Gulf Voice of Mangalore: Who will Hit the Jackpot?
Daijiworld Media Network - Global
[Special thanks to Veena Rebimbus - Doha, Ronald Dsouza - Bahrain, Clarence Pinto - Muscat]
Kuwait, Oct 15: Konkani's biggest ever reality show, the brainchild of Luis Rodrigues and Lawrence Pinto of Kuwait is just few days away from crowning the new singing sensation with a cash prize of Rs 1lac and the coveted title. The final is expected to take place in Kuwait on October 17, 2008 from 4.30pm onwards.
Lawrence Pinto and Louis Rodrigues
Ten singers have passed through grueling preliminary contests in their respective states and are now set to present themselves on the bigger stage where the entire world is anxiously waiting to see who will be the first superstar of Konkani music in the gulf.
Tickets for the show have been sold out and the organizers are trying desperately to accommodate more space so not to disappoint the crowd.
For the first time in the history of the Gulf region, the qualifying singers are accompanied by their families and a big delegation from each country is expected to attend the show to cheer their favorite home finalists.
Over 2.5 million rupees budgeted show with the biggest prize money at stake the three lucky winners will be richer by Rs 1 lac, Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000 respectively.
Daijiworld.com, which is associated with the show right from its inception has been largely instrumental in creating worldwide awareness and have already elevated 10 talented singers into the star status. Before the finals, Daijiworld.com team spoke to the contestants to know more about them and their future plans.
Vinay Lewis - Kuwait
33-year-old Vinay Lewis, most eligible bachelor in the entire contest is the son of Walter Lewis and Veronica Lewis hails from Kallianpur (Kundapur Varado), BA graduate Vinay works in a private firm in HR department.
Singing is passion and whenever gets opportunity he renders his voice for the shows and other events. In the year 2000 he won the coveted 'Super Singer of the Year - 2000' contest held by Maharastra Konkan Association in Mumbai.
He has won several prizes in singing contest right from his childhood. He has also participated and won prizes in College and Inter-collegiate level contests.
Delighted over his victory in the Gulf Voice of Mangalore semi-finals, Vinay says he looks forward for more opportunities in the professional singing groups.
Vinay stood first in the semi-finals by securing 119 points.
Joylene Gonsalves - Kuwait
Joylene Gonsalves, 31-year-old daughter of Peter and Celine D'Souza Kallianpur. Married to John Kiran Gonsalves of Kundapur has two kids Ansel and Aaron.
"I am lucky to have musician husband who plays key board and encourages me a lot, my parents are even today active members in Choir group in Kallianpur Church. They are my inspiration." says Joylene.
She has rendered her voice in one devotional cassette and few other musical shows. She has won several parish and inter-parish level contests during her school and college days.
Diploma holder in computer science Joylene has a dream to bring out devotional album. She considers Gulf Voice of Mangalore is a good break for her singing talent.
Joylene has secured 117 points to take second spot in the semi-finals
Edward Roshan D'Souza - Doha
Edward Roshan D'Souza, 26 years of age , son of Alfred Dsouza and Theresa D'Souza hails from Vamanjoor. A Commerce graduate , Roshan is an accountant by profession, He works for Halliburton Worldwide Lts in Doha. He represents Doha – Qatar.
"I have participated in singing competitions held by Konkani Natak Sabha, Mangalore, at college and in Dubai and won many prizes" says Roshan Sing is his passion and he takes every opportunity to display his talent in public. Before coming to Doha, Roshan was working in Dubai and rendered his voice on several Konkani programs.
Winning or losing is not important for Roshan But he has a dream for rendering his voice to leading Konkani composers’ album "I want to utilize my talent to serve God through devotional albums and sing for prominent composers like Wilfy Rebimbus, Melwyn Peris and others. I also wish to learn classical singing and to be an expert and compose my own songs"
Roshan stood first by securing 110 points in the Semi-finals.
Sunitha Mariuna Tellis - Doha
Sunitha Mariuna Tellis is 33 years old. She is the daughter of Valerian & Florine Lobo, and hails from Hospet Parish, Moodubidri. She is married to Robert Tellis and are blessed with two children Carol and Keith. She is a B A Graduate and a housewife.
Sunitha has a winning streak in singing since her childhood. She won several prizes in the parish, varado and diocese level singing competitions, including Konkani Natak Sabha competitions.
"I will keep music alive within me and the people around, if I win the Gulf Voice of Mangalore" says Sunitha.
Reaching higher levels in singing is her dream.
She has secured 101 points in the semi-finals
Lavina Maria Dantis - Bahrain
Born to Cyprian Peter D’ Almeida and Gracy D’ Almeida , 33 year old Lavina hails from Valencia, Mangalore. She is a B.com graduate in Human Resources – HR Administration. Lavina is married to the noted Konkani community activist and poet Walter Dantis. The couple has a daughter Rochelle.
"I did my schooling at St. Gerosa High School, Jeppu. I actively took part in Fancy dress, elocution and singing competitions at a tender age of 5. During the same time I took part in Konkan Natak Sabha and won the first place in the Fancy dress competition. I also participated in the interschool competitions like the Mangalore Musical Association."
Lavina was also a church Choir member since 12-year of age, and continued for atleast 10 years. During this period I participated in the Parish Day and other cultural programmes and musical nites.
Lavina had the privilege of singing at the Melwyn Peris Nite held in Doha in 2005.
Since her husband is a Konkani poet, they have a dream of releasing a Konkani musical album soon. Gulf Voice of Mangalore has set up a perfect platform for her dream to come true.
Lavina has secured 110 points in Semi-finals
Cynthia Genevira Latha D'Souza - Bahrain:
Cynthia Latha is 35 years old and is the daughter of Cyprian and Jacintha Dsouza. She married to Vincent Joseph Dsouza and have two kids. Cynthia has done secretarial practice but she is a house wife.
" Singing has always been my passion since the time I was a child. As children we used to have singing sessions and drawing room singing competitions amongst friends. As I grew in age I had a little success in this field. However the responsibilities of family life and limited opportunities at that time meant that my dream of singing on a bigger stage vanished." says Cynthia.
She is grateful to Gulf Voice of Mangalore organisers as she admits she has enjoyed worldwide recognition , something that she never dreamed would come true. Cynthia now eagerly looks towards the finals.
"My dream is to spread awareness and pride of our rich Mangalorean culture and tradition through my voice and songs. I want to be a part of the music that lifts our spirits when we are down, that teaches us to love and respect our elders, love our neighbours and give us hope for a better future in these troubled times where there is so much hatred and evil."
Cynthia has secured 103 points in Semi-finals
Roshan Donald Correa - Dubai
32-year-old Donald Correa is popularly known as Dony Correa. He hails from Pernal parish of Mangalore diocese and is the son of David and Eliza Correa. He is married to Asha and they have a son . Donald is a Commerce graduate and works as Sales Account Manager for an IT group in Dubai
Donald has participated in Konkani singing competitions, performed at some of the local association musical programs, had an opportunity to render his voice for “Mogachin Larhan” Konkani album, as a member of the local music band.
Donald believes GVOM is a strong foundation and encouragement for all the participants to prove their signing skills. "My journey of reaching the finals is a dream come true and from now on I will grab every single opportunity that comes my way in the field of Konkani music" Donald is also a good community leader and compere for all seasons.
Donald has secured 124 points in semi-finals
Asha Fernandes nee Pinto - Dubai
Asha Fernades , 31 years of age is born to Francis and Helen Pinto of Paladka. She is married to Reny Fernandes of Mudarangady has 2 children Rean and Regan. A nurse by profession, Asha preferred to remain a housewife
Right from childhood Asha had an edge over music and contested in several competitions at various levels and won laurels and awards. She has rendered her voice for a Konkani album and appeared in few stage shows in Dubai
"I want to become a professional playback singer. This is my dream. Singing for Konkani albums for big names is always my dream . I also want to appear in more and more stage shows at higher levels."
Asha has secured 119 points in the Semi-finals
Victoria Premi Fernandes - Muscat
Born to Antony Dion Fernandes and Celine Fernandes of Kalmady, 33-year-old Victoria is married to Goldwin A. Soares. She is a Commerce graduate and works as Executive secretary in Muscat
Victoria has offered her voice to a number of Konkani devotional and Musical Cassettes. She has won several prizes in the parish level singing competitions right from childhood.
"I want to improve my singing. I want to be identified as one among other good singers. I want to sing more Konkani songs and encourage others to sing Konkani songs and promote them " says Victoria
Victoria has secured 113 points in Semi-finals
Gratian Rudolf Benjamin Vaz - Muscat:
The senior most of them all, finalist Gratian Rudolf Benjamin Vaz is popularly known as Dolphy Vaz. He hails from Cascia, Mangalore and is the son of late A Ligory Vaz and D Agnes Vaz. He is a Commerce graduate and works as Chief accountant in Muscat
"I received my first training and guidance in singing from my father and then in Cascia Church Choir. I won prizes in duet singing competitions held by Konkani Natak Sabha under junior boys category with my brother Clifford Vaz for two consecutive years. Here we got noticed by Wilfy Rebimbus and was part of his troupe singing some hit duet songs with my brother like,Babulo, Chinthana. Esthu bhai and Kathu bai etc."
" I landed in Muscat in 1985 and since then has been a part of Church Choir for konkani Mass under our great Choir Masters-Apolinaris D Souza and Harry Rasquinha. I have been a winner in singing competitions held by MCCP and also been a part of various cultural programs held at Muscat by MCCP. I also had a chance to sing with Sri Melwyn Peris and Henry D souza at their shows in Muscat. It is a God given talent for me which was groomed by my parents, elder brother, my choir masters, and encouraged by family"
"I have no major dreams. But I want to entertain the audience whenever I sing. I have a desire to learn to read music and to be able to play at least one musical instrument .
Dolphy has secured 112 points in Semi-finals
Daijiworld.com, the official media for the entire event 'Gulf Voice of Mangalore' wishes all the ten talented finalists from all around the Gulf best of luck. May a new and deserving Konkani singing star rise from among you and shine in the world of Konkani music.
Gulf Voice of Mangalore - Complete Coverage
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Kuwait: Vinay Lewis, Joylene Gonsalves Qualify for Gulf Voice Finals
Kuwait, Oct 15: In a neck-to-neck Gulf Voice of Mangalore semi-finals contest of Kuwait chapter, held in the Carmel School on Wednesday, Oct 15, Vinay Lewis (119 points) and Joylene Gonslaves (117 points) both native of Kallianpur jumps into the finals by beating 10 other contestants in the competition...News & Pictures
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Doha-Qatar: Edward D'Souza, Sunitha Tellis Qualfiy for FinalsDoha, Oct 11: the fourth semi-final event of the Gulf Voice of Mangalore that was held at Al Ghazal Club on Friday October 10 proved to be a spectacular show. Twelve melodious singers from Qatar mesmerized the audience, who had occupied every available seat at the venue...News & Pictures
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Bahrain: Lavina Dantis, Cynthia Latha Enter into Final Round
Bahrain, Oct 10: Lavina Dantis, was the 1st place winner (110 points) and Cynthia Latha D'Souza was in 2nd place (103 points), both of whom would fly to Kuwait for the final leg of the Gulf Voice of Mangalore competition... News & Pictures
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UAE: Dony Correa, Asha Fernandes March into Finals
Dubai, Oct 3: Gulf Voice of Mangalore contest mastered by the Youth Recreation Centre and Rising Stars Kuwait is gaining much hype and popularity, as the semi-finals rounds are taking place around the Gulf. After the Muscat semi-finals on Oct 2, UAE organised this region's semi-final in Dubai. Mangalore Konkans, known as the best and most disciplined organisation in this part of the world, hosted the Gulf Voice of Mangalore in Dubai on Oct 3, 2008 at Indian Consulate. The event took-off at 6.30 pm...Photo Album
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Muscat: Victoria Soares, Dolphy Vaz Get Ticket to Kuwait
Muscat, Oct 2: It was a fantastic show of great music talent in Muscat. It was also a perfect start of the much awaited and first of its kind talent hunt show in the Gulf region. The first semi finals of the Gulf Voice of Mangalore commenced at Muscat with an graceful exhibition of mesmerizing Konkani Music. Victoria Soares, one of the finest singers of Muscat and Dolphy Vaz... News & Pics by Dolly Sequeira