Lorna performing before thousands of Goans at the ‘Goa Day London’ festival at Hounslow in West London.
LONDON
Goa’s nightingale Lorna was at her very best as she enthralled over 10,000 Goans in London on Sunday, as part of the two-day ‘Goa Day London’ festival hosted by ShowBiz Global at Cranford Community College ground at Hounslow in West London.
Lorna sang her popular tunes which included, ‘Bebdo’, ‘Piso’, ‘Sorg Tujea Dolleani’, ‘Aikat Mozo Tavo’, ‘Amizad Franklinachi’, ‘Amiizad Franklinache’, ‘Nachom-ia Kumpasar’, much to the delight of the crowds as they sang along with her.
During her 30-minute performance, the organisers arranged a birthday cake to celebrate her 80th birthday which falls on August 9.
Before cutting the cake, Bella Fernandes raised a toast to Lorna, as the nightingale along with her sister, Clementine, cut the cake on stage before the massive crowd, who sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to Lorna.
Her fans kept demanding more tunes, and Lorna obliged by singing a few more than what was planned. Lorna had earlier announced that this would be her last performance at the ‘Goa Day London’ festival.
The ‘Goa Day London’ festival on Sunday started with a special Mass in Konkani celebrated by Fr Patrick De Souza of the Pilar Society.
After Mass, Konkani singers and Goan comedians entertained the gathering. The ‘Goa Day’ tune and lyrics written by Neves Oliveira was sung by the popular sisters, Lanisha and Delisha Vaz, also known as Melodies Konkani Stars. They were accompanied by Lenny Gomendes.
Other Goan performances included Maria Carvalho, Daneera DeSouza, Bladwin and Brendon, Benzer Fernandes, Saby de Vasco, The Celestial, LIL Ferns from Swindon, NLR (Nick Rodriguese).
Another Goan singer, Natasha D’Cunha from Bombay sang Konkani songs, which included some of Lorna’s tunes. A youth Goan group from Hounslow presented a stage dance by Jason and Silvia Dance Group.
Other DJs included DJ Jonathan, DJ Salvino Miranda, DJ Manuel, DJ Enrico, DJ Sam and DJ Armstrong.
‘Apache Indian’ singing his popular tunes at the ‘Goa Day London’ festival at Hounslow in West London, accompanied by Gubzy.
They were followed by the well-known MC Madhukar Malhotra who warmed up the crowed as he introduced Steven Kapur BEM, famously known by the stage name ‘Apache Indian’ who is a British singer-songwriter and reggae DJ.
‘Apache Indian’ sang his popular tunes, which included the hit ‘Boom Shack-A-Lak’, as he was accompanied by Gubzy and DJ Rajan.
Closing the show was a group from Goa, ‘Black Sapphire’, who entertained the crowd to the end.
PRAISE FROM MP
Local Labour MP and Minister Seema Malhotra, Labour MP for Feltham and Heston in West London, which now holds the portfolio as Under Secretary of State in the Home Office, was present at the ‘Goa Day London’ festival.
In her address to the gathering, Malhotra said that she was very happy to see Goans celebrate their culture.
Thanking the Goan community for supporting her in the recent elections, Malhotra said she was happy to have celebrated St Francis Xavier’s Feast at the House of Commons last year for the first time and that she will would have one in parliament this year as well.
“We will continue to raise the voice and profile of the Goan Community and to make sure that you will have a helping hand in your councils and your Member of Parliament to help you and your families and your businesses,” said Malhotra.
FOOD, ENTERTAINMENT
There were over a dozen various food stalls serving Goan delicacies and a bar that also sold Goan Feni. The children were treated to in a special area which included various games and other entertainment.
MC Bunty Vas and MC Swinburne Fernandes kept the crowd entertained, while Peter Miranda managed the stage.
WeFlash, a newly formed group of four young Goans covered the function on both days with photography and video coverage.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Towards the close of the festival, the MC requested the three partners of ShowBiz Global, Calvin Baretto, Somesh Velguekar and Nitin Thakur to come on stage. Calvin and Nitin thanked the crowd for supporting the Goa Day Festival. They also expressed their gratitude to the police, security, ambulance services along with the sponsors.
In his address, Somesh emphasised the importance of Goans being united and said this third edition of Goa Day London had been a huge success.
