Report: Priya Saldanha
Pics by Joy Roshan D'Silva (Impressions Photography)
Kuwait, Sep 20: In a professionally organized Kuwait segment of Gulf Voice of Mangalore Season 4, Shaila Lobo from Milagres, Mangalore and Morvin Quadros from Barkur have entered into the finals in female and male category respectively. The winners will contest for coveted title of Gulf Voice of Mangalore Season 4 to be held in Muscat on November 7 this year.
Gulf Voice of Mangalore (GVOM) Season-4 semi-final was organized by the founder of 'Gulf Voice of Mangalore' Youth Recreation Centre (Rising Stars) on Friday September 19 at American International School from 5 pm. GVOM is considered to be the biggest Konkani reality show in the Middle East.
As the clock struck 5 pm the curtains opened with the countdown music. Dubai's popular compere, singer, stage artiste and GVOM Season 1 runner-up Dony Correa who was host for the evening made a grand entry with a self introduction and soon after the organisers Lawrence Pinto, Louis Rodrigues, Wilson Saldanha, Rita Rodrigues along with Daijiworld founder Walter Nandalike and John Paul Fernandes, a great supporter of GVOM inaugurated the event by lighting the lamp. The GVOM theme song was played which was followed by a prayer dance by Preeti Suvarna, Susan Saldanha, Kenisha D'Costa, Ashley Bothelo and choreographed by Mabel Suvarna of Desi Strikers.
The semi-finalist male and female pairs walked up to the stage holding hands as Musiz Collective gave a wonderful music. Judges Adrian Gomes, Anitha D'Souza and Prashanth Raj were welcomed to the dias with flower bouquets and were handed over the judging sheet by the orgnisers.
Lawrence Pinto officially welcomed the audience with his speech which was soon followed by the competition for the 12 participants Renita Raina D'mello, Kavitha Noronha, Marina Veigas, Nirmala Machado, Shaila Lobo Sunitha D'Sliva, Rilson D'souza, Amith Menezes, Morvine Quadros, Hywel Pinto, Roshan Olivera and Marcus D'Almeida. Judges were escorted to the stage and the semi-finalists were felicitated with mementoes.
Walter Nandalike was welcomed to the dais with floral bouquets for the release of Adrian Gomes Instrumental CD Volume 4. Well-known musician Andrian who was also part of panel of judges, have released three volumes of his instrumental albums in the past.
Main sponsor of the event Gulf Cables and Electrical Industries Co and Wire Control were felicitated with memento and bouquets. Sponsors of the event were Caesars Group of Restaurants and Gulf Bank, co-sponsers Helen Pinto, Land Traders Builders and Developers, Sinnemar General Trading & Contracting company, Khalil Bahman & Partners, Wrap it Movers & Diyab Mohd. Hajii were also felicitated with mementoes and bouquets.
Joe D'souza and Glady Noronha were felicitated by Fr Noel Almeida and Fr Melwin Dsouza on this occasion for being the judges for the auditions which were held back in May 2014. Lawrence Pinto honored Raymond D'sa who is a supporter of sports and social work for Konkani in Kuwait.
After intervals, the cultural part of the event started with a video presentation which took the audience down a memory lane with highlights from the past 3 seasons. Entertainment part commenced soon after the presentation with Anitha D'souza singing Bebdo Ghov with Desi Strikers Preeti Suvarna, Susan Saldanha, Kenisha D'Costa, Apeksha Khashap, Jaspreet Kaur, Suman Saldanha, Ashley Bothelo and Kendrick D'Costa performing a unique Punjabi western dance and the song by Prashanth Raj Ye Nari Ye for which Desi strikers performed a Spanish dance appreciated by all. Audience laughed their lungs out for the jokes written by Lancy Rodrigues and acted by Stephen Machado, Anil Menezes, Renny Menezes, Lucy Arhana and Rajesh. Visiting artists Anitha D’Souza, Prashanth Raj, local singers Gladys Lorena (GVOM winner 2010), Orson D'Souza (GVOM Winner – 2012) rendered beautiful numbers like Bebdo Ghov, Yego Mary Gadhya Mereri, Swapnanth Doscha Mujya Raya, Ye Chedwa Tuzho Mogh Haven Kela, Bhognanth Lhaar Utlaan, Ye Nari Ye, Manglurchen Chedunani Goenkar Chedo.
The main attraction of the event was Mubarak Al Rashed Al Azmi a Kuwaiti who sang the Konkani song “Mog tuzo Kitlo Ashelo”, which was an all time super hit and created history. As a surprise, the second part was sung in Arabic which made the song even more beautiful. The crowd was overwhelmed with joy listening to a perfect Konkani accent and strongly requested for an encore. Looking at the response from the audience compere Dony asked Mubarak to sing the chorus along with crowd. The audience gave a standing ovation to Mubarak, who became the superstar of the evening after his successful song presentation. The organizers dedicated the song to its composer, the late Wilfy Rebimbus.
Vote of thanks was proposed by Rita Rodrigues. The organizers of the event along with Walter Nandalike felicitated the judges Anitha Dsouza, Adrian Gomes and Dr Prashanth Raj. Wilson spoke a few words on multi talented Dony Correa the Compere of the day and felicitated him with Memento. Desi strikers Chelograper Mabel Suvarna along with the dancers, Lancy Rodrigues along with his team were also felicitated with mementoes. Musicians Kiran Gonsalves (leader - keyboard), Ronald Rodrigues (drums), Joy Fernandes (rhythm guitar), Kiran Sunny (bass guitar), Allwyn Fernandes Dubai (lead guitar), Prashantha Pais (violin), Joyston D'souza (congo) were felicitated by Wilson Saldanha and Rita Rodrigues.
Walter Nandalike in his address lauded the enthusiasm of Kuwait Konkani audience who sat glued to the chair for almost 6 hours of top class entertainment. He said, "Today is indeed a historic day for Konkani, as a Kuwait national sang a Konkani song which was witnessed by over 1200 people; looking at the people’s response and atmosphere I am previleged to be part of this historic moment." He commended the hard work put by the two founders Lawrence Pinto and Louis Rodrigues and also team members Wilson Saldanha and Rita Rodrigues.
The most awaited time then arrived with the announcement of Shaila Lobo and Morvine Quadros as the finalists by the judges was welcomed with a huge round of applause and cheer from the audience. The winners were presented with flowers, decorated with sashes and trophies by organizer Lawrence Pinto, Louis Rodrigues and Walter Nandalike.
The audiences were glued to their seat with the nonstop entertained of music, dance and jokes. The sound, lightings and stage with giant LED was eyecatching effort by CAMCO Global Events. Music by Muzik Collective was excellent and worth complementing which took the show to a professional standard. The addition of popular music composer and guitarist Allwyn Fernandes Dubai was unexpected and gave a special flavor to the show. It was an unique and first time experience to Kuwait audience to witness him playing music.
Dony Correa who himself is a singer, actor and MC really did justice to show with his fluent high level comparing. In one sentence the event was memorable and will stay in audience heart and mind for a long time.