KARACHI, Dec 11: Lights shone on men, women and children with just about the right intensity. The atmosphere was suffused with a devotional spirit that seeks inner peace. It was a festive evening tinged with spiritual harmony as choristers from the Catholic churches of Karachi sang their hearts out during the Christmas Carol Evening at St Anthony's Church on Saturday.

In all 30 carols were sung by choristers from 10 English-speaking churches of the city. While 24 of them were sung in the English language, three were in Urdu and the remaining three in Konkani. Prior to the carol singing, choir leader Dr Delvene Soares, who was also the main force behind organising the event, delivered the welcoming address apprising the audience about the event. It was followed by inspiring, short and sweet opening remarks by Rev. Fr. Robert D'Silva, parish priest.

St Anthony's Senior Choir performed first with Mary's Song, O Holy Night and Do You See What I see. Their performance brimmed with artistic flair and devotional zeal, and the rendition was note-perfect which set the tone for the rest of the choristers. The carols began by reflections given by the choirs, delineating its meaning. After St Anthony's Senior Choir, Shamrock Choir, Dominic Savio Choir, St Anthony's Junior Choir, St Anthony's Urdu Choir, St Lawrence's Youth Choir, Presbytery Choir, Goinkar's Own Academy, St Lawrence's Senior Choir and St Patrick's Senior Choir performed.

The event is part of the festivities that lead to Christmas Day. Children, choir groups and families prepare themselves for that day in a befitting manner. Another idea behind organising the event was to unwind and lend an ear to the carols bearing in mind the current disturbing socio-political of the country. And it worked well.—Peerzada Salman