Report : Clarence Pinto
Daijiworld Media Network - Muscat
Pics : Arun Jivraj Lobo
Muscat, Jun 14: In an interesting and hard fought preliminary round competition of the Gulf Voice of Mangalore (GVOM), Season 4, a talent hunt show for the Konkani speaking community that is spread all over the Gulf region, six male and six female singers entered into the semifinals.
The preliminary round competition was organized by the Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish (MCCP, Sts Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi) on the Friday, June 13 at the main parish hall of Holy Spirit Church - Ghala. As announced by the officials of MCCP, the semifinal round will be held on September 19 in the main parish hall of Sts Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi.
The Gulf Voice of Mangalore singing competition is considered to be one of the most popular and top rated talent show in the history of Konkani music, a brainchild of Lawrence Pinto and Louis Rodrigues from Kuwait, was first conducted in Kuwait in 2008 under the banner 'Youth Recreation Club Kuwait'.
This year’s preliminary round competition of Oman Region commenced with a brilliant introductory note by Ajith Walder, a well known community activist and past vice president (Sports and Finance Committees) of MCCP. Ajith Walder, throughout the program, exhibited a thorough command of powerful Konkani language and precisely presented every part of the competition with ease and perfection.
Fr Robert Lasrado, a visiting Capuchin priest from Mangalore, offered the opening prayers seeking heavenly blessings on the program and the contestants.
Stanley T H Fernandes, the chairman of the Gulf Voice of Mangalore : Season 4 organizing committee in Oman and the past president of MCCP, welcomed the audience, judges and participants. He also gave a brief history of Gulf Voice of Mangalore.
Lancy Lobo, the immediate past president of MCCP and Prescilla Menezes, the current president of MCCP, escorted Fr Robert Lasrado to the stage and Fr Lasrado was honored with a floral bouquet by Lancy Lobo. After the inauguration of the Gulf Voice of Mangalore : Season 4 - Oman edition by all the dignitaries present on the stage, Fr Robert Lasrado delivered an inspiring message to the audience and contestants.
Lavina D Sa, a well known Konkani speaker, one of the community leader of Pangalites in Oman and past executive committee member of MCCP, introduced the eminent judges of the competition. They were Valerian Crasta, a prominent member of the Ghala Catholic Community, well-known choir conductor of Salalah and Ghala parishes, Marie Pereira, fine singer, choir member of various parishes and teacher at Indian School Muscat and Loy Lobo, vibrant piano player, Music degree holder from Trinity College of Music, London and a famous music composer of several musical programs in Mangalore and Udupi. The judges were honored by Michael Goveas, Mangalorean community leader of the Holy Spirit Church - Ghala, Mariete Fernandes, MCCP vice-president, cultural, spiritual and community services and Edward Mendonca, MCCP vice-president, sports and finance committees.
The Gulf Voice of Mangalore, title song composed by Leslie Rego, tuned by Claud D'Souza and music composed by Joswin Pinto, was presented and all the contestants entered the hall with a grand welcome march. The contestants were, in men’s category, Brian Madtha, Cavin D'Souza, Issac Peter D'souza, Joel Francis Mendonca, Jonathan Bennett, Noel Machado D, Peter Prakash Fernandes, Prakash Alwyn D'souza, Ronson D'Souza, Sachin Lobo, Stanislaus D'souza and Zino Saldanah and ladies category, Anitha Lobo, Astrin D'Silva, Dynet Fernandes, Flavia Castelino, Flavia Jacintha Fernandes, Inez Lobo, Josma Henna Rodrigues, Melanie Crasta, Melita Alva, Renita Rosaline Quadras and Sandra Concesso
Naveen Mascarenhas an active member of the community, presented the rules of the competition. The management of the competition was perfectly carried out by Nirmala Goveas, Celine D Souza and Jane Castelino.
In the competition, every contestant was encouraged by the audience with laud applause and cheers. It was clearly visible during the competition that every contestant had put lot of efforts and energy to present their singing talents in the best possible manner. In fact, the audience thoroughly enjoyed the program.
Immediately after the competition, Valerian Crasta and his wife Dorothy Crasta were specially felicitated by the Konkani Speaking Community of the Holy Spirit Church Ghala for their selfless service to the community and the parish. Valerian Crasta, after serving 31 years in the Sultan Qaboos University, has decided to move back to India. This felicitation program was presented by John Gonsalves, the parish council member of the Holy Spirit Church Ghala. Stanley Fernandes, Michael Goveas, Nirmala Goveas, Edward Mendonca were present on the stage and Valerian and Dorothy Crasta were presented with floral bouquets and a memento.
After the felicitation ceremony, the judges were honored by Stanley Fernandes and Prescilla Menezes. Thomas Pinto, an active member of the Gulf Voice of Mangalore Planning Committee, proposed the vote of thanks. A special appreciation was given to Cavin D Souza, W J Towell, Henry and Gracy Castelino and Raphael Quadras of Zahrat Al Rawdha Company for their support and help.
All the participants were presented with certificates by Stanley Fernandes, Donald Pinto, Suraj Rebello and Clarence Pinto, Core Team Members of MCCP.
The winners of both categories were announced by Apolinaris D Souza, one of the finest musicians of the Konkani Community and mentor of several budding singers.
A traditional lunch which was deliciously prepared by Henry and Gracy Castelino of Barka, was served to the audience.
The winners in each category were as follows :
Men
1. Brian Madtha
2. Cavin D Souza
3. Issac Peter D Souza
4. Joel Francis Mendonca
5. Jonathan Bennet
6. Sachin Lobo
Ladies
1. Astrin D Silva
2. Inez Lobo
3. Josma Henna Rodrigues
4. Melanie Crasta
5. Melita Alva
6. Renita Roseline Quadras