificent celebration, uniting the Mangalorean community through music, dance, and cultural activities and has been rated as one of the best classic programs that CWF organized.

CWF, prides in being the only organization in the Konkani world, to host musical programs with renowned international Mangalorean stars, over the span of two decades.

PICTURE ALBUM LINK:
cwf photographs - ChethanMadtha - Google Drive

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