Pics: Meryick D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)
Mangaluru, May 31: After months of closely fought rounds that some top quality singing, Robin Sequeira was crowned 'Rai Kogull' (King Nightingale) and Jacqueline Fernandes the 'Rani Kogull' (Queen Nightingale) in 'Soad-4, the Konkani television singing contest telecast exclusively on Daijiworld 24x7 channel.
The result of the 10-month long Konkani TV singing contest, organized by Mandd Sobhann, was announced at 'Chefs' in Mannagudda here on Sunday May 31.
The top four chosen from the final ten were Robin Sequeira, Ashwin D'Costa (male category) for 'Rai Kogull' title and Jacqueline Fernandes and Smerita Pinto (female category) for 'Rani Kogull'.
The result was arrived at on the basis of the marks given by judges and voting by viewers of Daijiworld 24x7. The total marks were obtained from the final three rounds.
Robin Sequeira and Jacqueline Fernandes received 80% of total votes from viewers.
Robin Sequeira was crowned 'Rai Kogull' with 273 points and Jacqueline Fernandes as 'Rani Kogull' with 269 points.
Apart from being crowned, Robin and Jacqueline each received cash prize of Rs 50,000, gift hampers and vintage wine bottles.
It was nail-biting finish in the female category, with the competition between Jacqueline and Smerita Pinto so close that after three rounds of singing, the points difference between the two was just 0.5.
The runners-up Ashwin D'Costa with 267.5 points and Smerita Pinto with 268.5 points received Rs 25,000 cash and gift hampers each.
The awards and prizes were given away by noted music composer and singer Sidhanath Buyao, president of Karnataka Konkani sahitya academy Roy Castelino, president of Mandd Sobhann Louis Pinto, Mandd Sobhann gurkar Eric Ozario, musician Richard Monteiro and director Daijiworld 24x7channel Lawrence D'Souza.
Speaking after being crowned, an elated Robin Sequeira said, "I thank God for the crown. I am grateful to my family and wife. My child has been a lucky jewel for me. I thank the organizers of Soad-4. I am really grateful to the viewers and fans for the support. I request everyone to support new talents in the coming years."
Jacqueline Fernandes expressing her joy with tears said, "I cannot believe that I have won the contest. It was really a tough compeition. I thank Smerita Pinto for giving me a tough challenge. I am grateful to my mother for all the love and support. I dedicate this award to her. I thank my father for being my guide and critic and helping me improve my singing. I thank my sister for the support and all the viewers and fans for choosing me as 'Rani Kogull'. I also thank Mandd Sobhann."
Neeshma D'Souza, winner of 'Guess the winner' prize received Rs 10,000. A total number of 303 songs were sung in the competition, out of which 293 songs were new.
Arun Raj compered the programme.