By Antony D’Cunha
Pics by Joachim D’souza
Team Mangalorean, Oman

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Muscat: Finding right kind of platform to showcase the talents and to meet right kind of people to work with are the most essential catalysts for the success of any budding artiste. 

GULF VOICE OF MANGALORE (GVOM) is one such platform set by two like minded stalwarts – Lawrence Pinto and Louis Rodrigues, in 2008 and it led to the beginning of GVOM Season 1 - Konkani Singing Talent Hunt show by the Youth Recreation Centre – Kuwait, involving participants from almost all Gulf Countries except Saudi Arabia.  The efforts paid rich dividends and won accolades from all over the world.  GVOM Season 2 in 2010 by the Mangalore Konkans – Dubai, was even more successful with full participation from all Gulf countries.

GVOM Season 3 by the Mangalore Cultural Association (MCA) –  Doha, under the able leadership of Harry Lobo, President – MCA, in unison with Veena Rebimbus Pais – Main Co-ordinator GVOM –  3, is creating waves all over the Gulf with Auditions and preliminary rounds currently taking place in the region.

The Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish (MCCP) organised the preliminary rounds of GVOM Season 3 at the Main Hall of Sts. Peter and Paul Church – Ruwi, on Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 8.00 pm.  Lavina D’Sa, in the capacity of Anchor for the show gave an amazing start to the event with her inimitable presentation skills and kept the audience hooked to the programme throughout. Fr. Wilson Rumao OFM Cap, Asst. Parish Priest of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, in his intercessory prayer sought God’s blessings and prayed for impartial results in the competition.  Stanely T.H. Fernandes, President, popularly known as “Dattu” of the community welcomed jury members and all the audience to the show.  Lawrence Alva - Spiritual Cultural & Community Services, gave brief profile of the judges to the gathering and presented Floral Bouquets to the judges.  Prescilla Menezes – General Secretary, read out the rules and regulations of the competition.  Ophelia Lazarus – Community Services Secretary, in the capacity of Time Keeper fully concentrated on time parameters to ensure professional touch to the competition.  

Male and female categories solo singing in the presence of Jury and audience proved to be a tough competition as only Box Guitar was allowed to use.  Every individual singer was unique with voice quality & vocal flow at varying pressures delivering the magic of singing and soothing entertainment to the listener which at times made jury’s job difficult to judge or compare.

Participants in Female category were Flavia Castelino, Maria Pramila D’Costa, Josma Henna Rodrigues, Reena Shareen D’Souza, Flavia D’Souza, Astrin Virginia Agness D’Silva and Prescilla Menezes.  Participants in Male category were Loveline T. Rego, Peter Issac D’Souza, Ambrose Ivan Moras, Zino Micheal Saldanah, Noel Machado, Prem Colaco, Francis D’Souza, Vincent D’Souza, Stanislus D’Souza and Morvine Quadras.  All the participants were honoured with Certificate of Participation.

The jury panel consisted of three eminent personalities in the field from U.A.E., namely Antony Bernard Martis, Monica Valdar and Edwin Arun Carlo.

Antony Bernard Martis, belongs to Bendur Parish and is an accomplished Musician, currently serving in the capacity of Music Teacher at a renowned Indian School in the U.A.E., motivating many young budding talents to refine their skills.  He has had a long fruitful career back home and was a part of Wilfy Rebimbus’ troupe in the early years.  Being noted Choir Leader at Bendur Parish, he had played active role in the Choir during Pope’s visit to Mangalore in 1986.

Monica Valdar, belongs to Loretto Parish, in Bantwal, and she is a noted singer & presenter, currently pursuing her dream project “Desert Flowers” providing a right kind of platform for the aspiring artistes and suitable break to demonstrate their talents.  As Singer she was a part of many Musical shows back home at Don Bosco Hall, Mangalore, etc.  She has sung in Melwin Peris’ troupe and her scope of singing is not limited to Konkani only.  Besides Konkani, she sings in other languages as well such as English, Kannada, Hindi, etc.

Edwin Arun Carlo, belongs to Agrar Parish, in Bantwal.  Music runs in the family blood.  His father Henry Carlo was an all-rounder in the Music arena and has had a band with seven members for almost 18 years. Like father, Edwin Arun Carlo, too engaged in running a Band in U.A.E., called “Sweet Melodies” and actively involved in promoting Musical shows in the capacity of Musician and Arranger.

Apolinaris D’Souza – recipient of title “SALMAUM RAYACHEA KULLYECHO SANGHEETH SARDHAAR” meaning “Musician par excellence of the tribe of King Solomon” was the main man behind the success of GOVM Season 3 Muscat Auditions. He with his vast exposure as singer, composer & lyric writer, choir leader, Key Board player, composer & publisher of books on most popular devotional hymns & songs, producer of many audio CDs on most popular devotional hymns, active role in cultural, stage & musical shows, best trainer for aspiring achievers in stage competitions, adjudicator for reality shows and many more, fully utilised all his skills to give professional image to the show.  Oswald D’Souza, an equally accomplished Sangeeth Guru, supported the move as a team to achieve the goals.

In male category the following emerged as winners for the semi-finals:

Morvine Quadras
Peter Issac D’Souza,
Ambrose Ivan Moras,
Zino Micheal Saldanha,
Vincent D’Souza,
Stanislus D’Souza.

In female category the following emerged as winners for the semi-finals:

Flavia Castelino,
Maria Pramila D’Costa,
Josma Henna Rodrigues,
Reena Shareen D’Souza,
Flavia D’Souza,
Astrin Virginia Agness D’Silva

Finally, Monica Valdar, rocked the stage with her favourite number “Daryacha Daryacha Lahranni” and her magic of singing kept the audience spellbound fully enjoying every bit of the rendering.  Monica Valdar, in her message to the audience, appealed the community to avail of opportunities provided by the MCCP and refine their skills as winning every competition need not be the goal of every participant.

Edwin Arun Carlo, in his speech appealed to the community to teach Konkani to their Kids and speak Konkani at home as otherwise our mother tongue “Konkani” will not survive.

Ambrose Ivan Moras, delivered the vote of thanks.  All the three judges were honoured with mementoes. At end of the show, Meal packs were served to gathering.

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