Pics by Dayananda Kukkaje

Daijiworld Media Network

Mangaluru, Nov 17: Soulful Konkani music reverberated at Jeppu Church Grounds here on Sunday November 16th, bringing alive the memories of legendary singer Konkan Kogull Wilfy Rebimbus. Jeppu Parishioners successfully organized the ‘Wilfy Rebimbus Memorial Konkani singing Competition’ for the fourth year.

The success of the last 3 years had a tremendous impact and the crowd turnout was much more than expected. Approximately around 1000 Wilfy’s fans witnessed this unique competition. The grand finale of Wilfy Rebimbus Memorial Inter-parish singing competition held at Jeppu Church grounds here on Sunday November 16 not only took the audience through a memorable journey of Wilfy's songs, but also gave a glimpse of the immense talent in store in the Konkani music world.

The programme started at 5.30 pm sharp with the voice of the Legend in a prayer song, ‘Namo Namo’. Fr Nelson D’Almeida, parish priest, Jeppu welcomed the Chief Guest of the evening Walter D’Souza Nandalike, the well renowned judges Fr Denis D’Sa, Corrine Rasquinha and Wilson Olivera, all sponsors and every one present in the audience.

21 songs, all composed by Wilfy Rebimbus were presented by the 30 finalists to win the most coveted title. After a tough battle that lasted three hours Cascia parish won the champion's trophy.

Earlier, Fr Nelson Dalmeida, parish priest of Jeppu Church, Fr Joseph Martis, rector of Jeppu Seminary, Fr.Lawrence D’souza, Director & Manager of St Joseph Workshop, Chief guest, Daijiworld Managing Director Walter Nandalike, Henry D’Souza, Angelore, Meena Rebimbus, Vishwas Rebimbus, Charleen Rebimbus and Roger Rebimbus, Jacintha Alfred, Corporator, Sr .Sylvia Fernandes, Superior, Infant Mary Convent, Jeppu Parish Council Vice-president and Secretary paid a floral tribute to the legendary singer the late Wilfy Rebimbus.

The competition was organized with three purposes - to pay tribute to Wilfy, to provide a platform to budding singers and relive Wilfy's songs, and as a fundraiser for the less fortunate.

Cyril Gregory Sequeria (C G S) Taccode, the compere for the evening kept the audience engaged and entertained in his inimitable witty style. Mrs. Philomena D’silva, vice-president introduced the judges Fr Denis D’Sa, Corrine Rasquinha and Wilson Olivera.

The competition started with the 10-15 years category and went on to the above-16 years category. The tracks for the evening were beautifully composed by Shinoy Joseph.

Jeppu parishioners too entertained the audience with several dance performances at different stages of the competition. ‘O bele’ song was beautifully choreographed by Shaila Saldanha and performed by the budding talents of Jeppu parish. Nach Moja Bangara and Maja Maar dances were beautifully performed by the Jeppu Stars.

Chief guest, Walter Nandalike in his address remembered his close association with the legend and lauded the Jeppu Parish Priest Fr. Nelson and the Parishioners for conducting this competition. He requested Fr. Nelson to take this to a higher level and promised to get rupees One Lakh sponsor for next year to support this event.

Wilfy’s Volume 45 – Gharak Sobhai Bhurgyanchi was released by Walter Nandalike. He thanked Meena Rebimbus for giving him this privilege to release Wilfyab’s CD and said this was a great moment for him in his life to release the legend’s CD. He fondly remembered his childhood days when Wilfy and troupe had come to his hometown, Belman to perform and as a child he sat down and enjoyed the Nite and watched Wilfy, Meena, Prem and Babitha perform.

Meena Rebimbus with her beautiful melodious voice sang the title song of the newly released CD - Gharak Sobhai Bhurgyanchi composed by her dear husband, late Wilfy Rebimbus describing the happiness children bring to a family and the responsibility of the elders to train them and mould them.

Before the results were announced, Fr Denis D’Sa in his strong address to the participants said, “All who participated today are winners, coming up and performing on this platform itself is a great achievement. But please remember, you are judged on your today’s performance, you may be the best singer but how you performed today is what we have seen and judged, so please do not be discouraged if you haven’t got a place. Don’t loose heart, tomorrow you will shine and be the top somewhere else with you continued practice. You have called us to be the Judges today, and you believe in our judgment and therefore you must respect us. Please do not be like Sarita Devi, the boxer in the recent olympics who did not respect the judgment and gave back her medal but be like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid who at 99 walked out respecting the Umpires decision.

"Have a good Sportsmanship spirit, accept the decision of the judges, we are just like you humans and ours is a collective decision given without any bias. Secondly, there is a big mis-conception of how tough the song is and how complex we make it with our singing style we will win the competition. NO. A simple song can fetch you a prize. Your presentation, quality of voice, rhythm and overall performance of that day can make you win with the easiest song sung with a good feeling. Please remove the thought , if a song is tough it is better, sing any song but sing it with feelings and put in your best and you will always be a winner in the hearts of all those who listen to you.”

Vote of Thanks was given by Laveena D’Dias and CGS, Taccode was felicitated by Fr. Nelson D’Almeida for his continued service to Konkani and particularly this singing competition. Olwyn Miranda announced the results.

The funds raised from the event will be utilized to meet the medical and educational needs of the less fortunate parishioners.
The entire programme was conducted systematically. The charm and impact that Wilfy Remimbus created through his songs and music was proved by the presence of the 1000 plus crowd till the end of the program.

Winners:

Boys (10-15)
Elton Pinto, Bajjodoi
Frenith D'souza, Cascia
Jaison Lobo, Bondel

Girls(10-15)

Delicia Rodrigues, Valencia
Prithuma Monteiro, Vamanjoor
Adeline Rose Pinto, Angelore

Mixed Duet(10-15)

Lisha Pereira & Delicia Rodrigues, Valencia
Annalisa D'silva & Minola Saldanha, Bondel
Adeline Rose Pinto & Krupa Maria Rasquinha, Angelore

 Gents(above16)

Anil Rupesh D'souza, Cascia
Rainal Sequeira, Cordel
Gavin Emmanuel Menezes, Derebail

Ladies (above 16)

Primrose Pinto, Derebail
Clarita Lobo, Bajjodi
Viona D'souza, Cascia

Mixed Duet(above 16)

Dr.Vinola Mascarenhas & Joel Mascarenhas, Milagres
There was a tie between
Joywan D'souza& Deona Pais, Angelore & Llewellyn Peter Lobo & Primrose Pinto, Derebail

Married Couple

Dr.Vinola & Savil Mascarenhas, Milagres
Lara & Vincent Mathais, Cascia
Irene & Anil D'cunha, Cordel

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