Daijiworld Media Network
Doha, Oct 14 : The final countdown has begun for 'Gulf Voice of Mangalore', the biggest reality show in the history of Konkani music. Getting better with each season, the third season under the able leadership of Mangalore Cultural Association, is now all set to create history. The grand finale will be held in Doha on Friday October 19.
The million dollar question, not only in the Gulf countries, but also back in India and other parts of the world is "Who will be the winner this time?"
For answer, one has to wait for another six days, but Daijiworld, being an exclusive media partner for the show, brings you brief introduction of the twelve finalists.
Doha :
Preema Pinto
Preema Mariet Pinto, hailing from Siddakatte, Mangalore is the only contestant in this season who entered the finals of GVOM for the second consecutive season. She was the runner-up in Gulf Voice of Mangalore Season 2 held in Dubai, in the year 2010.
Housewife and mother of two kids, Preema's husband Naveen Pinto too is a good singer, who reached the finals of Soad -3 International held in Doha during May 2012.
Konkan Myna Meena Rebimbus is her favourite singer.
A post graduate in computer science, Preema says, "I am truly blessed that since childhood my Papa, who helped me to take my first few steps while learning to walk, is also my music teacher. He has crafted the art of singing in me. The support of my entire family was instrumental in honing my singing talent. My brothers and sister too have sung in Konkani albums and Konkani devotional songs."
"As compared to 2010 GVOM, I am more matured now and I have worked hard on ironing out the creases /minor faults and polishing my singing to prove myself second to none. I firmly believe that the love and valuable prayers of my diehard fans and loved ones in Qatar and back home are with me, and this has boosted my will further to succeed and carve out my name in golden letters within the our very own KONKANI SINGING WORLD!"
Remy D’Souza
Hailing from Katipalla, Mangalore diocese, Remy D'Souza is working as a telecom engineer with Nokia Siemens Networks in Doha, Qatar.
Remy's wife Namitha is also a good singer. The couple is blessed with two children.
"I have been more of a musician than a singer. The singing bug bit me quite late, when GVOM season II was announced. People in Qatar who heard my voice gave me ample encouragement. My knowledge of music coupled with ample opportunities helped me turn myself into a singer worth listening to. As a Tiatr musician I was highly influenced by Goan music. But as a singer I find myself more comfortable with the Carnatic style. I have been training with a Carnatic guru and plan to achieve grades and become a classical singer irrespective of the result of Gulf Voice. Other than Konkani songs, I like Ghazals and Hindi movie songs. I am a tenor in the choir and occasionally sequence music for Konkani songs," says Remy.
Bahrain :
Teena D'Souza
25-year-old Teena D'Souza is a nurse by profession. Married to Roshan, Teena hails from Kateel, Mangalore diocese.
"Active participation at church choir, school and hospital (Father Muller Hospital) helped me improve my singing," says Teena.
'Ahimsa' by Wilfy Rebimbus is her favourite song. 'Konkan Kogull' Wilfy Rebimbus and Melwin Peris are her favourite singers.
Sydney Correa
Electrical power engineer Sydney Correa hails from Kallianpur parish, which now comes under Udupi diocese.
"Wilfy Rebimbus and Meen Rebimbus, I always reckon them as the legends of Konkani music. I have also enjoyed the singing of Melwin Peris, Claud and Anita Samson," says Sydney.
Married to Orine, the couple have two children.
"Singing is my passion since childhood days. I used to take part and win prizes in school and college-level competitions. I have also won prizes in inter-parish competitions," says Sydney.
Oman :
Reena D'Souza
29-year-old Reena Shareen D’Souza, hailing from Bejai (and now Bendur) is a BBM graduate from St Aloysius College. Reena is married to Mahesh.
Reena has participated in many cultural programmes at the school and college levels. She has been an active choir member of Bejai St Francis Xavier Church under the leadership of the (late) Prof Benett Pinto and participated in inter- parish competitions organized by the Konkani Natak Sabha.
‘Mog Tuzo Kitlo Ashelom’ by Konkan Kogull, the late Wilfy Rebimbus is her favourite song.
Wilfy Rebimbus and Konkan Myna Meena Rebimbus are her favourite singers
"I thank God, my parents for their blessings and my sisters, Dr Teena and Dr Queena for their encouragement and help. Also, one of the countless blessings of the Almighty is my husband Mahesh who has stood by me like a rock, without whose persuasion and support I would not have been able to reach the finals of GVOM-3. A special thanks to Apolinaris D’Souza and Oswald D’Souza for their guidance and training," says Reena
Morvine Quadras
A native of Barkur under Udupi diocese, 25-year-old Morvine is an engineer from St Joseph Engineering College, Vamanjoor, Mangalore.
Morvine has sung “Alleluia” in Eric’s Tururututu and entrance hymn in “Viole Vine”. He has
won several prizes and trophies in singing competitions in school and college.
He is an active member of “The Expressions” and Church Choir group, Barkur, and also of Ghala and Ruwi church choir groups.
Morvine has also won “Muscat Kogul 2011” in MCCP singing competition.
"I am performing in my own band called “Band Aria” with professional guitarist and music director Robert D’Souza’ from Karwar (qualification from Los Angeles Music Academy - LAMA, America who has given composed music for Bollywood, Kannada and Konkani songs), keyboardist Zino Saldanha (GVOM Muscat semi-finalist) from Chikmagalur and female lead singer Astrin D'Silva (GVOM Muscat semi-finalist), performing in various functions in Muscat," says Morvine.
"Kenna Kenna" from Kevin Misquith's album is his favourite song.
Adolf Jaytilak and Babita Pinto are his favourite singers.
Kuwait :
Lavina D'Souza
32-year-old BEd and MA degree holder Lavina is a music and dance teacher by profession. Hailing from Kayyar parish of Kasargod district, Mangalore diocese, Lavina has participated in various singing competions like inter-school / college and inter-parish and won many prizes. She has also rendered her voice in seven albums.
A trained classical singer, Lavina's favourite singers are Meena Rebimbus and Anitha Samson, Rony D'Cunha and Dr Prashant Raj.
"I want to become great singer...I want to create my own identity in Konkani singing," says Lavina.
Orson D'Souza
A most eligible bachelor born in Kuwait, 31-year-old Orson is from Mulky but is currently residing in Manipal.
He is a graduate in laboratory health sciences from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences.
He loves to listen to Konkani music, specially of Wilfy Rembibus, Henry D’Souza and others
He started singing at the age of 5 and took part in all school functions, before leaving to India during the Gulf War. He continued his passion for singing while in India at Little Rock School, Brahmavar and then at the Air Force School in Bangalore. He was a part of the church choir and Hosanna Youth (during his college days) in Bangalore, where he was noticed for his tenor voice.
"I had always sung in English or in Hindi, but never in Konkani. I developed an affinity towards my mother tongue when I came to Kuwait in 2004, thanks to the various Mangalorean communities spread across the region. Thus began my quest to learn, speak and also sing in Konkani. And my biggest break was in 2010 when I qualified for the semi-finals of GVOM Season 2. But I did not stop there," says Orson.
He considers Vinay Lewis, GVOM winner of 2008 and Kevin Misquith as his inspiration.
"This GVOM 2012, I would like to dedicate it to the entire Mangalorean community in Kuwait, my family, specially my dad who is just recovering, and most of all to my granny Mai Gracy D’Silva, who taught me Konkani!" he says.
His favorite singer is Adolf Jayathilak. He has no favorite song as he believes that all songs are penned with dedication, hardwork, emotion and inspiration.
"Live life to the fullest... And cherish every moment of it!" is his recipe for life.
UAE :
Sabita Maria Mathias
Hailing from Shirva, Sabitha who resides in Udupi is an engineer in electronics and communications.
"My biggest achievement has been the blessed opportunity to learn music in the right way from Joseph Moras (Melodia Voice Studio)," says Sabitha.
Apart from singing, she is a talented sportsperson. She has represented Udupi district in junior athletics and junior national volleyball. She has also captained the VTU ladies volleyball team in the south zone inter-university tournament. She also holds the distinction of having received the Best Cadet award of the NCC-Karnataka and Goa Contingent.
'Dream Boy' is her favourite Konkani song. Her favourite singers are Wilfy Rebimbus, Jerome D’Souza and P H Pinto. Amongst the female singers, she loves to listen to Babita and Meena Rebimbus.
Sabitha's thoughts on singing - "I believe singing is an art and a healthy dose of the right education, regular practice and dedication is a must. Keep singing and stay healthy!"
Jeevan Edward Vas
33-year-old Jeevan is a BCom garduate. Native of Ujire (Beltangady taluk), Jeevan was also a semi-finalist in GVOM 2010. He has been a student of Melodia since October 2010, a member of Emirates Airline choir and has also won prizes in school and college competitions.
"Mojya Kudinthlya Shirani" is Jeevan's favourite song.
The late Ivan Noronha and Babita are his favourite singers
"I have a dream to go on a world tour to promote Konkani music," says Jeevan.
Saudi Arabia:
Shallet D'Silva
Shallet D’Silva, originally from Bendore, Mangalore, is a resident of Udupi. An MSc in mathematics, Shallet is a teacher in Multinational School, Riyadh
She has won prizes mainly in duet or group singing in Konkani Natak Sabha competitions and participated and won prizes in inter-school singing competitions for teachers in Mangalore. She has been an active member of the Bendore choir for many years.
She has sung in many devotional CDs by Fr Clement Mascarenhas and Fr Valerian Mendonca, Fr Maxim D’Souza, Fr Lopez and others (mainly as an alto singer).
Her favourite Konkani songs are mostly those composed by Wilfy Rebimbus (for their meaningful lyrics). Claud D’Souza, Rony D’Cunha, Meena Rebimbus are her favourite singers.
"I am participating in the competition mainly to grow from the experience that I will be gaining," says Shallet.
Roshan Philip Rodrigues
38-year-old Roshan is an engineer (polymers, specilaized polyolifins) by profession. He hails from Madanthyar.
Apart from singing he plays the guitar. He was active member in choir back in Madanthyar church.
'Kogul Gaitha Lagshilya...' sung by Meena Rebimbus is his favourite song.
Ivan, Rony, Meena Aparna are his favourite singers.
Also see:
Saudi Arabia : Gulf Voice Finalists - Shallet Dsilva and Roshan Rodrigues
Riyadh Sep.29: The semi-final round of the Gulf Voice of Mangalore Season 3 proved every bit to be an entertaining as well as a nail-biting contest, at the end of which Roshan Philip Rodrigues Madantyar (Chint tam sadan) and Shallet D’Silva Bendur (Dees they burgyaponale) were declared the Voice of Arabia...MORE
UAE : Gulf Voice Finalists - Sabitha Mathias and Edward Vas
Dubai, Sep 28: In a scintillating contest that saw some of the voices of UAE vie for a spot in the finals of 'Gulf Voice of Mangalore - 3', Sabitha Mathias of Udupi emerged victorious among the women contestants and Jeevan Vas of Ujire among the men. The two beat their fellow contestants in the semi-final round held here on Friday Septmeber 28 at the Gems...MORE
Kuwait : Gulf Voice Finalists - Lavina D'Souza and Orson D'Souza
Kuwait, Sep 22: After a nail-biting Kuwait semi-final contest for the coveted title of 'Gulf Voice of Mangalore - Season 3', Konkani world's topmost reality show, Lavina D'Souza and Orson D'Souza have qualified for the finals. The semi-final was held at American International School here on Friday September 21 evening...MORE
Bahrain : Gulf Voice Finalists - Tina D'Souza and Sydney Correa
Bahrain, Sep 23: It was Tina D souza who walked away with award for the female category for her scintillating performance with the song ‘Ahimsa’ composed my Melvyn Peris.
Sydney Correa’s super performance with ‘ chandrak pavoytalom’ the famous track of Melvyn Peris fetched him the top spot and award in the male category.
Both Sydney and Tina will be travelling to Doha to compete in the Finale on 19th October 2012... MORE
Oman : Gulf Voice Finalists - Morvine Quadras and Reena Shareen D Souza
Muscat, Sep 22: Morvine Quadras and Reena Shareen D Souza, were selected to the finals at Qatar which will be held in the month of October 2012. The Main Hall of Sts. Peter and Paul church was packed with music enthusiasts. Certainly it was a delightful battle of singing talents for the twelve semifinalists, six men and six ladies, who were selected at the preliminary rounds competition of the Gulf Voice of Mangalore....MORE
Doha : Gulf Voice Finalists - Preema Pinto and Remy D'Souza
Doha, Sep 22: Enchanting Preema Pinto and melodious Remy D’Souza have moved one step closer to realizing their long-cherished dream of becoming the best singers of Mangalorean origin in the gulf countries. As Konkani’s most entertaining and equally eloquent compere CGS Taccode announced the names of the toppers in the male and female category of the first semi-finals of the third edition of Konkani’s greatest reality show Gulf Voice...MORE