UAE : Twelve Singers Qualify for 'Gulf Voice of Mangalore' Semifinals
Pics: Ramcy Fernandes & Vivian Pinto
Daijiworld Media Network—Dubai (SP/CN)
Dubai, Apr 30: New talents surfaced in abundance at the UAE-level Konkani singing competition being conducted by Mangalore Konkans, the ace Konkani organization of the Middle East, at the Dubai Gem Private School on Friday April 30.
Almost 130 male and female singers participated in the day-long competition in the solo, mixed duet, group singing, and `Sangeet Kutumb' categories. Participants from most of the Emirates were seen getting themselves tested in the competition by some of the best people in the music industry.
The morning session saw 17 entries in the female category and 27 entries in the male category. This competition was very important for the participants as 12 winners got automatic chance to enter the `Gulf Voice of Mangalore' competition to be held later this year, where the winner will walk away with the grand prize of Rs 1.0 lac.
The afternoon session was for children in the age group of 6 to 8, 9 to 12, and 13 to 15. There was competition in the mixed duet and Sangeeth Kutumb categories too.
Adrian Gomes, well-known musician from Kuwait, Jossy Moras, musician and certified western singer as well as Carnatic music professional from Dubai, and Olivia Rodrigues, singer from Dubai, were the judges for the morning session.
The afternoon session was judged by Fr Denis D'Sa, administrator, Father Muller Medical College, Mangalore, Ketan D'Souza, musician, and Olinda Goveas, well-known singer, Dubai.
Jossy Moras, Olivia Rodrigues, and Fr D'Sa spoke on behalf of the judges.
“This is a `sangama' of artistes, organizers, sponsors, teachers, and parents”, said Fr D'Sa in his speech.
Congratulating all the participants for keeping high the spirit of participation, he said that, “Music is a uniting factor. Proper practice prevents poor performance”.
Remembering Konkan Kogull Wilfy Rebimbus on the occasion, he gave a call for research to be conducted on his songs.
Manohar Pais, chief co-ordinator of the event, felicitated all the judges.
Santhosh Nazareth, president, Mangalore Konkans, offered flower bouquets to Ivan Fernandes, DUCONT, trophy sponsor, Melvyn Rodrigues, Daijiworld.com, media partner, and Herman Lewis, Radio Spice, radio partner, for their patronage.
Lilly D'Almeida, general secretary, Mangalore Konkans, welcomed the gathering at the start of the marathon event that went on for almost 10 hours. She thanked all the participants, their parents for the encouragement extended to their children, all the sponsors, and the audience.
Stany D'Cunha, member, Mangalore Konkans, proposed the vote of thanks.
Ronald Colaco, philanthropist from Bangalore, who is also the platinum sponsor of the finals of `Gulf Voice of Mangalore' to be held on October 22, 2010, at the Sheikh Rashid Auditorium in Dubai, was felicitated along with Ivan Fernandes, DUCONT, by Fr Denis D'Sa.
Ronald Colaco unveiled the logo of this mega event during the occasion.
Mangalore Konkans was established in 1988 with the objective of nurturing Konkani talents in the Middle East and to support social causes. It has been conducting singing, elocution, cookery, and sports competitions for the past 22 years and raising funds through its ‘Family Fiesta’ programmes.
‘Gulf Voice of Mangalore’ is the dream child of Lawrence Pinto and Louis Rodrigues from Kuwait, which was a huge success last year, wherein Vinay Lewis from Kuwait emerged as the winner. This year, the baton has been handed to Mangalore Konkans by this duo and the initial selection rounds are being conducted all over the Middle East.
Rajesh Sequeira and Roshan D'Silva were the comperes of the event. Valerian Peris announced the names of the semi-finalists of `Gulf Voice of Mangalore' from the United Arab Emirates.
James Mendonca, Santhosh Nazareth, and Linus Moras were present along with the singing competition committee members on the dais.
Prizes were distributed by Francis Mascarenhas, Lancy Madtha, Herman Lewis, Joseph Mathias, Hilda Pais, Ivan Fernandes, and Ronald Colaco.
Prize Winners:
Children - Age 6 to 8 Years
First : Lanisha Vaz
Second : Claton D'Souza
Third : Monisha Rasquinha
Children - Age 9 to 12 Years
First : Kevin D'Souza
Second : Shannon Beatrice D'Souza
Third : Rynell Rodrigues
Youth - Age 13 to 15 Years
First: Aaron Calvin D'Cunha
Second: Brian Tony Fernandes
Third: Gavin Joshua Rodrigues and Nigel D'Silva
Mixed Duet
First : Mario Rego and Olivia D'Almeida
Second: Jerry S DeSouza and Joanna M D'Souza
Third: Xavier D'Souza and Olivia Coutinho
Group Singing
First : Dainy D'Souza and group
Second: Mamatha D'Souza and group
Third: Lancy Noronha and group
Sangeeth Kutumb
First : Lancy Madtha and Family
Second: Mario Rodrigues and Family
Third: Melvin D'Souza and Family
Male Solo
First: Jerry S DeSouza
Second: Xavier Pereira
Third: Ashok Menezes
Female Solo
First: Maria L Fernandes
Second: Cresilla Shanti Rodrigues
Third: Loveeta D'Souza
Special Prize: Jerry S DeSouza (for composing and singing the song on Wilfy Rebimbus)
Preliminary winners to the semi-final round of Gulf Voice of Mangalore (of Mangalorean Origin)
Female:
1. Reena Loren
2. Sabita Mathias
3. Cresilla Shanti Rodrigues
4. Olivia D'Almeida
5. Loveeta D'Souza
6. Veera Rodrigues
Male:
1. Jeevan Edward Vas
2. Ashok Menezes
3. Ivan Fernandes
4. Mario Rego
5. Prashanth Pinto
6. Robin Godwin D'Souza