Daijiworld Media Network - Bahrain
Bahrain, Nov 8 : With just a couple of days to go for the grand finale of the fifth season of the prestigious Gulf Voice of Mangalore (GVOM), hectic preparations are under way by the organisers, even as the finalists gear up for the ultimate challenge. The Konkani reality show started in the year 2008, thanks to the thoughts and courageous step by two veterans from Kuwait, Lawrence Pinto and Louis Rodrigues, who created a platform for budding singers to exhibit their talent in the six Gulf countries where Mangalureans reside.
In the first season, only five Gulf nations pariticipated, and the title was not divided into male and female, but the unexpected success of the reality show prompted the organisers to invite Saudi Arabia as the sixth nation, and also to include male and female categories with Rs 1 lac cash prize for each.
The event, held once in two years, was hosted for the first time in the year 2008 in Kuwait, and it then spread to all other GCC countries in the next seasons. While season 2 was hosted in 2010 in Dubai by Mangalore Konkans, season 3 was held in 2012 in Doha by MCA, and season 4 in 2014 in Muscat by MCCP. Season 5 this year is being organized in Bahrain by Konkani Kutam in association with Saudi Arabia Angann Konkenchem.
The winners so far :
2008 : Vinay Lewis (Kuwait)
2010 : Ivan Fernandes (Dubai) and Gladys Lorena (Kuwait)
2012 : Orson D'Souza (Kuwait) and Reena D'Souza (Muscat)
2014 : Morvine Quadros (Kuwait) and Joshal D'Souza (Dubai)
The 2016 finalists are as follows :
Bahrain :
Christopher Roshan Lobo (Kulshekar, Mangaluru)
Christopher, son of the late Peter and Caroline Lobo from Kulshekar has been residing in Bahrain since 1998. Married to Olivia, he has a 9-year-old son. "Listening music, singing, playing cricket, reading and surfing the internet are my hobbies," says Christopher. "GVOM is a great platform for budding singers to render thier voices in front of GCC audience. I have learnt a lot from fellow singers and judges during auditions and semi-final rounds," he says.
Teena Roshan D'Souza (Kateel, Mangaluru) :
A resident of Bahrain since 2011, Teena is married to Roshan D'Souza and has a three-year-old daughter. She is a nurse by profession and apart from singing, loves dancing, acting and reading books. For her, singing is the 'melody of life' that helps her connect with herself. "GVOM is a stage that provides me an opportunity to explore my passion of singing," she says.
Doha :
Clement Fernandes (Taccode, Mangaluru)
Son of Cyril and Irene Fernandes, Clement discovered his singing talent at the young age of 7 when he won the first prize in a contest. He has trained in Hindustani classical music, and apart from singing, enjoys writing poems and playing the harmonium. He has been in Qatar for the past one year. He says GVOM is a platform for him to showcase his talent.
Carol Sonia D'Souza (Moodubelle, Udupi)
Carol moved to Doha in January 2015 after her marriage with Avinash D'Souza, also from Moodubelle, and is currently working as a business analyst. She has had a passion for music and singing right from childhood and has been a part of several choirs in Konkani, English and Kannada in various places including Qatar, all of which helped her train her voice. "Due to academics and professional career, I could not pursue my passion to a higher level, but now I have a great platform in GVOM-5 which will also help me earn recognition in the Konkani music industry," she says.
Kuwait :
Glen Vas (Bondel, Mangaluru)
An accountant by profession, Glen is the son of John Elias and Mable Vas from Bondel, Mangaluru. Glen has been working in Kuwait since March 2015. He loves to travel and is fond of football. He likes to experiment with different forms of music. His biggest inspiration is Sonu Nigam and he looks up to Rony D'Cunha when it comes to Konkani music. "It was my mom's dream to see me sing on a big stage like GVOM. Through GVOM I want to use my talent and recognition to serve the Konkani community so that I become an inspiration for young talents," he says.
Joylene Gonsalves (Kallianpur, Udupi)
A resident of Kuwait since 2005, Joylene is married to John Kiran Gonsalves from Kundapur and the couple has two sons aged 17 and 12. Her hobbies include listening to music, dancing, acting and cooking. Despite her busy schedule of managing work and family life, she finds time to develop her talent and sings for the choir. "I am blessed to have singing as God's gift to me. I have tremendous support from my family espeically from my siblings. After marriage I continued to sing with the support of my husband and my sons," she says. "It is a long cherished dream of my dear and near ones that I participate in GVOM. My greatest achievement would be to win the hearts of all those who have been supporting and encouraging me all these years."
Oman :
Prakash Alwyn Dsouza (Bendore, Mangaluru)
A resident of Oman for the past four years, Prakash is married to Sunita and has two children aged 13 and 10. He enjoys music, games and sports, particularly motor racing, in which he has won over a hundred trophies at state and national levels in India. He has been passionate about singing and listening to music since childhood and has played the drums for Konkani shows for almost 25 years. He has also lent his voice to a few Konkani albums. "GVOM is a big platform for singing in the Gulf. I am very happy that I have got a chance to sing in this contest. I want to prove myself as a good singer through GVOM," says Prakash.
Inez Shubha Lobo (Anjelore, Mangaluru)
Inez has been living in Oman since 2007 and has a loving family in her husband and three children. She has been working as a quality assurance officer from 9 years. She loves reading and is interested in soulful music. "Classical music touches my heart. I believe that music is the only language that is understood by all," she feels. GVOM has given her the right opportunity to explore and prove her talent. "Though I love music nobody really appreciated it. But I never gave up. Now at the age of 49, I am training in Carnatic music. I want to be recognized as a person who never gives up. I want to perform on stage - the world over!"
Saudi Arabia :
Ralph Paul D'Souza (Milagres, Mangaluru)
Married to Sony Laetitia Menezes, Ralph has been residing in Saudi Arabia since February 2015 and is currently working as an overseas recruitment officer. Besides being blessed with a good voice, he plays different musical instruments and is also a lyricist who composes songs. His ultimate aim is to win the GVOM finale.
Pramila Rodrigues (Udupi)
A teacher by profession, Pramila has been living in Saudi Arabia since 1989. Daughter of Benedict and Mary Rodrigues, she is married to Richard Rodrigues and has a son and a daughter. She is fond of singing, reading, gardening and shopping. Her passion for singing goes back to her school days, and she plans to continue singing in future also. "Singing has always been my passion and I think GVOM is the right platform to showcase one's talent and love towards Konkani music. I also hope to increase people's interest in Konkani music via this platform," says Pramila.
UAE :
Robin Sequeira (Valencia, Mangaluru)
Son of Richard an Florin Sequeira, Robin is married to Carol and has a son. He has been living in the UAE for a year and is working as a logistic coordinator. While singing is his passion, Robin also likes acting and fishing. "I aim to win the GVOM title," he says.
Sabita Maria Mathias (Shirva, Udupi)
Sabita has been residing in Dubai since 2009. Daughter of the late Robert Mathias and Ida Mathias who lives in Udupi, Sabita works for an aviation services company. Besides being passionate about singing since childhood, she likes watching Korean drama series, working out at the gym and reading. She was part of the school choir and even served as 'singing minister' in her school student council. "GVOM is a blessed platform for budding singers - a stage to perform our talent. I want to spread awareness on healthy singing through this contest," says Sabita.
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