Associations' / Institutions' News

Media Release

Dammam, Feb 22, 2017 : It was a historic day for the Konkani community of Saudi Arabia as the first ever Konkani music concert along with Gulf Baila Naach Saudi semi-final round, hosted by Aangann Konknnechem, unfolded in Dammam on Friday February 17.

The competitors were Carol D'Souza with Harold D'Souza, Reema with Harold and Vijitha couple. Harold and Reema Mathias from Dammam were declared winners of the Baila Jodi Saudi and were felicitated by Kevin and Muriel Nazareth. They will represent Saudi Arabia at the grand finale in Doha on April 28.

Despite the heavy rains, water logging and traffic constraints, it was a packed house for this historic event. The event began with a prayer song by Pramila Rodrigues, Babitha Rodrigues, Divya D’Souza and Jacintha Nazareth from Jubail.

The main sponsors Kevin and Muriel Nazareth along with Allen and Carol D’Souza, Richard Rodrigues, Naveen Melwyn D’Souza and Arun D'Souza lighted the lamp and inaugurated the competition. Arun Palimar, gurkar of AKR welcomed the gathering.

The first session of the evening was Gulf Baila Naach competition compered by Saritha D’Souza. The session saw some fabulous moves by the competitors which captivated the audience. The judges were Jainy Joju and Shilpa.

Kevin Misquith live in concert followed soon after Gulf Baila Naach competition and was compered by Voice of Arabia fame Aashelon Roshan Rodrigues. He left no stone unturned to keep the audience captivated with his rib-tickling jokes and presence of mind.

AKR president Carol D’Souza thanked the sponsors, and along with gurkar Arun D'Souza honoured and felicitated them with bouquets. Cultural programme participants and support singers of Saudi Arabia were also felicitated with mementos and certificates. The judges Jainy Joju and Shilpa, Gulf Baila Naach contestants and singers Kevin Misquith, Jackson Noronha and Clyde Lobo were felicitated by Kevin and Muriel Nazareth with bouquets.

On this occasion, the best of Kevin Misquith's 'Kalzanth Utulli Sangeeth Lahram' Konkani CD was launched by Kevin and Muriel Nazareth, Vincent and Jacintha Saldanha, Naveen Fernandes couple, Allen and Carol D’Souza, and Arun D’Souza.

The cultural programme began with a splendid dance performance by the talented and enthusiastic Stevina and group, Karan and group dance choreography by Michelle Mascarenhas Urva Riyadh, Arabian Rock Stars group, Anugraha Nrithya Vidyalaya group, Sony Menezes and group, and Alwisha group. They left the audience asking for more!

The crowd went hysterical right from the word go as they watched a comedy show called 'Yeak Raath Maatrh' staged by Herald D’Souza (Mudarangadi), Carol D’Souza (Urva) and Rupan Almeida (Puttur). They created a laughter riot among the audience.

Wilson Crasta of Aangann Konknnechem proposed the vote of thanks. The programme came to an end with the announcement of the winners of the Baila Jodi Saudi. While everyone in the auditorium waited with bated breath for the results, the announcement itself was splendid, not just because of the deafening applause that followed it, but also because of the expression of triumph as well as intense emotion that it brought upon the faces of the winners.

Kevin Misquith concert then began with Kevin taking the centre stage. His first song 'Mhoeja Anja' received a rousing response. Pride of Arabia fame Vanessa Saldanha presented 'Heyo Heyo' along with 'Kalza Thar' with Kevin Misquith. Voice of Arabia fame Aashelon Roshan Rodrigues (2012 and 2014), Ralph D’Souza (2016) and Sony Dsouza, Manoj Mascarenhas (2010), Pramila Rodrigues (2014 and 2016) were the other singers who accompanied Kevin. Jackson Noronha and Clyde Lobo from Kevin’s band Milestone scored the background music. The crowd fully enjoyed Kevin’s superhit compositions, with huge round of cheers and applause for each song. The concert concluded with a non-stop Baila masala at the end.

The sponsors for the event were Kevin and Muriel Nazareth; Vincent and Blanch Sequeira, Alphons Lasrado, Allen and Carol D’Souza, Rocque D’Souza Bahrain., Yogesh Poojary, Vincent Saldanha, Naveen Fernandes, Richard D’Silva, Joey Fernandes and well-wishers. LED screen, sound, video and photographs were by Bens Mathews Sky Light, Dammam. Delicious food snacks and dinner were served by Red Table.

It was truly a historic day for Konkani music and Konkani people of Saudi Arabia. Aangann Konknnechem is celebrating its 10th anniversary soon.