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Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)
Udupi, Oct 26: St Francis Xavier Church, Udyavar, emerged as the overall champion of the 21st Udupi diocese-level Konkani singing competition organised by ICYM Pangla under the aegis of St John the Evangelist Church, Pangla.
St John the Evangelist Church, Shankarpura, secured second place, while Holy Cross Church, Byndoor, bagged third place in the overall championship. The competition brought together talented singers from various parishes across the diocese of Udupi, providing a platform for young people to showcase their musical abilities and promote Konkani music and culture.
The competition was inaugurated by Fr Charles Menzes, deanery head Shirva deanery. ICYM Pangla president Viyon Mathias welcomed the gathering.
Addressing the gathering, parish priest Fr Dr Anil Prakash Castelino said the competition had grown by leaps and bounds over the past 21 years, providing a valuable platform for budding singers to showcase their talents. Thanking the parishioners for their continued support, he described the event as a humble initiative to give talented youngsters an opportunity to shine.
Congratulating participants from Byndoor to Ajekar, he encouraged them to pursue their passion and expressed hope that their voices would reach audiences across the world, making them international stars.
Fr Charles Menezes, head of Shirva deanery, said God wishes to use people's talents for the benefit of others and to bring glory to Him. Recalling his participation in the competition during his high school days, he highlighted the importance of the platform in nurturing young talent.
Congratulating the parishioners and ICYM members for their efforts, he noted that organising such a competition involved considerable responsibility. He encouraged all participants to give their best performances, reminding them that those who did not win were no less talented than the winners. He emphasised that participation and the opportunity to perform were equally important.
The panel of judges comprised Derrick Manoj Machado, Sonal Agnes Monteiro, Ashwin D'Costa, Roshan Crasta, Zeena Pereira and Alwyn Noronha Bajpe for various categories.
The valedictory ceremony was attended by Fr Denis D'Sa, PRO-diocese of Udupi; Fr Steevan D'Souza, chancellor of the diocese of Udupi; Fr Dr Anil Prakash Castelino, parish priest of Pangla; Fr Steevan Fernandes, director of ICYM Udupi diocese; and Fr Jessel Cutinho, assistant parish priest of Pangla.
Other dignitaries present included John Martis, vice-president of Pangla; Anand Melwyn D'Souza, secretary; Anitha D'Souza, animator; Jeevan Pereira, advisor; Delson Furtado, president of Shirva deanery ICYM; Viyon Mathias, president of ICYM Pangla; Brenol Martis, secretary; and Br Liston Gonsalves.
Addressing the gathering, Fr Denis D'Sa congratulated the ICYM team and the parish priest for organising the competition for 21 consecutive years. Appreciating the patience and professionalism demonstrated by the organisers, he said the initiative played a significant role in preserving Konkani music and culture.
He stressed the importance of parents and teachers in nurturing young talent and encouraged participants to learn to accept failures with a positive attitude.
"Failure is not the end of the road; it is only a bend in the road. No one becomes an artist overnight. A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. Practice is the only mantra," he said.
He urged the participants to make the best use of the platform to develop their talent and pursue their passion with determination. Those aspiring to turn their passion into a profession should continue moving forward without looking back, he added.
Fr Steevan D'Souza congratulated ICYM Pangla for organising the competition and described music as a gift from God. He encouraged participants to use their musical talents to praise the Lord through choir singing and other forms of musical service.
"Music brings us together. Today, it has brought together people from various parishes across the diocese," he said, highlighting the unifying power of music.
Shiny Asma Saldanha, the first woman pilot from the diocese of Udupi, was felicitated during the programme in recognition of her achievement. Addressing the gathering, she said trophies might recognise a person's performance but did not necessarily measure their talent. She emphasised that achieving anything begins with a dream and encouraged participants to pursue their ambitions with confidence.
St Francis Xavier Church, Udyavar, and Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva, were felicitated for having the highest number of participants in the competition.
Fidel Alva, vice-president of ICYM Pangla, welcomed the gathering, while Brenol Martis proposed the vote of thanks at the valedictory ceremony. Brenol Martis also proposed the vote of thanks during the inaugural programme.
Results:
Overall Championship
- First place: St Francis Xavier Church, Udyavar
- Second place: St John the Evangelist Church, Shankarpura
- Third place: Holy Cross Church, Byndoor
Below 10 - Boys - Solo
First - Ruhan Neal Crasta, Udyavar
Second - Sharwin Rebeiro, Gangolli
Third - Sohan Dias, Udyavar
Below 10 - Girls - Solo
First - Sweedal Andrade, Udyavar
Second - Philia Johanna D’Souza, Shirva
Third - Leora Rebeiro, Byndoor
10-15 - Boys - Solo
First - Ayush Regan Menezes, Pangla
Second - Suhan Loyd D’Silva, Perampalli
Third - Aaron Fernandes, Udupi
10-15 - Girls - Solo
First - Siona Mendonca, Pangla
Second - Fiona Quadrous, Udyavar
Third - Leona Olivera, Perampalli
15-35 - Men - Solo
First - Alwin Rodrigues, Byndoor
Second - Darren D’Souza, Pangla
Third - Rion Aaron Mathias, Thottam
15-35 - Women - Solo
First - Jiya Alisha Mendonca - Pangla
Second - Shavi Aishal Lobo, Perampalli
Third - Silvynia Anithraj Fernandes, Udyavar
35-60 - Men - Solo
First - Shailesh Pinto, Udyavar
Second - Grynal D’Mello, Shirva
Third - Robinson Menezes, Shirva
35-60 - Women - Solo
First - Shaila Fernandes, Udupi
Second - Shalini Quadrous, Udyavar
Third - Melita Lydia D Almeida, Udyavar
60 and above - Men - Solo
First - Joseph Pinto, Udupi
Second - Joseph Mendonca, Udyavar
Third - Jerald Rodrigues, Shirva
60 and above - Women - Solo
First - Clara Fernandes, Udyavar
Second - Florence Flavia James Miranda, Pangla
Third - Mable D’Souza, Moodubelle
15-35 - Duet
First - Alwin Rodrigues and Melisha Fernandes, Byndoor
Second - Conrad Quadrous and Silvinia Anithraj Fernandes, Udyavar
Third - Darren D’Souza and Jiya Alisha Mendonca, Pangla
35-60 - Duet
First - Shailesh Pinto and Shalini Quadrous, Udyavar
Second - Shaila Fernandes and Joel Sequiera, Udupi
Third - Noel D’Silva and Norin Dias, Pangla
60 and above - Duet
First - Joseph Mendonca and Jeneview Flavia Dsouza, Udyavar
Second - Charles Quadrous and Matilda Quadrous, Moodubelle
Third - Bernard Mathias and Flavia Menezes, Pangla
Below 10 - Group
First - Holy Cross Church, Byndoor
Second - Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva
Third - St Francis Xavier Church, Udyavar
10-15 years - Group
First - Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi
Second - St John the Evangelist Church, Pangla
Third - St Francis Xavier Church, Udyavar
15-35 years - Group
First - Holy Cross Church, Byndoor
Second - St Francis Xavier Church, Udyavar
Third - Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi
35-60 years - Group
First - Holy Cross Church, Byndoor
Second - Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi
Third - Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva
60 and above - Group
First - St Francis Xavier Church, Udyavar
Second - Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva
Third - St John the Evangelist Church, Shirva
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