Media Release

Doha, Jul 4: Mangalore Cultural Association, Doha Qatar conducted its 5th Voice Workshop recently at the Wyndham Grand Regency Hotel’s Meeting Room at 3 pm.

The programme began with the Association’s theme song. MCA's general secretary Sandeep Noronha gave a brief introduction on the activities of the association which is working mainly for the uplift and enhancement of the local talents. Year after year, MCA has organized various voice workshops conducted by renowned masters of the music world sharing their different experiences to help the Mangalorean singers residing here to bring out the better musician within them. This time it was a workshop with knowledge and touch of Hindustani classical music.

The advisory member of MCA, Wilfred Fernandes greeted and welcomed the resource person of the workshop Roshan Martis with a bouquet. President Arthur Pais applauded the achievements of Roshan Martis in the field of Hindustani music which makes the community proud of his representation in this field. Later, the stage was handed over to Roshan Martis.

Roshan has been a Hindustani classical music teacher / guide / musicologist (vocal and instumental) since 1996. He is Sangeet Visharad in Hindustani Classical music – vocal and instrumental from Akhil Bharatiya Gandharv Mahavidhyalay, Mumbai.

Roshan conquered the hearts of the enthusiastic singers present in the hall with his vast knowledge in this field. In the first part, he taught them various breathing exercises which would help them to prepare their body and mind before they present their song. Also various sargam exercises to help them enhance their voice and singing quality were taught and practiced. In the second half, Roshan brought forward various techniques and explanations about how to perform to the best of one's ability. It included stage appearance, presentation of the song, body movements and posture while on stage, holding of the mike and various other important aspects of presenting a song. The time was short and there was lot to grasp for the participating audience.

It was a very educative and informative workshop with a good feedback received from all participants. MCA thanked Roshan for sharing his vast knowledge with Qatar’s Konkani singers and also made arrangements to continue the session for the next day for those who were very keen to learn more about Hindustani music and Roshan willingly came forward to provide his full assistance to them.

Over all, it was a very beneficial workshop which was gifted by MCA to the local singers who deserve a lot for keeping alive their singing talent, Konkani culture and Konkani music within them and also in this part of the world even with very less opportunities available.

MCA advisory member Felix Lobo, former president Harry Lobo, some of the executive committee members and over 33 talented Mangalorean Konkani singers residing in Qatar attended this workshop.

MCA will host the semi-finals of GVOM-4 Qatar on September 26 at the DPS MIS auditorium. Entry will be free with invitation passes which will be available for collection with MCA executive committee members in the month of August. More details will be announced later.