Pics: Kevin Rodrigues
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (WD)
Udupi, Oct 30: A large crowd witnessed the 14th edition of the inter-parish Udupi diocesan-level Konkani singing competition held at St John the Evangelist Church hall, Shankerapura here on Sunday October 29.
Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi won the overall championship while St Lawrence Church, Moodubelle and St Antony Church, Kuntalnagar were the first and second runners-up, respectively.
Fr Ferdinand Gonsalves, parish priest of St John the Evangelist Church, inaugurated the competition by lighting the lamp, in the presence of Fr Valerian Mendonca, chancellor of diocese of Udupi, Fr Vincent Cohelo, principal of St John the Evangelist PU College, Shankerpura, Fr Kiran Nazareth, director ICYM Shirva deanery, Sr Precilla, superior, Shankerpura convent, Mark Vaz, vice-president of the parish pastoral council, Clara Mendoca, secretary of the parish pastoral council and also ICYM Pangala animator, Nihal Dias, president of ICYM unit, Pangala and Ashmitha D'Souza, secretary, ICYM unit, Pangala.
In his inaugural address, parish priest Fr Gonsalves said, "When words are put together, they form a sentence, when a sentence is given meaning, there forms a poem, when tune is set to a poem, there forms a beautiful song, and when the song is sung in a mesmerizing way, it impresses the listeners. If word is the language of mind then song is the language of heart, it consoles the people in grief, comforts the lonely and grants patience to the strugglers. Singing is a wonderful talent; there is no limit of age, religion or language in singing. This is a small attempt to bring out such hidden talents. We are here to promote our Konkani language; this helps us to build up a cordial relationship with different parishes in the diocese. This is our 14th singing competition; with the experience of 13 years we are here to present the talents from Udupi diocese. This year we have started singing competition for children below 10 years. May this day be a memorable event to the people present here.”
Nihal Dias welcomed the guests and the participants.
Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi diocese presided over the programme. Fr Valerian Mendonca, Fr Vincent Cohelo, Fr Royson Fernandes, assistant parish priest of Pangala church, Fr Edwin D'Souza, director, Youth Commission, diocese of Udupi, judges of the event Shilpa Cutinho, Kulshekar, Roshan D’Souza, Angelore, Lloyd Rego, Taccode, Roni Crasta, Kulshekar, Zeena Nancy Periera, Angelore, Robin John Sequiera, Vamanjoor, Sr Precilla, Mark Vaz, Clara Mendoca, Margarette D'Souza, Victor Mendonca were present at the valedictory ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, Fr Valerian Mendonca, said, "Participants from 21 parishes of the diocese have come here and presented their talents in this beautiful environment of Pangala parish. I congratulate the parish priest, parishioners and the members ICYM of Pangala parish on making this event a success. I also congratulate the winners. New singers, composers and the instrumentalists are born due to such events. May God grant them grace to be successful in the singing field in future.”
In his presidential speech bishop of Udupi Dr Gerald Lobo said, "I am happy to note that this year ICYM members has included children below 10 years in this competition, as per my suggestion last year. I congratulate the ICYM unit on this wonderful event. May this competition grow in the coming years and enrich our Konkani language. I always say our Udupi diocese is rich, be it in education, social or political field. We have many examples of people who have bought glory to our diocese at the international level.
"Many have participated in the competition today, it is not important to win but it is important to participate. Through participation we learn new things and enrich our talents. This stage has given opportunities to many budding singers. Let us use our singing talent to praise God and receive blessings from him," he added.
Sponsors were felicitated on the occasion. Around 21 parishes from the diocese took part in the competitions.
Fr Ferdinand Gonsalves thanked the ICYM unit for organizing the event successfully. He also thanked the parishioners and the sponsors for their support towards the event.
Oliver D'Sa compered the valedictory programme, Joyal Nithin Castelino welcomed the gathering and Ashmitha D'Souza proposed the vote of thanks.
Results
Under 10 Category
Solo - Boys
First: Sohan Alva , Pangala
Second: Lenon Cornelio, Udupi
Third: Elvin Saldahna, Moodubelle
Solo - Girls
First: Siona Martina, Kalmady
Second: Sandrilla Lobo, Moodubelle
Third: Delicia Mascarenhas, Udupi
Group
First: Pangala
Second: Udupi
Third: Moodubelle
Under 15 Category
Solo - Boys
First: Alwyn Rodrigues, Byndoor
Second: Varun D’sa, Pangala
Third: Sion Martis, Udupi
Solo - Girls
First: Sweedal Dias, Byndoor
Second: Aney Clerta Mendonca, Pernal
Third: Treenal Pinto, Attur
Group
First: Udupi
Second: Moodubelle
Third: Byndoor
Above 15 Category
Solo - Men
First: Rolwin Brian Quadras, Moodubelle
Second: Annson Menezes, Brahmavar
Third: Ashwin Rodrigues, Byndoor
Solo - Ladies
First: Marvel D'Souza, Kuntalnagar
Second: Shaila Fernandes, Udupi
Third: Nisha Fernandes, Mukamar
Duet
First: Shon Auston Mendonca and Susan Andra Mendonca, Kuntalnagar
Second: Marvel D'Souza and Shaila Fernandes, Udupi
Third: Joy Fernandes and Jovita Mendonca, Moodubelle
Group
First: Udupi
Second: Kuntalnagar
Third: Barkur
Overall Championship
First: Udupi
Second: Moodubelle
Third: Kuntalnagar