Doha, 25 Sep, 2014: Stage is all set for the Semifinals of the Gulf Voice of Mangalore - 4 Qatar Chapter. The Qatar’s best 13 are well prepared and awaiting for the 26th September to set the Al Ghazal stage on fire. It’s going to be a tough competition as stated by the MCA’s organizing team and well qualified Judges are on their way from Mangalore. The MCA’s GVOM team has done their best to select the best 3 judges from Mangalore well experienced, Qualified and Capable to choose the finest 2 voices to represent Qatar who will compete with the best chosen voices from Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia.
The eminent Judges for Qatar Semifinals:
Fr. Stany Tauro
A great musician cool and calm as his nature. He learnt music in St. Joseph’s Seminary Mangalore. Played Guitar for seminary Choir for 4 years. Has conducted Church Choirs in Parishes and places where he served like Urwa, Milagres, Fr. Mullers Charitable Institutions. He has composed many Hymns, songs and a mass. Fr. Tauro has prepared and trained groups for singing competitions conducted by Konkani Natak Sabha, Mangalore. He has twice judged Inter Parish singing competitions conducted by Konkani Natak Sabha Mangalore. He had long served as Administrator in Fr. Mullers Charitable Hospital and Homeopathy college. Currently is the Parish Priest of Shirva Church.
Dr. Prashanth Raj
Studied Medicine at Govt Mediacal College Bellary and n at present practicing at Vamanjoor. Trained in Hindustani vocals and sung in more than100 Albums of Hymns n Songs in Konkani n Kannada. Co produced one Hymn Album ’Thujya Gharanth’ composing all the tunes in that album. Dr. Prashanth has 2 hits in Konkani movie Padri. Taken part in many inter school, inter collegiate Singing competitions at State Level n National Levels. Won First Place in solo singing on 3 consecutive years at Inter Parish Singing Competition. Given shows at Bahrain & Dubai and Awarded by Konkani Kutamb,Bahrain and FAMAD PERNAL Dubai. He has been the Judge for semifinals of GVOM 3 at Dubai in 2012. Recently performed in Abu Dhabi to for KCO’s Annual Meet.
Ashith Pinto
Has been a sound engineer for 8 years at Sandesha Digital Studio Mangalore and has recorded over 500 albums, documentaries, jingles etc. for all the Konkani Legends and budding artists. He is a bass guitarist and played for more than 200 musical shows and more than 180 music albums with eminent Konkani music personalities. He has composed music for 10 music albums, one of which was awarded the best Konkani Album at the Global Music Awards in 2009. Has been playing Guitar for over 16 years. Has worked as a guitar tutor and has trained many students. Presently working at Technicolor Bangalore as a Quality Control (QC) Engineer.
Cyril Gregory Sequeira- CGS Tacode
The comparer for the evening is none other than MCA’s own Cyril Gregory Sequeira popularly called as CGS taccode.
A well known writer in Konkani who has written several stories, poems and humorous for the past forty years. His column in Rakno weekly named “pugyeto” was very familier among the Konkani pople. His more than 25 books released among Sister Shobha, Dukam and kuniyegarachi khun are the novels. He has written many humorous books pugyeto, pokana, bulbule, sulsule are few to name and his new humour “thamde gule” will be released on this occasion. Written 12 social, comedy and radio plays. Worked as a sub editor in Rakno Weekly and as a editor for kanik and Umalo papers. He has received Goa academy award for his book “ Dukam” Konkani sahity academy award for Sulsule and also he has honoured with Daiji Dubai Literary award. He was worked in Dubai and Qatar for few years. Presently he is having a real estate business in Mangalore. He is also the MCA’s founder member and worked in the Executive committee for the initial 2 years.
Award Presentation
Catherine Rodrigues
This Occasion will mark the presentation of MCA Kala Purashkar-2014 to prominent writer Catherine Rodrigues, Katpadi
Catherine Rodrigues, Katapadi is a multifaceted personality. She is not only a writer in Konkani, Tulu and Kannada but also involved in many other activities related to the above languages. She was the former ‘Upa-pradahana’ of Katapadi Mandala Panchayat and present vice-president of Katapadi Church Pastoral Committee. Her Konkani writings have been published in periodicals. She won several prizes for Konkani short stories. Born in Katapadi of Udupi District to John & Magdaline Rodrigues (the late), had her education in Katapadi, Pre- University course from SVS PU College, she has a Masters Degree (M.A.) in Sociology from Mysore University and is currently running Preethi Tutorials in Katapadi.
Catherine Rodrigues has been a prolific author in Konkani, Tulu & Kannada, a theatre director and social activist for over three decades. A number of her short stories, articles and poems have been published in various periodicals, magazines and special issues. Serialized Novels: ”Mon Lasthana”, “Kogul Gaythana”, “Devachem Bhurgem”, “Thulasi”, “Shimpiyenthlem Mothim”, “Aaj thaka, phalyam thuka”, Prizes:”Charuvo”, “Ek phod Dukra Maas”, “Bensam” short stories have won “Daiz short story Prize, “Sathem” short story and “Vhalo” drama have won Daiji Dubai Decennial Prize, “Saarim” short story has won Konkani Kutam, Bahrain Decennial short story award. Catherine Rodrigues has written 12 dramas in Konkani and have been enacted on stage, each one several times. “Pauluchi Kitapat” drama has won Konkani Bhasha Mandala One Act Play Competition. Presented a short story before the invited audience at Vishwa Konkani Kendra in December 2009 in the programme organized by Sahitya Academy, New Delhi under their interactive scheme “Meet the Author”. She has much more of literary works done in Kannada and Tulu. For all her achievements MCA proudly bestows the MCA Kala Puruskar – 2014 on her and The Award is consisting of Rs 1,00,000, a shawl, citation and a memento.
Along with the GVOM Semifinals, the evening will also mark various performances from local talents Rupert Lobo and Preema Pinto. They will join the Guest judge Dr. Prashanth Raj to perform some beautiful songs.
Qatar’s famous dance group D4Dance will perform some mesmerizing dances to Konkani numbers.
Rupert Lobo
Preema Pinto
D4 Dance troupe
D4 Dance troupe
Joswin Pinto Ace musician from Mangalore will join Qatar’s “Singing Birds Doha” to support the Semifinalists with foot-tapping splendid Music.
It’s a four hours nonstop entertainment with excitement and organizers have arranged for snacks for all attendees.
The program will begin at 4:45 pm sharp. A request to Doha audience to be present by 4:30 pm and not miss any part of the competition.
Entry is free but with entry passes only. Hence kindly reserve your seats now. Entry passes are available with MCA committee members.