Dubai: Karnataka Sangha Sharjah Announces Finalists of Singing Contest
News & Pics: Shodhan Prasad
Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai
Dubai, May 1: The Karnataka Sangha Sharjah concluded the preliminary singing contest organized as part of its ninth anniversary at Fortune Plaza, Ghusais with an overwhelming number of contestants turning up.
Kannadigas from all over UAE flocked to the venue to participate in the event that saw the rendition of a variety of Kannada filmy songs, folk songs, patriotic songs and melodious poetry. The contest was open to all Kannadigas above 18 years of age and the participants had to sing without the support of any background music.
Alwyn Mendonca, Krishna Prasad Rao and Vinay Adiga were the winners of the preliminary round of the singing competition in the men’s category. In the women’s category the winners were Asha Fernandes, Bharathi Acharya and Jasmine Sanctis.
Well-known personalities in the field of music were the panel of judges for the competition and they included Herman Lewis, MD of Radio Spice, 105.4 FM, who is also a singer, Raviraj Tantry, a well-known singer, composer and winner of several music competitions in UAE and Vijayalaxmi, teacher at Symphony Music Institute, Ajman.
The programme commenced at around 10 am and was inaugurated by eminent dignitaries Pravin Shetty of Fortune Group of Hotels, Harish Sherigar of Acme Building Materials, Joseph Mathias of Merit Freight, BG Mohandas, former president, Karnataka Sangha Dubai and MD of Gulf Kannadiga.com., Herman Lewis, Raviraj Tantry, Vijayalaxmi, patron of Karnataka Sangha Sharjah, Mark Denis, president Mohammad Shahada, general secretary, Dinesh Achar, entertainment secretary, Uttam Menezes who was also the master of ceremony, Vishwanath Shetty, co-ordinator and assistant entertainment secretary and other members of Karnataka Sangha Sharjah.
Harish Sherigar in his melodious voice gave a kick-start to the programme with a Kannada number, which was appreciated by the entire audience.
A minute's silence was observed to pray for the departed soul of spiritual guru Satya Sai Baba who passed away a few days ago.
The atmosphere of the venue suited the programme and it created the right ambience for the singers who enthusiastically took part in the competition making the job tough for the judges.
The light and sound system gave the appearance of a famous TV show hosted in any of the channels, thanks to the effors put in by the organizers. The credit also goes to one of the sponsors Fortune Plaza Hotel. Sarvotham Shetty, president of Karnataka Sangha Abu Dhabi arrived at a later stage and gave a brief speech in support of the participating contestants.
Snacks and beverages were served throughout the programme with the help of the hotel staff.
Men participants outnumbered the women but on the whole the women participants gave a tougher challenge for the judges. Three each among men and women were selected for the best of three for the final round to be held at Ramada Hotel Ajman during the ninth annual day celebration programme on May 13, wherein the winners will be crowned ‘Mayura Raja’ and ‘Mayura Rani’.
The finalists will also perform and will be allowed to use karaoke system during the final session.
The hosts picked a chit from the winners’ list for the couple duet singing competition to be held during the final annual celebration and chose the duet couples. These couples will select some of the beautiful numbers from Kannada songs and present it during the final session wherein the ‘Mayura Raja’ and ‘Mayura Rani’ will be adjudged in front of the dignitaries.
All the participants were presented with certificates.
Vincent Fernandes of Mogacha Lara, musician and composer of seven CDs, who was present during the competition agreed to be the mentor for all the winners in grooming them for the final competition, while Herman Lewis of Radio Spice announced a special trophy to the final winning couple which will be given away during the annual programme.
Ganesh Rai, former president of Karnataka Sangha Sharjah, took over the second part of the programme and concluded with the vote of thanks. He introduced all the guests, Mayura Awardee and also briefed on the annual celebration scheduled for May 13, requesting all Kannadigas to witness the grand celebration.