Doha: Mangalore Cultural Association (MCA), a renowned community group aegis to ICC, Doha, Qatar celebrated its decennial year with an entertaining evening with GVOM-season 6 semi-final round at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Qatar on Friday, September 21.

The programme began at 4 pm with the MCA theme song sung by MCA’s committee members.

As many as 12 best voices of Qatar conquered the hearts of Konkani music lovers in the city. In the female category Rhea Aranha, Eva Wilma Pinto, Christle Noella Pinto, Freeda Monteiro, Melita Lobo, Colette Nazareth and in male category Alphonse Dsilva, Naveen Pinto, Naveen Dsouza, Clement Fernandes, Jeevan Rayan Ferrao and Jason Dias enthralled the audience with their best performance in the first round. From female category Eva Wilma, Christle and Colette moved to the second round of the semi-final and in male category Clement Fernandes, Alphonse Dsilva and Jason Dias moved to the second round.

Ace Mangaluru musician Joswin Pinto and Pappan, who scored the music for most of the ‘musical nites’ as well as albums of the late Wilfy Rebimbus, joined the local Qatar artists to enthral the Konkani music lovers inside the hall.

The most difficult task of selecting the two best voices among the 12 was handed over to the 3 eminent music professionals from Mangaluru, young musician Suraj Noronha, renowned singer Joy Mathias Rai and composer, singer and musician Alwyn D’Cunha, fondly known as Valla Mestri. All the three were flown in from Mangaluru for this special occasion.

The judges chose Chistle and Clement Fernandes as the winners of the semi-final of GVOM-season 6 from Qatar who will move into the final round of GVOM, which will be conducted this November at Kuwait.

Renowned MC Danny Correa compered the whole event with his versatile command over Konkani language.

Meanwhile, a small stage program was conducted. Mr Hemanth Kumar Dwivedi, first secretary of Information, culture and Education, Indian Embassy in Qatar graced the occasion as the chief guest and ICC president Milan Arun and Daijiworld Media founder Walter D’Souza Nandalike was the guest of honour of the evening. MCA President Veena Rebimbus Pais and Vice-president Clement Saldanha escorted the advisory board committee members Felix Lobo, Wilfred Fernandes and Jerry Pinto along with guests to the stage. President Veena Rebimbus Pais delivered the welcome keynote address.

As MCA announced earlier, MCA Kala Puraskar -2018 was bestowed on renowned Konkani artiste Konkan Maina famed ‘Mrs.Meena Rebimbus during the event for endless service to Konkani music. MCA secretary Hema Fernandes read out the citation. Meena has sung more than 2000 Konkani songs and hymns in Konkani and has also lent her voice to all 47 musical albums as well as 5 devotional albums of Wilfy Rebimbus and more than 250 Wilfy Nites in India, Canada, US, Qatar, UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain etc.

Meantime Meena expressed her gratitude in the form of song, and the entire audience in the hall rose on their feet and gave a raucous applause in respect to the living legend of Konkani Music world.

Speaking on the occasion Hemanth Kumar appreciated MCA for its selfless service towards the society and its real mission of promoting Konkani culture and language by conducting singing competitions along with other cultural activities. Meantime, Hemanth also not forgot to Congratulate Meena Rebimbus for her great achievement in Konkani Music world.

Milan Arun expressed her gratitude for extending an invitation to her to the decennial celebrations of MCA and recalled her close bond with Konkani and Mangaloreans.

Vice president clement Saldanha proposed the vote of thanks. Cyril Crasta compered the stage program and Jovita Pereira compered the award functions.

Meanwhile, MCA felicitated past Presidents Hareld Lobo and Arthur Pais with mementoes for their endless service. MCA also felicitated Gladson Almeida, Cyril Crasta and Walter Nandalike for support from the first day form of community.

Qatar Konkani singers and previous GVOM runner-up winners Preema Pinto, Rupert Lobo, Sana Britto and Carol Dsouza entertained the audience with a few Konkani numbers. Meanwhile, the scintillating performance of Sana Britto and the new voice of Qatar Melrick D’Souza stole the hearts of the music lovers. All the numbers joined by the marvellous dancers of Team Cornel on the stage specially flew in from the Mangaluru.

‘Doha Dancing Squad’ Arvin Marshal Pais, Carol, Andrea and Sean Fernandes performed the song ‘Yo Re Pavsa’.

‘Expressions famed’ Comedy Trio of Alwyn Andrade, Sujatha Andrade and Stephen Lewis sent the audience into peals of laughter with their rib-tickling comedy acts. They were first time flown in especially from Udupi for the show and well remarked on audience laughter.

Symphony Qatar provided the sound system. It was a complete blend of musical extravaganza. The gala evening came to an end with a sumptuous dinner hosted by Mangalore Cultural Association on the occasion of its decennial celebrations.