Doha: Qatar's Best 14 Enter GVOM Season 3 Semis
Media Release
Pics: Eddie Sequeira
Doha, Jun 17: Qatar’s best 14 Mangalorean singers marched into the semi-finals of Gulf Voice of Mangalore (GVOM)-3 passing out with flying colours in the auditions held at the Asoka Hall of the Indian Cultural Centre here on Friday June 15 evening.
Though as per the GVOM rules only 6 singers each from male and female categories were to be selected for the semi-finals, there was a tie for the 5th and 6th places in the male category. Hence 6 female singers and 8 male singers qualified for the semi-finals to be held at the Al Ghazal Club on September 21.
Qatar’s famed singing couple Preema and Naveen Pinto topped the female and male categories respectively. While Nina Fernandes, Namita D’Souza, Eva Wilma Pinto, Caroline Aranha and Jovita Pereira were the other semi-finalists in the female category, Alphonse D’Silva, Vincent Fernandes, Remy D’Souza, Harry Correa, Wilson Mendonca, Santhosh Fernandes and Rony Fernandes will join Naveen in the semi-finals. The auditions were judged by well-known Konkani musician Norbert Pereira, famed singers Joyce Mascarenhas and Veena Pais.
Season 3 of Gulf Voice of Mangalore is being hosted by Qatar-based Mangalore Cultural Association (MCA).
The evening proceedings began with the playing of MCA anthem which was followed by welcome address by MCA president Harry Lobo. The auditions were officially set on roll by lighting the traditional lamp by MCA president Harry Lobo, vice-president Jason Quadros, MCA advisory committee members Felix Lobo and Joachim D’Souza, judges Veena Pais, Joyce Mascarenhas and Norbert Pereira. Veena Pais then presented the late Wilfy Rebimbus’ popular number ‘Konknne Ami Gavuyam’ in order to encourage the contestants and boost their moral ahead of the auditions.
The contestants were judged based on their voice culture, clarity of words, presentation, ability to maintain pitch and tempo. It was a fabulous evening as all the contestants were up to the challenge and indeed judges might agree that it was a close contest and choosing the Best-12 was tough. Finally Naveen and Preema Pinto were declared winners in the respective categories and were presented with a memento by Felix Lobo and Joachim D’Souza.
Once the auditions were over, judges were called on to the stage and were felicitated. Norbert Pereira addressed the gathering, shared his experience and provided insights into the pattern of judging.
MCA Secretary, Benjamin Rebeiro introduced the judges, MCA member Susan Rodrigues proposed the vote of thanks. Arthur Pais announced the name of the semi-finalists. MCA also presented the certificate of participation to each of the participants.
Sandeep Noronha was the compere for the auditions.
Mangalore Cultural Association will host the finals of Gulf Voice of Mangalore Season -3 in Qatar on October 19 this year.
Gulf Voice of Mangalore - Season 3