Pics by Sunil Crasto
Daijiworld Media Network - Doha
Doha, Oct 1: Dishing out fantabulous and heart-winning performance, Qatar’s sensational Melody Queen Carol D’Souza and sonorous, Prince of Romance Clement Fernandes bagged the ticket for the finals 5th edition of Konkani’s greatest reality show Gulf Voice of Mangalore, to be held in Bahrain on November 11. It was not just the performance of the eventual winners but each of the semi-finalists that kept the audience glued to their seats till the end at the Regency Halls here on Friday September 30. The programme was organized by Mangalorea Cultural Association (MCA), a synonym for quality entertainment and best organized programmes in Qatar.
Qatar has been on the podium of Konkani’s Greatest Reality Show Gulf Voice of Mangalore in each of its 4 editions held so far, missing the winning crown by a whisker each time. But this time around, two young and sensational singers Carol and Clement seem to have made up their mind to fetch Gulf Voice of Mangalore title for the first time, in both, male and female category. This is what might have been the feeling of every Konkani music lover who had gathered to witness the semi-finals of the 5th season of Qatar chapter of Gulf Voice of Mangalore. As melodious Carol D’Souza and enchanting Clement Fernandes were announced winners by one of the most eloquent and finest comperes of Konkani Ronald Olivera Padukone, the roofs of Regency Halls came down with the thunderous applause of the full-house Friday audience who were witness to one of the toughest and best GVOM semi-finals ever here. If first round was fantastic yet gruelling, the second round with Top-3 was nail-biting affair, making the job of the experienced jury. Yet as they say, two best voices of the evening won but not before being tested and pushed to the wall by other contestants who were equally good and fabulous, making it a memorable evening for the jury, organizers and the audience.
The much expected evening began with the anthem of MCA rendered by its president Arthur Pais along with the members of the Executive Committee. This was followed with the escorting of judges of the evening Fr Clement Mascarenhas, Wilson Olivera and Suraj Noronha and 13 semi-finalists to the dais by MCA president Arthur Pais, vice-president Aloysius D’Souza and GVOM Qatar coordinator Shalini Mendonca. A short presentation on the GVOM history and Qatar’s success in GVOM was shown the screen as GVOM anthem was played on the background before Alfred Cyril Crasta introduced the judges to the audience who were welcomed by Arthur Pais with bouquets.
The stage was then thrown open to the contest as witty, eloquent and spontaneous Ronald Olivera took over the reins of the programme. The first performer of the evening was Carol D’Souza who emoted perfect emotions coupled with brilliant vocals in rendering ‘Tujea Phondar’, a musical masterpiece, penned and composed by Alwyn Noronha Bajpe and sung originally by Babita Pinto. Carol should have perhaps been recognized much earlier for her talent because she is one of the finest young female singers that are coming up these days and she has all that can make her a prized possession of Konkani music in the coming years. It was perfect start to the evening and the loud applause that echoed through the venue was ample proof that audience had settled in for a musical extravaganza.
Second one on the stage was Sarita Mendonca who belted out Konkani’s Showman Mic Max’s peppy number ‘Vallchea Udkak’ sung originally by Preema Rodrigues. She was followed on stage by Qatar well-known Konkani voice Eva Wilma Pinto who has been a consistent performer in every GVOM held so far. It was ‘Tunch Eklo Puro Maka’ penned and set to tune by Lloyd Rego Taccode that was Eva Wima’s choice of song for the evening. This song sung originally by Meera Crasta has come in for lot of praise by the music critiques and has been a regular entry in various Konkani music competitions. Eva with her unique voice timber and beautiful presentation dished out a great performance that came in for a lot of praise by the jury and the audience.
Jovita Pereira is not new to GVOM and Konkani buffs of Qatar. She is the owner of a melodious voice and has been one of the most consistent performers in GVOM Qatar chapter over the years making it to the semis four times in a row. She even made it to the Top-3 last time around and today she hit all the right notes and stirred the Konkani chords of every Konkani lover present in the audience with the stellar rendition of ‘Mujem Kalliz Mogar Podlam’, one of the most romantic numbers penned and composed by legendary, the late Konkann Kogull Wilfy Rebimbus and sung magically by Babita Pinto. Jovita’s sweet voice came in for a lot of appreciation by jury member Fr Clement. t was Anjali Andrade’s performance that brought the venue to complete silence. Gifted with a mellifluous voice, she is surely a star in the making, if only more and more opportunities come up her way. The song she chose for the evening was ‘Mujea Kallzeachi Har-eik Uddi’, one of the most emotional numbers composed on mother by none other than the late Wilfy Rebimbus and sung originally by Konkann Myna Meena Rebimbus. Again this is one of the favourite songs at various Konkani singing competitions for over 30 years since its first release in 1985. It was a soul stirring performance by Anjali striking the inner most emotions of the audience. And when she hung up, it took some time for audience to realise that Anjali had completed performance and then there was thunderous applause that reverberated through the Regency Halls. The last female performer of the evening was Sunitha D’Souza, another gifted and hardworking singer. She beautifully presented the late Wilfy Rebimbus’ another memorable song ‘Mog Di Maka Mog Di’, sung originally by Veena Pais nee Rebimbus.
The performances by all the female contestants was of such high standards that audience was left stunned in sheer appreciation of the perfect blend of melodious singing and equally matching performance by each one of the contestants. For sure judges Fr Clement, Wilson Oliver and Suraj Noronha had difficult time in selecting the best one. It was also heralding of what was in store when contest would start for the male semi-finalists. And no one was disappointed as Qatar’s Top-7 male voices dished out a wonderful performance through their superlative singing.
The first contestant among the male singers was Alphonse D’Silva, one of Qatar’s best singers. Time and again those who have heard him opined that his voice has a close resemblance with the voice of Konkani’s original and first showman Jerome D’Souza. Alphonse’s ability to come up with astounding performance almost everytime he climbs up the stage is second to none and he lived up to his billing as one of the top performers of the evening with the superlative presentation of Melwyn Peris’ touching number 'Agttem Ujeachemm'. With this performance, Alphonse had given a perfect start to the contest among the male semi-finalists. He was followed on stage by another familiar voice of Qatar Naveen Pinto, the owner of a deep, heart warming voice. And the song that he chose for contest was one of Konkani’s evergreen numbers ‘Mariya’ penned, composed and originally sung by the late Wilfy Rebimbus. Naveen came up with a marvellous performance attracting a huge round of applause by the audience. Next on queue was young Niel Roshan D’Silva who presented ‘Loveleena’ song penned, composed and sung originally by Adolf Jayathilak. It was a confident and superb presentation by Niel and jury member Wilson Olivera justified this while commenting on the performance. Praveen Lobo was the next one to take to the stage with ‘Haanv Eik Sopnneli’, one fo the best compositions of the late Mic Max which had originally been sung by Dr Prashanth Raj. Praveen gave out his best performance and the big applause that he received proved that his performance did strike a chord with the audience too.
The surprise package of the semi-finals was by far Wilson Mendonca, known to be an entertainer by the Qatar music lovers for his choice of peppy numbers often. He too has been a regular at GVOM and has made it to the semi-finals multiple times. He came up with the peppy number Veera, composed by the late Wilfy Rebimbus and sung originally by Ivan Sequeira. He raised the competition bar by several notches with his breathtaking performance, attracting showers of applause from the audience. Next on the stage was Naveen D’Souza, man who can hit the lower musical notes as easily as sipping a cup of tea. He was the dark horse last time around and had taken everyone by surprise with is beautiful singing. This time around too, his was an amazing performance which was appreciated greatly by the jury and the audience. His choice of song was ‘Mog Dolleanni’ composed and sung by Vishwas Rebimbus.
The final performance in the male category was by far the best performance of the evening. Clement Fernandes, better known as Munna Taccode, is a multifaceted personality. He had composed songs and brought out his own Konkani album when he was still in teens and later he was also crowned Mr Konkani World during the Vishwa Konkanni Yuva Mell held during the First World Konkani Cultural Convention. But what he is best known is for his singing prowess. Blessed with a sonorous voice, he has the unique ability to spellbind the audience with sensational singing. He is a prodigious talent and he exhibited as why he is considered as one of the most promising young, up and coming singers in Konkani. He chose to sing ‘Kallza Gaaz’ song penned by Panchu Bantwal and composed by Eric Ozario. The song originally sung by one of Konkani’s most melodious singers Prakash D’Souza Bajpe, is a masterpiece in itself. Clement not only did complete justice to the song but left an indelible mark in the hearts of the audience and judges with his singing. Such was the impact of his singing that it took the extraordinary skills of famed Ronald Olivera to calm down the audience who had gone berserk with thunderous applause as Clement finished his song.
Based on the first round performances, Top-3 singers in male and female category were selected to the second and final round. While Carol D’Souza, Anjali Andrade and Jovita Pereira stood on the podium at the end of the first round in the female category, Clement Fernandes, Naveen Pinto and Wilson Mendonca rose to the podium in the male category.
The next round was of common song. While female singers were given ‘Asha’ song, composed by the late Wilfy Rebimbus and sung originally by Meena Rebimbus, male singers had to present another composition of the Konkann Kogull ‘Mai Ganva’ sung originally by Vishwas Rebimbus. Again all the 6 contestants came up with the brilliant performance knowing well that their fortunes of entering the finals depended on this round. It was indeed superlative performance as margin of error decreased and contestants put their best foot forward to impress the jury.
Qatar’s famed band Singing Birds led by Lateef provided the music for the semi-finals. Joswin Pinto, a well-known lead guitarist from Mangalore was flown in specially from Mangalore for the contest directed the music.
Once the contest was over, a short stage programme was held wherein MCA Seva Puraskar-2016 was awarded. While Captain Ramanan Ravi Kumar, the defence advisory at the Indian Embassy, Qatar, was the chief guest of the evening, Walter Nandalike, the Editor-in-chief of Daijiworld was the guest of honour. The guests were escorted to the stage by MCA president Arthur Pais, vice-president Aloysius D’Souza and advisors Felix Lobo, Jerry Pinto, Joquim D’Souza and Wilfred Fernandes. Alfred Crasta introduced Captain Ravi Kumar to gathering before Arthur Pais delivered the keynote address.
Then the much-awaited MCA Seva Puraskar 2016 that consists of citation, memento and a cash amount of Rs 1 lac was presented to Corrine Rasquinha, founder president of White Doves from Mangaluru for her outstanding, selfless, relentless service to the less fortunate people of the society. Chief Guest of the evening Capt Ravi Kumar and Walter Nandalike presented her with the prestigious award after Veena Pais read out the citation.
Chief guest Captain Ravikumar, in his address, congratulated Seva Puraskar awardee Corrine Rasquinha, lauding her efforts to reach out the poorest of the poor and the needy. He was all praise for MCA for instituting such an award that recognizes and honours those people who are doing selfless service to the society. He also advised other Qatar-based Indian socio-cultural organizations to take a cue from MCA and recognize more and more such people.
In her acknowledgement speech Corrine thanked MCA for choosing her for the prestigious award and honouring her service. “This award is not
merely for me but for all of those who are associated with White Doves mission for many years. This will surely give us strength and encouragement to continue our mission of reaching out to the needy,” she added.
Walter Nandalike congratulated Corrine on being conferred with Seva Puraskar and also lauded the efforts of MCA in organizing Gulf Voice of Mangalore Qatar chapter successfully for the 5th consecutive season.
MCA has been encouraging Konkani in its own way. For the last two years MCA had organized Konkani poetry writing competition and this year a Konkani short story writing competition was held. Rony Monteiro was the first prize followed by Sandeep Noronha and Savious Crasta. They were presented with the prize by Walter Nandalike.
GVOM-5 Qatar preliminary’s judges Agnel Ullas D’Souza and Gladson D’Almeida were presented with mementoes along with all the semi-finalists and musicians.
Aloysius D’Souza proposed the vote of thanks and Qatar’s very best, eloquent and suave Alfred Cyril Crasta was the compere for the stage programme.
As the audience waited for the announcement of the final results, one of the judges of the evening Wilson Olivera and the most loved golden voice of Qatar Rupert Lobo entertained the audience by belting out Wilson Olivera’s Konkani songs. Qatar’s newest dancing sensations, Dance Warriors Group comprising of Anushka Fernandes, Shown Fernandes, Greg D’Cunha and Elena Noronha mesmerised the audience with their scintillating and elegant dance performance. Aloysius D’Souza, Merlyn D’Souza, Alwyn Goveas, Sandeep Noronha, Treesa Goveas and Clara D’Souza entertained the gathering with their rib-tickling shorts skits.
The programme was compered by Konkani’s Ronald Olivera with wit, timely punches and control over the gathering. He is known as one of the best comperes that we have today and he again proved that his brand of compering is second to none.
Ramco Trading & Contracting and Qatar Space Technology were the main sponsor of the evening while Commercial Bank Qatar, Doha Bank and Construction Development Company LLC (CDC) were the co-sponsors.
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