Report: Ajith Peter Dsouza
Pics: Deepak Paladka
Daijiworld Media Network
Dubai, Nov 15: Gulf Konkani Music awards, initated by Little Flowers Mukamar(LFM), ), an association of parishioners of Mukamar (under Udupi diocese) spread across the UAE, culminated with a spledid event during their fourth anniversary on November 14 at India Club, Oud Metha Road, Dubai.
The award for Best Lyricist was bestowed to Arthur Pereira, Omzoor (UAE), ,Best Singer Female was given to Preema D'Souza (UAE), while Best Singer Male award was bagged by Rony D’Cunha (Kuwait); and the album ‘Milan Mogachen’ by Lancy Henry Moras, KSA won the title of Best Album .
In a laudable effort to promote Konkani music in the Gulf, Little Flowers Mukamar had instituted the unique 'Desert Konkani Music Awards' The awards, first announced four months ago on daijiworld.com, are exclusively for Gulf-based artistes basically from South Canara and Udupi districts' Konkani speaking denominations residing in the Gulf during the release of their albums. They are meant to encourage the Konkani people who reside in Gulf to keep the flame of Konkani alive by their artistic contribution in the field of music.
While several applications/nominations received from all the GCC countries, the judges, after careful scrutiny and much deliberation had shortlisted the top three nominees in the following categories:
Best Lyricist: Late George Pinto, Aikal (Kuwait); Wilfred R Pangla, (Oman); and Arthur Pereira, Omzoor (UAE).
Best Singer Female: Rovina D’Souza (UAE); Preema D'Souza (UAE), and Nirmala Goveas (Oman).
Best Singer Male: Rony D’Cunha (Kuwait); Apolinaris D’Souza, (Oman); and Rathan Castelino,) (UAE)
Best Music Album: Vincent Fernandes, UAE (Album: Mogachi Lahran Vol-07); Gratian D’Souza, Kuwait (Album: Swapna Sundari); Lancy Henry Moras, KSA (Album: Milan Mogachen).
Among these Arthur Pereira, Omzoor (UAE), Preema D'Souza (UAE), Rony D’Cunha (Kuwait); and Lancy Henry Moras, KSA for the album ‘Milan Mogachen’ won the title of Best Lyricist, Best Femaile Singer, Best Male Singer and Best Album awards respectively. Awards were conferred by Stephen Nazareth, President of LFM and Chief Guests for the event, Walter D’Almeida, Michael Dsouza and Walter Nandalike in a glittering ceremony.
In his address Michael Dsouza stessed the need of quality and variety in the Konkani albums while Walter D’Almeida wished success for all the Konakni artists and musicians. Walter Nandalike praised LFM for their support for humanitarian and cultural causes. While he hailed it as one of the prominent associations in Dubai, striving to uphold the values of service to society by doing number of works aimed to help others, he applauded their gesture to support the Konkani artistes materialised through these unique Gulf Konkani Music Awards. He also exhorted them to continue conferring these awards annually or biennially.
The colorful event began with the President of LFM Stephen Nazareth’s welcome address and lighting of the lamp. With the enthusiastic members of the assoication singing the theme song of LFM the programme began to roll with gusto and fun at the hands of Dony and Asha who compered the event creatively keeping the audience glued like magicians using microphone for a wand.
All the participants and nominees and album producers whose applications were received for the title were felicitated. Joshal Dsouza who represented U.A.E and won Gulf Voice of Mangalore title recently and Vincent Rodrigues who represented U.A.E. at the finals were also honoured by the assoication. Ajith Peter Dsouza , who won four awards for his album ‘Tujye Vengenth’ in the 5th Konkani Global Music Awards by Mandd Sobhann was also felicitated at the event.
Music for the event was led by Arun Carlo and team while well known singers of U.A.E. Preema, Maria, Joshal Sweeda Dsouza, Vincent Fernandes, Godwin Dsouza, Vincent Rodrigues,Lancy Noronha, Jackson Dsouza and Harish Sherigar kept the audience spell bound with their beautiful singing. The Nominees, Nirmala Goveas (Oman),Gratian D’Souza( Kuwait), Lancy Henry Moras( KSA) and Apolinaris D’Souza (Oman) also rendered melodious songs at the request of the audience. Award winner Rony D’Cunha (Kuwait) mesmerized the listeners with his foot tapping numbers.Everyone present enjoyed Bollywood –style dance performance presented by Feat Beat Group, choreographed by Arun Lobo.
The multi talented couple Asha and Dony correa were honoured in a unique way at the event for their contribution towards music and drama. While addressing the crowd Dayan Dsouza,adviser of LFM, hailed the couple for their active involvement into number of cultural activities in Tulu,Kannada and Konkani. They were fecilitated by James Mendonca, Harish Sherigar, Ashok Purohit, Walter Nandalike, Lancy Dsouza with mementos and shawl.Acknowledging the honour the couple thanked the organizers ,well wishers and supporters and promised to continue their contribution to cultural activites. All the sponsors and media persons were feliciated with unique mementoes.
LFM made sure that all the ingredients were in place to make it the most enjoyed and memorable event. Sumptuous buffet was relished by all those who present while the the songs at the venue kept the entertainment mood soaring. The programme went on till evening, striking a right chord with the audience who witnessed the first ever Kokani Music Award ceremony in Gulf, implemented with fastion by energetic members of the association to perfection.