Daijiworld Media Network - Doha

Doha, Oct 9 : Mangalore Cultural Association, which is organizing the third season of the prestigious 'Gulf Voice of Mangalore 2012' is now set to host the grand finale on Friday, October 19 at the Giwana Hall of Radisson Blu Hotel.

With semi-final rounds done, all eyes are on the twelve finalists - six male and six female - who have been chosen after tough contests in their respective semi-finals in six Gulf countries.

Veena Pais Nee Rebimbis, main coordinator of GVOM - 3 has now released the names of the eminent judges for the finals, who are four of the finest stars of Konkani music.

Meena Rebimbus, Henry D'Souza, Joel Pereira and Fr Denis D'Sa have been chosen as judges for the grand finale.

Here is brief introduction of panel of the jury :

Meena Rebimbus :

'Konkan Myna' Meena Rebimbus is wife late singing legend Wilfy Rebimbus.

In 1963, for the first time, she got an opportunity to sing with Wilfy Rebimbus for his Music Party “United Youngsters”.  This was on the occasion of his Konkani Play “Doth Maka Naka”.  It was the beginning of her singing with Wilfy, and since then she has been the back bone of Wilfy Nites for 49 years.

In the Sixties Meena took part in various categories including solo, duet, and group in the inter parish singing competitions, which were organized by Konkani Natak Sabha Mangalore, and had won many prizes for her Parish.

From 16 years of age till date, Meena has sang more than 2000 songs, sang as a background singer for more than 300 plays, and sang for Wilfy’s 42 Cassettes & 6 Devotional Cassettes. 

She has also composed many songs.  To name a few popular ones -“Nach tuka eatha ter nach Moga”, “Ya Sounsaranth”, and “Asha ”.  Delhi & Bangalore Doordarshan & Akashavani Mangalore have telecasted her performance.

For her contribution towards Konkani Music, she has been felicitated with the following
Titles:

“Konkan Myna” From Benar  Production & also a Gold Medal
“Konkanni Podanchi Rani ” From Broad View , Kala Sampath Lions , Club  Illinois.
“Shatamananthli Adarsh Potin ” from Chintpachi Manchi Kuwait
“Life time Achievement Award” from MCC, Association Doha Qatar

After Wilfy’s death, Meena is left alone with his memories and spends time listening to his songs. Even though shattered by his exit, she encourages her Children to move forward and continue Wilfy’s work by organizing Wilfy Nites. Although she misses singing with Wilfy, she has taken the bold step of continuing her singing just to encourage her children and keep the torch of Konkani shine brightly in the music world.

Henry D'Souza

Henry D Souza is a rare gem  whose talent and creative genius  encompasses a wide spectrum of  creative activities such as writing  short stories, skits, poetry and articles on diverse topics for various Konkani periodicals.    For sometime he also dabbled in journalism by starting “Hi”, an English weekly.     But finally it is only music that beckoned this talented singer  who  kept other distractions at bay to emerge as a top notch performer with  a style  so distinct and rapturous .

In Mumbai he pursued a professional career as a financial consultant and vented his creativity by pursuing journalistic activities.     He also has  written  3 Konkani plays “Sobhit Samasar”, “Ghar Rani” and “Athanso Samsar”, which have been staged successfully from time to time.   Despite finding various conduits to give vent to his multifarious talents, he could no longer  keep his predilection for music in the closet for long.  Driven by an uncanny  determination he  set up his own  western music band in 1964 with him as the lead singer.  As the lead singer of the group he began to sing effortlessly some of the popular songs of the star singers of yesteryears  like Cliff Richard, Elvis Presley, Ricky Nelson, Pat Boon and many others,  in five star hotels, during parties, weddings and other celebrations.  Slowly but steadily, Henry D Souza, the singer had arrived and he  climbed the ladder of popularity to emerge as a singer in his own right. In the same year the first Konkani song he sang for All India Radio, Mumbai “Sanchem Ketem hai hai Bombhai  Sherachem”   propelled him to the zenith of popularity and as the cliché goes there has been no stopping of his extraordinary singing talent from blooming.

From 1964 onwards, he has recorded more than 700 songs for All India Radio, Mumbai  and these songs are broadcast repeatedly even now by Mumbai AIR in its Konkani programmes.  It is a matter of pride for all   Konkanis  that his songs are broadcast over radio in Sri Lanka, Kuwait, Bahrain  and Qatar. Henry  has given solo programmes and teamed up with Dr  Aparna Mayenkar  for duet song performance for Mumbai  Doordarshan.   It goes to the credit of Henry that he has been singing the songs  “Ye Ye Katrina” and “Ami Dogi Sezara”  written and composed by  him in his every programme for the last 45 years  and these still drive the audience crazy.  Radio Ceylon popularized his song “ye ye Katrina” by broadcasting it for nearly two years .  The song has been translated into Sinhalese  language keeping the original tune intact and choreographed too  and it was a major attraction in most of their functions for many decades.  Both these songs are now available on YouTube  for music lovers and each song has  recorded more than 20,000 hits so far. 

Accolades and recognition for Henry have poured in from all quarters and from different organizations  from time to time for his commendable service for Konkani in general and Konkani music in particular.  He has been honoured with the titles “Sangeet Samrat”  at Town Hall in Mangalore by Shanti Club, Bajjodi,   in 1988 and  with “Kala Ratna”  by Konkan Taran – Jerry-Merry, Mumbai,   in 1995.   He has been honoured  by Permannur  Catholic community,  by Belman church during it scentenary celebration, by Konkani Cathlic Sangh (R), Mysore, St Mary’s Association, Shirva, Mumbai, Konkani Welfare Association, Mumbai, Konkani Kutam, Bahrain  and many other organizations,   for his contribution to Konkani music.  It was Henry who had the honour of presenting Daiji Dubai Puraskar  in Dubai to Konkan Kogul Wilfy Rebimbus in 2007.

Joel Pereira

“Sangeeth Guru” Joel Pereira is a well-known name in the field of Konkani music and is proficient in playing diverse instruments like the keyboard, violin, guitar, sitar, mandolin, accordion, and other brass instruments. It seems that music runs in his veins and Joel has manifested it in ample measure with his dedication and musical inclination.

Joel is a multi-talented personality and has been a music composer and arranger who has written and directed religious plays. He has travelled widely and has conducted music for more than 500 stage shows both in India and abroad.

He has arranged music for more than 300 audio albums in Konkani, Tulu, Kannada, English, and Malayalam languages.  He has rendered valuable service as a choir master and has presided as judge for various singing competitions.   Joel was one among the jury for the both editions of ‘Gulf Voice of Mangalore’.

Fr Denis D'Sa

Fr. Denis D’sa, currently the administrator, Father Muller Medical College, College Of Nursing, College Of Allied Health Sciences And School Of Nursing has a vast experience in the field of music. Being a singer and a composer himself, Fr. Denis has composed many hymns and brought out many devotional albums. From 1990 to 1998 Fr. Denis has served as Asst Parish Priest in Udyavar, Bejai, Rosario Cathedral Mangalore and as a Parish Priest in Narampady Parish. From 1998 he was Director / Secretary Sandesha Foundation for Culture & Education.

Fr. Denis was a Nominated Member By The Government Of Karnataka To The Karnataka Konkanni Sahithya Academy On 05-02-2009.
 
During His Tenure As Director, Sandesha Foundation Was Honoured With Rajyothsava Award Both By The State Government And The D.K. District Administration For Sandesha’s Contribution To The Promotion Of Art And Culture And Education (Fine Arts).

The Finalists :

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