Mangaluru: Sometimes, it is the simplest pleasures that quietly slip away: an evening out, a familiar song, the easy comfort of being among people. Through Glowing Corner, Gloria Viegas is trying to make space for those moments again.Her independent initiative brings together women, senior citizens and like-minded people through karaoke evenings, group music sessions, art workshops and plant bingo. Mostly organised at Mangalore Banking Company and other venues, the gatherings offer people a chance to sing, socialise and unwind without fear of judgement or unwanted attention.For Gloria, however, the idea behind Glowing Corner is deeply personal. It grew out of the life and loss of her mother, Adoline D’Mello, who ran Tulip Flower Stores.Adoline was a lively, sociable woman who loved meeting people and singing. But after she became unwell, that world began to shrink. Conventional entertainment often revolved around food she could no longer freely enjoy, while outings to restaurants, movies and family gatherings became increasingly difficult, Gloria said.“As my mother’s caregiver, I realised that illness affects not just patients but their families as well. My mother passed away during the Covid-19 pandemic, before she turned 61, leaving me with a question: What could I do for others facing similar circumstances?” Gloria said.“When my mother fell ill, I realised there was little entertainment for people like her, those who were outgoing and lively but whose lives became restricted once they turned into patients. That is how Glowing Corner was born in 2021.”Since then, the initiative has found its footing, with Flash Jam sessions and women-only karaoke evenings emerging as popular offerings. Flash Jam brings people together to sing familiar songs, regardless of their musical ability.Gloria initially experimented with a more structured format, but soon realised informal group singing worked better. The idea was to make participation effortless.But singing is only part of what she hopes the gatherings can offer.Not everyone, Gloria said, has a ready circle of friends or the family support needed to step out and socialise. When women arrive alone, she discreetly arranges the seating to help them connect with others without making them feel conspicuous.Her experience of motherhood has shaped the gatherings too. Having once stayed home because she could not leave her children behind, Gloria understands the dilemma many mothers face. At her women-only karaoke evenings, children are welcome, allowing mothers to enjoy a break without having to choose between their own recreation and their responsibilities at home.The gatherings are deliberately kept small. For Gloria, their success is not measured by packed venues or profits.Sometimes, it is eight women arriving alone and leaving as friends. At other times, it is a mother getting an evening out without leaving her children behind.“People are suffering in different ways. Nobody shows it, and nobody wants to show it. But don’t we all deserve some fun?” she asked.
