Mangaluru, Feb 10: St Joseph Natak Sangh, started by the Jesuit priests has completed 90 successful years of its existence. The annual day and 90th Intruz day celebration, a rich tradition carried on from generations was well organized by St Joseph Natak Sangh Jeppu, on Sunday, February 7.

To commemorate this great occasion, a thanksgiving Mass was offered by St Joseph Natak Sangh members. Fr Wilfred Prakash D’souza, principal of St Joseph’s college, Jeppu presided over the Holy Mass along with St Joseph’s Asylum Industrial Workshops director and manager Fr Lawrence D’souza, thanking God for the numerous blessings bestowed and remembering fondly those members who have passed away and worked for this Sangh.

The evening programme began with a prayer song ‘Namo Namo’ in the voice of Konkan Kogull Late Wilfy Rebimbus. The budding talents of Infant Mary’s school welcomed the gathering with a beautiful prayer dance – Swagtha. The compare for the evening, Celine D’souza welcomed the gathering and the guest of honour, Fr Wilfred Prakash D’souza, chief guest Mayor Jacintha Vijaya Alfred, Jeppu Parish Priest Fr Nelson Dalmeida, director of Natak Sangh Fr Lawrence D’souza, Sr Lizzie D’souza from Infant Mary’s Convent and president of St Joseph Natak Sangh – Pamela Santos.

Fr Lawrence welcomed the gathering and the dignitaries. The annual report of the Sangh was read out by the President of the Sangh, Pamela Santos. Fr Nelson in his address applauded the Sangh for the good work carried out and congratulated the members for setting up an example and starting the programme on time. The Sponsors and all those who helped Sangh over the last year were felicitated with a memento and flowers by Fr Lawrence. Jacintha Vijaya Alfred in her address too congratulated the members and assured her support. The committee members who have been working constantly for the welfare of the Sangh were also felicitated with a memento and flowers. Prizes were distributed by the dignitaries to the winners of the sports day event.

The Guest of honour for the evening, Fr Wilfred Prakash D’souza in his address said, “This Natak Sangh is a place where talents were recognized and nurtured from the last 90 years. Intruz Day which is the Sunday before Ash Wednesday was an important platform for these talents to perform. Every year at least one play would be presented by the people of Jeppu. Initially the Jesuit priests directed the plays and then the tradition followed with prominent play writers like Louis Netto, Wilfy Rebimbus, Jemmy Barrocas who started writing scripts, directing and staging their own plays on this same stage. He also said he was proud to associated with Jeppu parish for 9 years during his seminary studies and last 3 years as a principal. Jeppu Parish as said in the past is an ocean of talents and definitely one cannot deny that all these talents have been born, nurtured and bloomed from this Natak Sangh and have spread their wings all over the world and brought great name to our community and Jeppu. He strongly urged the parents to take active interest in their children’s activities and instill in them love for music, art and culture so that in future too many more talents will be born, nurtured and bloomed from here.”

Margaret Sartho, joint Secretary of the Sangh proposed the vote of thanks.

'Zoshi Korni Thoshi Bhorni' Konkani play by Clarence Pinto , Padil was staged by talented stars as part of entertainment programme.