KCWA Celebrates Konkani Diwas 2026 and Vodle Fest in Grand Style in Kuwait
Kuwait: The Kuwait Canara Welfare Association (KCWA) hosted a vibrant and memorable Konkani Diwas and Vodle Fest on Friday, January 23rd, at the Indian Community School, Khaitan, Kuwait. The day-long event showcased the rich culture and traditions of Mangalore and Goa, attracting approximately 1000 attendees and featuring over 300 participants.
The celebration encompassed a diverse range of activities, including game stalls, food stalls offering authentic Mangalorean cuisine, and a variety of entertainment programs featuring performances by children, Roce Sambhram, Kazar, comedy skits, Mando singing, dance, and Konkani songs presented by both Mangalorean and Goan associations. Attendees savored homemade Mangalorean delicacies such as potrade, seviyo, sanna, panpole, sweet mutli, chicken sukka, kori-rotti, mutton curry, Kundapur chicken, mutton green curry, beef sukka, golibaje, buns, chone tendly, galbechi chetni, vorn, charmuri, falooda, tamde gule, and acroot, among other festive sweets.
The event commenced at 1:00 PM with an introduction to the Vodle Fest by compère Deepak Andrade. Sharon Gonsalves led the opening prayer, followed by a hymn sung by Gloria D’Souza during the stall blessings. Fr. Avil Rosario, Spiritual Animator of KCWA, officially inaugurated the fest by cutting the ribbon at the exhibition counter and blessing the game and food stalls.
The evening stage program commenced with an introduction to Konkani culture and traditions by compères Sharon Gonsalves and Gloria D’Souza, followed by the prayer hymn “Namo Namo Sarveshwara” rendered by the Managing Committee members. President Prakash Pinto welcomed the guests and audience.
KCWA Ex-Spiritual Director Rev. Fr. Melwin D’Cunha, who was visiting Kuwait, was escorted to the stage and delivered a message commending KCWA’s work. The program was formally inaugurated with the ceremonial mounting of the Konkani flag.
The children of the AKFK Abbasiya Choir Group presented a melodious rendition of Baal Gitam Bho’nddar Konkani songs from Mandd Sobhann, trained by Anil Tauro and Savita Tauro.
The Christmas Hamper initiative recognized Prakash Gonsalves, Arun Jossy D’Souza, and Prakash Pinto for their contributions, with Roystun D’Souza and Naveen Mascarenhas coordinating the hamper draw in the presence of sponsor Precilla Pereira, President Prakash Pinto, and Past Presidents Stevan Rego and Albert Praveen Menezes.
The Winners of the hampers are as follows:
Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to all the participants.
A unique dance performance themed “Konkani Bhas” by team ಕೊಂಕ್ಣಿ ಲಾರಾಂ, conceptualized by Raina D’Mello and choreographed by Mrs. Mitanshi Saish Dance Academy, showcased Mangalore’s traditional costume and cultural heritage.
The Goan community presented Goan culture through their performance of the Goan Mando with team “Florinhas De Goa,” coordinated by Xavier Lobo, featuring traditional Goan folk forms such as Mando, Dulpod, and Mhárça.
Traditional Voviyo and verse singing were presented by Team Amchi Karavali, coordinated by Lavitha Alvares and Sylvia Pinto. The KCWA MaiBhas Class students, trained by Shanthi Fernandes and Maria Rinna D’Souza, performed a Konkani song, with certificates distributed by Shanthi Fernandes.
Team ಗೀತ್ ಸಂಗೀತ್ delivered a soulful singing performance featuring songs from Mandd Sobhann, coordinated by KCWA Cultural Secretary Anil Pais. The Konkani comedy skit ‘ಕಾರ್ಬಾರಿ ಫೆಲಿಸ್’ by Team Gammath Kalakar Kuwait, directed and coordinated by Johnson D Almeida, was enjoyed by the audience, as was the Infant Jesus Kids Choir, Salmiya, with their performance coordinated by Allen Pinto and Aaron D’Souza.
Spiritual Animator Fr. Avil Rosario lauded KCWA’s efforts to preserve and promote the Konkani language. Membership Affairs Coordinator Tressy Cutinho conducted a membership lucky draw, with Ms. Roselle Dsouza announced as the winner. Fr. Darel Fernandes, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Arabia Minor Basilica, Ahmadi, urged the preservation of the Konkani language.
The mime musical ‘Kani Nai Jini’ by Jolly Friends Kala Pangad, coordinated by Linette D’Souza, showcased the life cycle through mime. This was followed by a dance performance by the Sparkling Stars Dance Group, choreographed by Rita Pinto. Traditional performances, including ‘Roce Sambhram’ by the Abbasiya Konkani community, coordinated by Lavina Furtado, ‘Kazar’ by the Ahmadi team, coordinated by Prashanth Ferrao, and ‘Burgyak Palnyanth Dovorche’ by the Salmiya team, led by Joyce D’Souza, were also presented.
Event coordinator Arun Jossy D’Souza delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to the KCWA Managing Committee, support committee members, and volunteers.
The evening concluded with a Baila dance. KCWA expressed gratitude to ICSK Khaitan and all supporters.
The event was successfully coordinated by Arun Jossy D’Souza, Reena Pereira, Anil Pais, Johnson Almeida, Kevin D’Souza, and Veena Serrao. The program concluded at 10:00 PM with the Laudate.